National Museum Day!
Where else can you see Egyptian mummies, a mastodon, artwork from world renowned artists, and historical artifacts all located in one quaint community? Only in Richmond and Wayne County, Indiana of course! There is no shortage of things to see and do on National Museum Day!
National Museum Day is Saturday, September 22nd! Unleash your curiosity, dive into new experiences and gain a new appreciation for the wonders of history! Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for an educational and enjoyable place to visit, we’ve highlighted some of the FREE opportunities for you to enjoy!
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If you are looking for vibrant and unique artifacts, look no further than the Wayne County Historical Museum! With a normal admission charge of $7 for adults, and $4 for students, you can explore this exceptional collection for FREE, only on Saturday, September 22nd! Prepare to be awestruck by their impressive Richmond made automobile collection, a 1929 airplane manufactured in Richmond, two log cabins, a 3000 year-old mummy beautifully preserved in his exquisitely painted coffin and much more! There are thousands of things to see here and this is an invaluable trip that is bound to be the highlight of your day! Did you know, Richmond has the only 2 mummies on display in the entire state of Indiana? Locate the 2nd one, just 2 miles west at the Joseph Moore Museum!
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The Joseph Moore Museum of Natural History is situated on the quiet campus of Earlham College. Collections gathered from past Richmond teacher Joseph Moore feature a variety of unique artifacts, informative exhibits and a mesmerizing skeleton collection including a mastodon, a giant beaver and an Allosaurus!! Befriend one of the Earlham students or staff and perhaps a trip downstairs will end with the chance to pet a live reptile! Also located downstairs is one of the only two mummies in all of Indiana! Also happening on Sept. 22nd is the museums Open House, with eight interactive stations, live demonstrations and more. The Joseph Moore Museum’s collections are vital assets for Wayne County region and offer a free learning experience you won’t receive anywhere else!
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Just 3 minutes east of Joseph Moore Museum lays the Richmond Art Museum! The only independent art museum to be housed within a public school, Richmond Art Museum is mind blowing with their brand new state-of-the-art renovations! The astonishing permanent collection of 19th and 20th Century art offers a family experience for both the young and old. One of the renowned leaders of the impressionism movement, William Merritt Chase, has his piece (and many others) “Self Portrait in 4th Avenue Studio” on display at the museum. This exact art piece recently toured the world as part of an exhibition focused on Chase’s achievements spanning his four-decade long career! The Richmond Group artists along with Childe Hassam, Victor Higgins, and the Overbeck sisters are all represented at the museum as well. The new renovations create a calming, bright atmosphere where you’ll want to take your time exploring!
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In 1911, four sisters established the Overbeck Pottery in their home in Cambridge City, Indiana. At a time when most pottery was copied from European and Japanese art, they believed that “borrowed art is bad art”. The majority of their work stemmed from their surroundings and included painted porcelain; redware; imported vases, Art Nouveau and Art Deco; and figurines modeled on real-life persons or “grotesques” which Mary called “humor of the kiln”. You can view a collection of this unique pottery at the Museum of Overbeck Art Pottery offering free admission year round!
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Located in the small town of Greensfork sits an 1848 Federal-style home turned museum. This unique local gem features an array of photos, historical items, genealogy information, and more! Outside the museum sits a replica of a small post clock, dedicated to the people of Clay Township, it was a ten thousand dollar project started in 2001! The Clay Township Museum offers free admission year round, donations appreciated.
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For the sports lover, Wayne County is home to the Indiana Football Hall of Fame. Dedicated to the sport and its Indiana heroes, the Football Hall of Fame features displays and memorabilia from Indiana High School, Collegiate and Professional athletes. This fun museum is housed in a historic post office building built at the turn of the century! You can find football photographs, mementos, uniforms, and equipment and much more located here and you can view it all for free, year round! Donations are appreciated and help to establish scholarships and endowments for outstanding sports individuals!
Along with these free opportunities, there are boundless museums offering engaging fun throughout Wayne County! Explore even more located in Wayne County!
Where will your curiosity lead you to on this National Museum Day?
