Reviews of Indiana World War Memorial (Mall)

Kyle Hayes

Great stop if you wondering downtown Indy. Free admission and full of military history. Interior is art deco style. The museum covers all the wars and conflicts involving the US military (Revolutionary War to the present conflicts in the Middle East), with a basement full of interesting artifacts. I highly recommend that visitors check out the shrine room, it's very moving.

Lisa Pajkos

This has to be one of the most breathtaking war memorials that I have seen. this war memorial rivals those in Washington DC. It is absolutely breathtaking and informative. Chalked full of real artifacts, and informative details, there is nothing this memorial leaves out! This is definitely worth the trip for any individual, student, wanting to know more about our country's history.

Paul Garland

An amazing sense of both the history and horrors of war. While not exactly "young child" appropriate, it is worth bringing them just to see the Shrine. Also, info (and relics) of the USS Indianapolis, the World Trade Center and the Pentagon attack. Be warned, LOTS of stairs, but so very very moving as to be 100% worth going.

Eamonn Flynn

Absolutely a great honour to see to all the service men and women . A must

Steven Toth

Excellent (free $) museum that remembers all of our fallen soldiers and documents the historic battles and conflicts. It's well worth a visit and it's only a couple of minutes walk from the center of town. It's a beautiful building and hard to miss from the street.

Christopher Lacy

This a great museum to visit, free admission donations are appreciated. They have exhibits that span Indiana's involvement in our history. With new ones being completed as you're reading this review. Including a large selection of artifacts including, flags, weapons, uniforms, documents, medals, and many other interesting things. These are not reproductions but actual items from history along with the stories of the people who lived the history. Bring your camera, as there is a lot to see.

Dan Skvie

Best museum I ever been. Amazing.

Michelle Lycett

This memorial is very well done. It is a must see if your in Indianapolis. Just a heads up they are doing so renovations on the outside, but they are still opened.

Jeff Buhrt

Wow. I had never been there and didn't realize how nice it was inside. A lot of history related to Indiana.

Aaron E

Amazing experience. An educational look at history. A great memorial.

Sylvia Moya

Great experience. My kids who are 7 and 10 really enjoyed it. It's a beautiful museum. The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars was bc I felt there was no organized flow. It seemed difficult follow a historical timeline due to the room changes and sudden change in war.

Michael Patience

If you're into history in any degree, you'll need several hours to go through this memorial. There is so much information, on the various wars and conflicts, that it may take days to read everything here. When visiting you must be sure to go to the sanctuary, all the way at the top. It's a very reverent, almost sacred setting. There are quite a few stairs here so it's not wheel chair / handicap accessible.

Laura Miller

This Museum had so many interesting things to see from different wars. If you like war stuff or just museums in general it is a good one.

Julius Mouse

This is one of the best places to take kids on a budget. Totally free museum with the entire history of Indiana's involvement in wars. Clean facility with friendly staff and some amazing things to see. I strongly suggest anyone to take a couple hours and wander the place. You won't be disappointed

David Duffany

A great place to see if you're in town.

Rebecca Townsend

This is THE place to go if you only have time to make one stop in the Hoosier state! Beyond special. Beyond deep. This is about who we are, who we have been and who we want to be! This is about peace and victory and fellowship. About service, sacrifice and courage. This is about dreams that we won't be doomed to repeat history because we've taken time to understand it. The memorial's Jennifer Watson shared a geologic history with me about the stone, which our allies shipped from all over the world as a testament to unity in fighting for right: Italy, Northern Africa, Canada, I'm looking at a portrait of Serbian Field Marshall Radomir Putnik. The Shrine Room contains portraits of Allied generals from the US, Britain, France, Italy and Belgium. Before appending the self-tour guide to the Shrine Room, I'll leave off with a teaser... You'd never guess what they've got stashed in the basement! Now, here's some info staff provided me today: The Shrine Room The framed lists lining the walls of both staircases leading up to the Shrine Room contain the names of Indiana’s World War I Veterans. The names with crosses next to them are those who were wounded in action, while the names with stars next to them are Hoosiers that were killed in action. At the top of the stairs you enter the Shrine Room. The Shrine Room is 110 feet tall and 60 feet square and was constructed with materials from all over the world, symbolic of the global nature of WWI. In the center of the room, raised on a stepped marble platform is the Altar of Consecration. This altar commemorates the sacrifices made during WWI. On the sides of the altar are inscriptions by Royal Cortissoz, who also authored the inscriptions on the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. The top of the altar features the American Golden Eagle, the Shield of the United States, the Wreath of Memory, the Palms of Victory, and a gold ribbon with the 1923 Pledge of Allegiance. This version of the Pledge varies slightly from today’s version. Hanging above the shrine is the 30 foot tall garrison flag, the largest national flag used by the U.S. Army. The garrison flag is usually flown only on national holidays and special occasions. Suspended over the flag is the Star of Destiny, made entirely out of crystal. This eight pointed star, representing the eight points of a compass, and symbolically provides a guiding light home for the troops. Moving out from the Altar, you will see sixteen 40 foot tall columns, each made from red Vermont marble. Each corner of the room contains flags from nations who assisted the Allies during the war. Some flags represent countries that no longer exist. In each cluster, the American flag is at the center. Tucked between the marble columns on the east and west walls of the Shrine Room are six oil paintings portraying the national military commanders from the major Allied Powers of WWI: General John Pershing (American Expeditionary Forces), Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig (British Expeditionary Forces), Maréchal Ferdinand Foch (French Generalissimo of the Allied Forces), General Armando Diaz (Italian Army), King Albert I of Belgium (Belgian Army), and Marshal Radomir Putnik (Serbian Army). The white sculpted frieze around the room tells the story of America’s involvement in WWI. On the north wall, the narrative begins with United States’ entry into the war in 1917. The east and west walls represent the war itself, and the south wall represents the peace settlement. Above the frieze, you will see the blue stained glass windows casting light into the room, as well as blue lights shining down from the stepped ceiling. The Shrine Room was carefully designed, with close attention paid to every detail. Each color in the room represents something different. The blue lights and the blue stained glass windows represent freedom. The white in the star and in the frieze represents peace and purity. The red in the marble columns represents the ultimate sacrifice made by those WWI soldiers who never made it home. When combined these colors also are also asso

Richard Stauffer

Great place to see the city from above....took the stairs, challenging but doable

Ricky Owens

Simply an amazing place to be. What more can I say. =)

RF Dude

An absolute GEM and must see in Indianapolis! The building design, as well as the contents are stunning. The place is surrounded by nice green space. No issues parking.

Robert Kelley

Was disappointed to see it was closed and absolutely nothing indicating when or if it would re-open

Michelle Beck

The museum is incredibly educational. There were so many cool things to see. I went on a Sunday and only saw 2 other groups of people, which was nice because I like to take my time and read all the things in museums. It took me about 2 hours to go through it.

Brittany Bowling

Very interesting experience. Educational and emotional.

Kristina Michaud

Was under construction at the time, but was a nice walk around the park.

Kyle Capron

First it is free. Second plan on spending time reading and watching videos at displays. A history of Indiana's contribution to the war effort from the Revilutionary War to our on going conflict in the middle East.

Helena Black

Excellent museum! Will have to come back! A lot of history!

Faith A. Evans

I'm a N Indy native so this is a memorial that I've seen my entire life and there's not much to be said. But it is kept very clean I can complain about it visually eother. There used to be so many homeless people downtown and now I don't see as many I pray they are alive and getting on their feet.

Karina Sam

Visited by accident, we we're just walking through. What a great museum! The Shrine and the other sections are really cool. You are looking at history at it's best! In the middle of downtown surrounded by beautiful parks! Best of all it's free!

Ryan Miller

One of the more 'iconic' monuments in Indianapolis this is just one of many must sees when downtown. The architecture is amazing with the bronze doors and overlooks a mall that faces towards the main library. This entire area is great on warm days just to relax or enjoy the mall. Be sure to go up the stairs and take in as much of the history that is here....truly an amazing part of dedication to American History.

Ed Jernigan

This was absolutely amazing! I can't believe it was free with the amount of information, history, and artifacts on display. If you decide to visit, go to the basement first and end the tour going upstairs. I spent several hours reading the displays and didn't manage to read nearly half of what was on display. I would return without hesitation and encourage those history buffs to check this out. They could easily charge admission for this outstanding exhibit.

Ted McKenna

Nice exhibit, and will have to visit again once construction is completed.

Austin Graff

The Indiana War Memorial is THE monument to see in Indy and it's hard to miss. It anchors the downtown and can be seen from all parts of the city. The architecture of it is impressive and you can even go inside and up during on season. My toddler loved climbing the steps up to it and I enjoyed photographing it.

Clemens Heller

Not really obvious from the outside, but inside there is a really interesting museum, about American war history. Also there is a very impressive shrine upstairs, that you should definitely visit. There is no entrance fee.

Joe Walker

This place is really nice the inside of the building is beautiful and the displays all have great information telling it's hole story

Glenn Blastow

Loved this museum. When you walk upstairs, prepare to be overwhelmed. This is one museum I will always remember and so glad I got the opportunity to visit!

Michille Rutheford

Doin work on the outside of the buolding right now. But it is beautiful inside. A must see

Adam Wheeler

An ongoing restoration project is clearly visible outside the building (scaffolding, etc). Beautiful building and imagery on the outside of the building. Yoga classes occur on the steps outside.

Ken P

The building was based on a Greek mausoleum that was one of the seven wonders of the world. Ten minutes in the Shrine Room will remind you of what it means to serve a greater cause. It's open seven days a week and it costs nothing. If you're visiting Indy, go. If you live in Indy, why haven't you already gone?

nicolias stephens

Awesome memorial. Makes you wanna learn about the history.

Reginal St Swithers

Cool save for the transient populous camped about en masse.

Gary Rolfes

Really nice place to meet up with friends in the summer time, to hang out and read a book or just to get some fresh air. The memorial is beautiful and the sound of the fountain is soothing. Located between the public library and the circle. It's a cool spot to skate as well, I don't know if it's against the rules and if cops or security will show but I've been lucky so far lmao.

Amber Anderson

Beautiful! The auditorium and shrine rooms were absolutely beautiful! The museum was well kept and informative

Mike Wainwright

The Museum is awesome. The grounds are beautiful. Thank you for helping our future remember the sacrifices that were made for our freedoms,

Mark Wisehart

Glad to see this amazing place is getting a face lift. Have loved this place since I first saw it in 1974. It’s history as a building in Indy is pretty cool. A lot of artifacts from Wars gone by and it could use some updating. My favorite part is up the stairs. It must be like the Holy of Holies... very sacred place. Not too sad, incredibly patriotic. Very special.

Kenneth Clonch

The stone needs to be cleaned It would look a lot better

George E. Reid

I've marched on these steps for years as a Boy Scouts and during the President JFK'S brother's visit also during my High School R.O.T.C. Cadet days, of GWHS. This is my home town. AND I'M ABLE TO SHARE it With my fellow residents.

Skud Missal

I can't say much about the inside since i haven't been, but there is a poke nest or two here, plus a gym and a few pokestops. This spot and memorial Park are both worth a visit for an avid P-Goer.

Airin Wesley

One of our nation's greatest historical landmarks. And what a great honor it was for me to be able to see it in person. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone who is interested in our nation's history.

David Franklin

This is one of the best war memorials in the country. The history and architecture are really stunning. There is actually a military museum in the basement that is great. There is also a grand alter room on the top that takes your breath away. All in all, a very worthwhile place to visit.