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IHB > About Us About the Indiana Historical Bureau

Indiana Historical Bureau (map) - IHB@history.IN.gov for general inquries
140 North Senate Avenue, Room 130
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2296
317-232-2535
317-232-3738 fax

  • The Indiana Historical Bureau is located in Indianapolis in Room 130 of the Indiana State Library and Historical Building, just west of the State House.

  • Shop hours of operation: Open Monday through Friday - 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    Closed state holidays (including election days).

Contacts

Employment/Volunteer

Employment Opportunities: The Indiana Historical Bureau is not hiring at this time. 

Internship Opportunities: Through partnerships with other organizations and universities, the Indiana Historical Bureau offers internship positions for students. If you are interested in applying, please contact Pamela J. Bennett, Director of the Indiana Historical Bureau, at pbennett@history.in.gov or 317-232-2535.

Volunteer Opportunities: The Indiana Historical Bureau is always looking for more volunteers! For more information, please contact Ms. Bennett at the address above.

Purpose

The Indiana Historical Bureau provides publications, programs, and other opportunities for Indiana citizens of all ages to learn and teach about the history of their communities, the state of Indiana, and their relationships to the nation and the world. The Indiana Historical Bureau also administers the Indiana Historical Marker Program.

Mission statement adopted June 16, 1995 by the Indiana Library and Historical Board
Indiana Code IC 4-23-7.2: Chapter 7.2. Historical Bureau

History of the Bureau

The Indiana Historical Commission was created in 1915 to plan the centennial celebration of Indiana statehood in 1916. The Indiana Historical Bureau evolved from the Indiana Historical Commission.

The volunteer group of commissioners (as pictured) consisted of eight men and one woman. They hired a state pageant master to introduce the pageant movement to the state and an artist to design a centennial medal. They made it possible for a seven reel motion picture on the history of the state to be produced. The centennial celebration also renewed interest in the study of Indiana history.

Indiana Historical Commission - 1915

Indiana Historical Commission - 1915

(from left to right) Samuel M. Foster, Lew M. O'Bannon, Frank B. Wynn, John Cavanaugh, Samuel M. Ralston, Harlow Lindley, Chas. W. Moores, Charity Dye, James A. Woodburn.