GREENFIELD – A library card can certainly take you on adventures of the mind, but now it can even take you on an adventure to a museum.
The Hancock County Public Library announced this month that passes for the Indiana State Museum are available for checkout. The passes are also good for 11 additional Indiana Historic Sites across the Hoosier state.
The program is in addition to passes that were already available to the Indiana Historical Society, another museum in downtown Indianapolis.
More partnerships are on the horizon, including passes to the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art available in 2025.
The announcement attracted dozens of enthusiastic comments from the community on the library’s social media sites. Paul McNeil, adult services manager, said families are especially eager to get out and explore when the expense of museum tickets can add up.
“Go to the main information desk, and as long as it’s in, we can get that (pass) for the patron,” he said. “They’re not holdable – on a first come, first-served basis. They can check it out for a week and just bring it back.”
Passes are available at the Greenfield library, 900 W. McKenzie Road; and the Sugar Creek branch, 5731 W. U.S. 52, New Palestine.
McNeil said he’s been looking into attraction passes for the library for a while now. People moving into Hancock County have mentioned that their old libraries had similar programs.
McNeil said while many asked for the Indianapolis Zoo or Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, those partnerships are not available right now.
But he’s looking into more possibilities, including passes to attractions that are in Hancock County.
Checking out the card to the Indiana State Museum gives you the perks of membership for a week. If a family purchased their own membership while they were at the museum, they would get a 10% discounted rate.
It benefits the museums that are participating, he said, because people might see the value of a membership once they give it a try.
“It’s a really cool way (for families) to save money, but also get their organization out there,” McNeil said.
The passes to the Indiana State Museum have a one-week checkout period and are good for up to four complimentary general admissions to the Indiana State Museum and 11 other Indiana Historic Sites. Additional museum tickets are charged at the general admission rate. Special exhibitions and program fees are charged when applicable.
The museum in downtown Indianapolis features three floors of artifacts, collections and interactive exhibits, everything from mastodon bones to T.C. Steele paintings. For more, visit indianamuseum.org.
The pass also allows admission to these Indiana Historic Sites: Angel Mounds (Evansville); Corydon Capitol (Corydon); Culbertson Mansion (New Albany); Gene Stratton-Porter (Rome City); Lanier Mansion (Madison); Levi and Catharine Coffin (Fountain City); Limberlost (Geneva); New Harmony (New Harmony); T.C. Steele (Nashville); Vincennes (Vincennes); Whitewater Canal (Metamora).
The library also has passes for the Indiana History Center/Indiana Historical Society as part of the Local History Partner program. These provide free admission for two adults and four children per visit, free parking, and a 10% discount at the Basile History Market and the Stardust Terrace Cafe. One pass is available for a one-week checkout at each library location.
The museum, located on Ohio Street in downtown Indianapolis, features immersive exhibits on local history.
Current exhibits are on Hoosier basketball legend Chuck Taylor; Holocaust survivor Eva Kor; and the resistance of the Ku Klux Klan in 1924. The Cole Porter Room is a permanent exhibit devoted to the Indiana legendary songwriter. For more, visit indianahistory.org.
Dave Gray, director of the HCPL, said he’s glad his staff is always looking for opportunities for the community to experience attractions and learning. Several years ago, passes were available for Indiana State Parks. He’s eager to see what kind of opportunities will come in the future.
More information on the HCPL can be found at hcplibrary.org or by calling 317-462-5141.
