Baseball Display At State Museum Open

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana State Museum presents three large lobby displays showcasing dozens of artifacts from Indianapolis' 125+ year history of professional baseball, including 15 years at Victory Field. These "Treasures Cases" regularly feature unusual artifacts and objects from the museum's extensive collection, as well as objects on loan from partner organizations, such as the Indianapolis Indians.

This collection of baseball artifacts comes largely from the personal collection of long-time Indianapolis Indians' season-ticket holder Kerry Smith and includes items from the late 1800s through present day. Highlights include an Indians game-day program from 1917, original 1931 seats from Bush Stadium, the last home plate from 1996 Bush Stadium, various uniforms and historic baseball cards, and a 1956 contract between the Tribe and Roger Maris for $600 per week (he later broke Babe Ruth's single season home run record and was two-time American League MVP).

In addition to the Treasures Cases, the museum is also paying homage to baseball with a vintage baseball game, circa 1860. The game will be played on the front lawn of the museum on Aug. 20 at 1 p.m., part of the museum's Muster in the Park event, celebrating Indiana's Civil War legacy.

At Muster in the Park, visitors are encouraged to relive Indiana's role in the Civil War, stepping back in time with soldiers and civilian re-enactors as they bring the 1860s to life. They can train for battle alongside soldiers and interact with the equipment they used. Visit soldiers while touring the camp and see how women contributed to the war effort. Play the popular games and listen to the hit music of the time. Talk politics of the day with Abe Lincoln and learn why Indiana went to war in support of the Union.

The Indiana State Museum is located in White River State Park in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. It is Indiana's museum for science, culture and art, offering a place where you can celebrate, investigate, remember, learn and take pride in Indiana's story in the context of the broader world. Even the building is a showcase of the best Indiana has to offer in architecture, materials and sculpture. For more information, call 317.232.1637 or visit indianamuseum.org.