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In 1683, Elias Ashmole, an Oxford graduate and true polymath, , the modern world's first public museum. Stocked with his private collection of artifacts, curios, and special scientific equipment, the goal of the museum was to create a center for practical research and the advancement of knowledge. This, Ashmole felt, was a goal "very necessary to humaine life, health [and] the conveniences thereof."

According to figures from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, there are in the United States today. Their collections encompass everything from modern art, like at the MoMA in New York City, to mustard, like at the National Mustard Museum in Middleton, Wisconsin, and everything in between.

Museums are anchors of our communities. The reports that museums support more than 725,000 jobs and contribute upwards of $50 billion to the U.S. economy each year. Three-quarters of Americans agree that museums are an important part of our civil society and have an important role in promoting knowledge and civic engagement.

Beyond their educational and economic significance, museums are just plain fun. Whether you have a developed interest in natural history or just want to learn a little bit more about funerary history (the National Museum of Funeral History in Houston), there's sure to be a museum that strikes your interest. There's simply nothing else quite like spending an afternoon learning about famous figures, arts and crafts, military history, or what else you fancy.

Here, compiled a list of the highest-rated specialty museums in Indiana on as of Aug. 13, 2025. Keep reading to see what unique museums are in your home state. Then, make sure to plan a visit. With many museums facing funding cuts due to the current administration's efforts to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services, who's to say how much longer these treasure troves will be available to us?

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#30. Early Ford V-8 Foundation & Museum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (57 reviews)
- City: Auburn
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#29. Dallara IndyCar Factory

- Rating: 4.1/5 (79 reviews)
- City: Speedway
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#28. Museum of Miniature Houses and Other Collections

- Rating: 4.6/5 (60 reviews)
- City: Carmel Hamilton County
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#27. Hall of Heroes Super Hero Museum

- Rating: 4.1/5 (54 reviews)
- City: Elkhart
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#26. National New York Central Railroad Museum

- Rating: 4.4/5 (80 reviews)
- City: Elkhart
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#25. Model T Museum

- Rating: 4.9/5 (106 reviews)
- City: Richmond
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#24. Grissom Air Museum

- Rating: 4.6/5 (105 reviews)
- City: Peru
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#23. Old Lighthouse Museum

- Rating: 4.4/5 (99 reviews)
- City: not available
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#22. Hesston Steam Museum

- Rating: 4.6/5 (92 reviews)
- City: La Porte
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#21. Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy

- Rating: 4.8/5 (146 reviews)
- City: Vincennes
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#20. Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University

- Rating: 4.4/5 (115 reviews)
- City: Bloomington
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#19. Howard Steamboat Museum & Mansion

- Rating: 4.7/5 (96 reviews)
- City: Jeffersonville
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#18. Rotary Jail Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (78 reviews)
- City: Crawfordsville
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#17. National Automotive and Truck Museum (NATMUS)

- Rating: 4.3/5 (147 reviews)
- City: Auburn
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#16. Seiberling Mansion

- Rating: 4.8/5 (71 reviews)
- City: Kokomo
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#15. Reitz Home Museum

- Rating: 4.6/5 (62 reviews)
- City: Evansville
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#14. Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library

- Rating: 4.5/5 (74 reviews)
- City: Indianapolis
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#13. Minnetrista

- Rating: 4.4/5 (105 reviews)
- City: Muncie
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#12. Indiana Medical History Museum

- Rating: 4.6/5 (128 reviews)
- City: Indianapolis
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#11. Santa Claus Museum & Village

- Rating: 4.3/5 (136 reviews)
- City: Santa Claus
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#10. Indiana Military Museum

- Rating: 4.9/5 (156 reviews)
- City: Vincennes
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#9. NCAA Hall of Champions

- Rating: 3.7/5 (282 reviews)
- City: Indianapolis
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#8. Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum

- Rating: 4.3/5 (442 reviews)
- City: Columbus
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#7. French Lick West Baden Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (164 reviews)
- City: French Lick
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#6. RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum

- Rating: 4.5/5 (471 reviews)
- City: Elkhart
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#5. Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum

- Rating: 4.9/5 (645 reviews)
- City: Auburn
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#4. Indiana State Museum

- Rating: 4.4/5 (537 reviews)
- City: Indianapolis
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#3. Studebaker National Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (628 reviews)
- City: South Bend
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#2. The Eiteljorg Museum

- Rating: 4.6/5 (880 reviews)
- City: Indianapolis
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#1. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

- Rating: 4.6/5 (2,908 reviews)
- City: Indianapolis
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Madison Troyer, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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