This is a nice little museum that is located on the campus of Dobbs Memorial Park. It is operated…read moreand maintained by the Terre Haute Parks Department. They have three exhibit rooms in the museum that displays artifacts, native American living quarters, animal skins, some Native American dress, pictures, Jewelry, a canoe and other items. Just outside the museum is an active Native American Heirloom Garden. They pack a lot of material into this museum and they have an attendant on duty. It was very informational. The intent of the museum is to educate visitors in the life ways of the native peoples of the Northeast Woodlands The museum is free to visit, but they gladly accept donations. Additionally, They host monthly Saturday programs that feature crafts and topics of interest to people of all ages. The museum is not very popular for some unknown reason. I was the only person in the museum the entire time I was there. They have ample parking available in the park that it is in, but it is a slight walk from the lots to the museum. The museum is pretty clean and has a restroom available. Groups and tours are welcome and they have guest speakers available to address the groups/tours. I like this museum and it is a nice addition to the park.

This museum is designed to collect and share the history of the regional Native Americans who once…read moremade the Terre Haute area their home. As the only city park museum of its kind in the Midwest, the museum doesn't have a huge budget and with admission charges being free (donations are gladly accepted), the museum relies upon donated exhibits to enhance its offerings. There are several rooms inside the museum for displays. I was surprised at the number of life size pieces like a canoe, a wigwam, a long-house, and full ceremonial costumes that were inside. There are also quite a few necklaces, daily tools, and other artifacts with plenty of labeling for identification. Outside, there is an heirloom garden which has preserved some of the natural plantings that were common to the local population. During my visit, the garden was in transition as the summer months approach, so I didn't wander through the garden. Overall, I was glad to see the park system take the initiative to preserve and archive the collection. The park has participated in a program that has digitized the images and information for sharing and future study. The museum opens at 10 a.m. on most days. If you get there early, there is plenty in the surrounding park to help you pass the time. Review #891

This is not "Abe Lincoln", but his father "Thomas Lincoln". They were owned by Abraham Lincoln and…read moredeeded to his father Thomas. There's a museum which talks about the time/place when Thomas Lincoln lived here - takes about 45 minutes. There are groups where it is set up with buildings and farm animals of the Thomas' Lincoln's time. His grave is just down the road. A key part compares two farmers of the time period. One is a farmer from the area that was interested in farming for profit with the latest technology and Thomas Lincoln, who farmed for the purpose of being a self-sufficient farm owner. There is an example of the homes of each type of farmer. We went in March; apparently there are tours during the summer. Ours was self-guided.

Came here on my way back from Casey and thought that this wasn't too far out of my way. Google said…read moreit was closed on Monday but it was indeed open. This place is free and you get to learn great history especially if you're not interested in driving out to Springfield. Staff here is absolutely friendly and knowledgeable. There's plenty of parking but I will say the upkeep of all the buildings isn't the best either, some things are rotted down horribly. There's plenty of cute animals as well to see as well. Great place to picnic at too. Please look out for ticks!

Great family-friendly museum with tons of hands-on learning!…read more We had such a great time at the Terre Haute Children's Museum! My kids are 2 and 3, and we easily spent about 2.5-3 hours exploring. There was SO much to do that we actually ended up spending most of our Terre Haute day here instead of making it to the other places I had planned. What I loved most was that the exhibits weren't just fun -- they encouraged kids to learn through play. There were opportunities to pretend to be construction workers, veterinarians and farmers, dig for dinosaur bones, explore engineering and physics, learn about seasons, and so much more. My kids especially loved the construction area, sand table, water play, pretend-play areas, Amazing Airways and the giant bubble you can actually stand inside! They also have a two-story treehouse, toddler area, Fit Gym, Fresh & Fit Market/Kitchen, and their new Wonders of the Wabash water exhibit. There are three floors, so there was plenty to explore. I also really appreciated that there were activities for different ages, although some features -- like the ropes course -- have height requirements. My kids weren't tall enough for that yet. Admission is very reasonable at $9 for ages 2+, with children under 2 free. They're also part of the Access Pass Program and offer Toddler Tuesdays. If you're visiting Terre Haute with kids, I would definitely put this on your list! We could have easily spent even longer here.

Great 3-story children's museum. It has a lot of quality interactive fun exhibits. Some need…read moremaintenance or updates but overall it was a great time. We especially loved the construction section. It had great hands on tasks dedicated to the trades- electrical, plumbing, tile laying, painting, wall framing, and brick laying. It was really cool. There is a nice farming section. A really big water table. Also a large tree house climbing structure and for the bigger kids a harnessed rope course. It was easy to spend 2 hours here. Great resource for the Terre Haute area.

DELIGHTFUL!! We visit West Baden every year, but have never visited the museum at French Lick! We…read moreare history buffs and truly loved the details of the past. The breadth of authentic , thoughtfully curated pictures and film was very impressive. The Circus miniatures are not to be missed. Kids would LOVE this! They will not believe that the Circus coming to town was a real thing!! I will go again next year. A new tradition!!

There's much more to French Lick, Indiana than I had understood and so much of it was spelled out…read morefor me through the displays and exhibits at the museum. Frankly, this museum is much nicer, informative, and engaging than it has any right to be. The very friendly docent on duty welcomed us warmly into the lobby and, after we paid our small admission fee, she took us through everything we needed to know about accessing the audio tour, the basics of the exhibits and I'm sure anything else that we had wanted to know. She was very friendly. The exhibits wind through the building with an early focus on the founding of the town. The major portions of the museum, however, are devoted to the flashier aspects that really shine of this small burg in the Midwest: the circus and laxative waters! Massive exhibits are devoted to the sulfur water that was an early cure-all which gave rise to the large spas that drove tourism to town. The most square footage is devoted to the huge, massive, enormous circus in miniature. My partner is all about miniatures and was totally engrossed in this display. And rightfully so; it is very impressive! Everything was above average for cleanliness, order, and functionality; which, if you've visited other small-town museums, you know isn't always the case. I left having a much greater appreciation for the town and its history!

The Wonderlab has been a childhood staple for me, for as long as I can remember. Now, I've gotten…read moreto pass that on to my nephew. This past week, we did a small staycation within the state, and we took a trip to Bloomington. We of course, had to do this while we were there. Luckily enough, I work in a partner company and got my discount to come in for the day. Then, we had a few others that were on the access pass. I will say that Ian was awesome checking us in. I even got to hear some tips, tricks, and fun facts! While it seemed smaller to me, it was still as fun, as I remember. Even with a few new exhibits. I wish I lived closer to come back more often, but this is one of my all-time favorite places in Indiana!

Since the Hoosiers did so well this year NATIONAL CHAMPIONS I thought of a great place in…read moreBloomington. The Wonderlab!!! It's a nice sized science of wonders in my opinion. They have a bubble room! It's awesome. A place where you can parachute little figure people over and over again. Shoot I laid down on a bed of nails once here. They have a huge climbing vine that you can climb all the way up to the second floor. But, you have to climb back down it doesn't exit on that floor. They have a cool water science area for kids complete with rain gear - which is optional do what you want ha. It's just a cool place. It's not too big and it's not too small. It the perfect sized science museum. They have the coolest gift shop! I still have my Wonderlab water bottle from years ago. If you've never been make a day of it!

Who doesn't love trains? Static displays, trains running through model layouts and even a train…read morecircling the room, inches from the ceiling, will grab your attention. The Historic Greenup Depot, built through community effort in 1870, is currently in the museum complex on the Historic National Road. The Depot building has served the St. Louis, Vandalia & Terre Haute Railroad, the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Penn-Central Railroad, and the Illinois Central Railroad. In its current location, the Depot brings to mind a bygone era when railroads brought Greenup many freight shipments and travelers. The main floor boasts the original waiting room, office fixtures and a model railroad depicting major periods of American Railroading. This depot is one of few constructed with second-story living quarters, currently beautifully restored in 1930's era decor.

Grouseland had the most extraordinary collection of Presidential autographs I've ever seen!…read moreWashington, Lincoln, Jefferson, Madison, and many more. All originals. The house itself is steeped in history and they've done a wonderful job with the restoration. The tour guides are very knowledgeable and friendly. The entire tour takes about 45 minutes and will give you great insight into the Harrison family as well as their way of life in the early to mid 1800s. If you like history (especially Presidential history) this is a very worthwhile stop.

I am a self proclaimed presidential history "nerd". I've read a biography on each president in…read moreorder (currently reading F.D.R.), and my bucket list includes visiting all their birth and burial places. I also make it a point to visit presidential libraries, national historic sites, etc. I've seen DOZENS of locations now, and I can honestly say Grouseland is - by far - one of the most impressive locations I've visited. The amount of authentic items dating back to William Henry Harrison is jaw dropping! Additionally, the collection of items not necessarily related to Harrison are breathtaking. For example, they own an impressive collection of real signatures as far back as Adams, Madison, and John Quincy Adams (to name just a few). The staff was fantastic. The day I visited, their computer system was down and they were unable to run my card for the entry fee. No matter, they let me get back with them later. Their volunteers are knowledgeable about their collections and items within the home. Can't say enough about this "diamond in the rough" presidential history site. I was truly blown away...

Both a History of Benton and Franklin County History both Good and Bad Worth the entry fee.read more

This 1905 Franklin County Jail Museum is a very interesting walk through Benton's history…read more Featuring one of the last public executions in Illinois of Charlie Berger, this museum has original noose, weapons, newspaper articles and other historical documentation. When you walk into the house, you enter a beautiful, classic early 1900s home. A very welcoming home with reconstructed living room and kitchen. Prepare to be surprised! It is only when you near the back of the house that you find the white, rusted heavy iron door. Open this door and you enter a cold, dark realm that even Tim Burton couldn't recreate. Perhaps a hundred years for rusting and paint chipping contributes to the overall gloom. These are the prison cells that inspire modern day fiction. All the windows have bars. And the view from the outermost window is of the gallows. These gallows have been recreated in the position they originally stood. There are multiple rooms of cells which you can enter and take photos of. Don't use the toilets, though. They are a bit old. :) Escape back into the semblance of normalcy of the house and head upstairs to take in additional Benton history. The normal bathroom is up there: very clean. When the Beatles FIRST came to America, this is where they played. The museum curator stated that she was a young girl when they arrived: "We had no idea who they were...They weren't known in America at the time, but we all hurried to get a look. We didn't end up seeing them though." There is civil war paraphernalia and an autographed photo of town local John Malkovich. I highly recommend this location! The curator is very knowledgeable and friendly. The location is a few miles off the nearby highway.

Great people good vibes laughter education just everything was good from my experience I would like…read moreto take other people with me

Loved the history!!! Such a great visit with my husband and his uncle! It really made his day! The…read moretrain was very cool as well as all the war history from this area. It was my first trip to Evansville and neat to learn about its past!