Indianapolis, Indiana

September 12-13, 2017

Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library

We started our introductory visit to Indianapolis at the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library.  Vonnegut was an author Dave and Jane have both enjoyed.  The Library was small but fun.  It included an exhibit on Vonnegut’s biography (he grew up in Indianapolis), art by Vonnegut, a replica of the room where he worked, video clips, and a gift shop.

Billy Pilgrim is the hero of Slaughterhouse Five, Vonnegut’s first best-seller.  The mannequin pictured below is used to highlight Vonnegut’s descriptions of him.

Dave “at work” in Vonnegut’s study.  We wondered how he could avoid back aches using the typewriter from that chair.

A quote by Vonnegut is pictured below.  Jane was particularly taken with it as the president of her high school class is now a prominent U.S. senator. [She finds it more amusing than terrifying.]

Indiana State House

The Indiana State House was completed in 1888, using Indiana materials where possible, at a cost of $2,000,000.

The building is shaped like a Greek cross.  The central section features a dome and rotunda.

The rotunda is decorated with columns of different styles and eight  Carrara marble statues representing agriculture, art, commerce, history, justice, law, liberty, and oratory.

The wings off of the rotunda (forming the arms of the Greek cross) are atria with skylights, gorgeous stairs, and stunning light.

We saw the governor’s office (photos weren’t allowed there), and the chambers for the House, Senate (with its wonderful chandelier), and Supreme Court, pictured below in that order.

Indianapolis Scenes

The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument was dedicated in 1902 and was the first monument in the U.S. to be dedicated to the common soldier (from the Revolutionary through the Civil War).

Here is the State House reflected in the commercial building across the street.

And one of us thought this fall foliage “tractor” at Wal-Mart was worthy of recognition.

Indiana State Museum

This wasn’t our favorite museum, but we might have felt differently had it not been under renovation.  Still, we thought the following were interesting and memorable.

A unusual rock specimen composed of aragonite, dolomite/arkenite, and quartz.

The best example of a Conestoga wagon reproduction we’ve seen.

A corner cabinet made by Abraham Lincoln’s father Thomas.  It is cherry with white pine inlay.