Making Spirits Bright!

The Indiana Historical Society once again has the perfect way to brighten your family’s holiday season with our annual holiday tradition, Festival of Trees!

Presented by The Salvation Army, this year’s extravaganza will feature a winter wonderland with more than 75 elaborately decorated trees representing individuals, families and organizations from around Indiana. Eli Lilly Hall also features a massive, 30-foot centerpiece tree that is viewable throughout most of the building.

Also join us for:

- Caroling through the Holidays (presented by Citizens Energy Group)
- Display from the movie “A Christmas Story” (sponsored by Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre)

Scavenger Fun:

Visitors can also participate in scavenger hunts for the Elf on the Shelf or the Weihnachtzgurke (10 pickle ornaments hidden in trees throughout the building) — watch IHS’s social media channels for hints on locations.

Holiday Treats:

Throughout Festival of Trees, the Stardust Terrace Café by Jonathan Byrd’s will offer extended hours and additional menu options, including holiday-inspired treats and tasty specialty beverages for both children and grown-ups. Members receive a 10 percent discount on café purchases.

The Salvation Army Angel Tree:

Festival of Trees guests can be a part of this remarkable program by visiting the special Angel Tree in our Basile Welcome Center. A quick scan of an Angel tag with your mobile phone will allow you to adopt an Angel through an online adoption portal. Once you have your Angel’s wish list in hand, you can shop and return the gifts to one of three drop-off locations across Indianapolis.

Visit www.SalvationArmyIndiana.org/AngelTree to learn more about adopting Angels and volunteering with the Angel Tree program.

Schedule:

December 3, 2022

2022 Holiday Author Fair

Time: 12:00pm - 4:00pm

It's Our Favorite Book event of the Year!

Mix and mingle with more than 60 authors during the Indiana Historical Society’s annual Holiday Author Fair!

This event will take place Saturday, Dec. 3 from noon to 4 p.m. Admission to the author fair is included with general admission to the Indiana Historical Society.

Author Fair book topics will range from sports and biographies to youth historical fiction and politics along with, of course, a lot of Indiana history. IHS members will receive 10 percent off their entire Basile History Market purchase.

Guests are encouraged to purchase their admission tickets in advance. Admission includes IHS’s award-winning Indiana Experience and the Festival of Trees holiday exhibit, with more than 75 elaborate trees decorating the building.

Presented By Printing Partners

Below is a list of authors that are scheduled to attend. Schedule is subject to change.

Biography:
Douglas Dixon, Beyond Truman: Robert H. Ferrell and Crafting the Past
Greta Fisher, So Much Bad in the Best of Us: The … of John W. Talbot
Wes Gehring, Sydney Pollack
Fred Glass, Making Your Own Luck: From a Skid Row Bar to Rebuilding Indiana University Athletics
Kimberly Hoffman, The Red Coat: Giving and Gratitude During the Great Depression
David Humphrey, He Never Complained: Stories of an Everyday Man
Rita Rose and Patty Spitler, The Dog Who Saved My Life
Rudy Schouten, Linda – A Full, Happy Life
Dan Cleary, Wright Brothers: Then and Now
Ted and Becky Lilly, 3 Generations of Lilly Family in Indiana
Jane Ammeson and Rick Hofstetter, America’s Femme Fatale

Children/Young Adult:
Rob Harrell, Too Pig to Fail: A Batpig Book
Cynthia Argentine, Night Becomes Day: Changes in Nature
Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, The Good for Nothing Tree
Jen Tousey, Sarah had a Little Plan
Charlotte L. Brown, My Body is My Body: I have Rules
Helen Frost, Wait and See
Donna Griffin, Kindred Spirits
Denisa Nickell, Hanania Me and That Baby!
M.A. Koontz and Hailey Landreth, Something’s Strange at Camp Wonder Woods
Janna Matthies, Here We Come!
Jenny Medenwald, Bathe of the Queens- The Hellbound Trilogy #3
Talitha Shipman, Astrid the Astronaut: The Astronomically Grand Plan
Troy Cummings, Is This Your Class Pet?

Fiction/Poetry:
Diana Catt, Death Map
Michael Maurer, The Methuselah Gene
DJ O’Toole, Tidings: The Absolutely True Story of Christmas
Candice Sue Patterson, Saving Mrs. Roosevelt
Scott Russell Sanders, Small Marvels: Stories
Morgan K. Wyatt (publishing as MK Scott) and Scott Stamm, Late for the Wedding
Eric Yancy, Cottonmouth
James Alexander Thom, Fire on the Water
Dark Rain Thom, Warrior Woman
Norman Minnick, The lost Etheridge: Uncollected Poems by Etheridge Knight

History:
Steve R. Barnett, Walking in the Founder’s Footsteps: Sigma Gamma Rho in Indianapolis
Ray Boomhower, Essays from Black History News and Notes
David Heighway, The Hidden History Of Hamilton County
W.C. Madden, Ghosts of North Central Indiana
Ronald May, Our Service, Our Stories, Vol. 3
Stewart Rafert, Miami Indians of Indiana (25th ann. Of publication)
Janis Thornton, The 1965 Palm Sunday Tornadoes in Indiana
Kevin Tower, Early French Lick West Baden Valley Hotels, Clubs, and Boarding Houses
Ken Turchi, Looking Forward, Giving Back
Paul Wonnings, Indiana’s Role in the Civil War
Linda Gugin and James E. St. Clair, Indiana Court of Appeals
William Ringinberg, New History Of Taylor University
Danny Gonzalez and Nicole Martinez, Hoosier Latinos
Lisa Hendrickson, Burning the Breeze: Three Generations of Women in the Am. West
Kenneth Schoon, Pullman
Amy Beers, Indianapolis Beer Stories
Joseph Pete, Secret Northwest Indiana

Non-fiction, Sports, Nature:
Ellen Munds and Beth Millet, From Stage to Page
Dan Canon, Pleading Out: How Plea Bargaining Creates a Permanent Criminal Class
Nathanael Pilla and Scott Namestnik, Wildflowers of the Indiana Dunes National Park
Julia Whitehead, Breaking Down Vonnegut
Carroll (Man) Ritter, Magnificent Trees of Indiana
Michael Homoya and Scott Namestnik, Wildflowers of the Midwest
Tim Mulherin, Sand, Stars, Wind, & Water: Field Notes from up North
Missy Haston and Steve Haston, From Capes to Aprons
Sigur Whitaker, Racing with Roger Penske: A History of a Motorsports Legend
David Woods, Indiana University Olympians

Buy Tickets

12:00pm - 4:00pm: Educator Lounge at Author Fair

All educators are welcome to join the IHS Education team at the Educator Lounge. Break away from the Author Fair, bring your purchases and connect with other educators about your unique classroom needs as you check out IHS resources and pick up some goodies!
Don’t forget – educators always receive free admission to the Indiana History Center!

Location: 4th Floor, Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center

December 10, 2022

10:30am - 1:45pm: The Sweet Experience

The Sweet Experience is returning to the Indiana Historical Society’s Festival of Trees! Join Clara and her friends for a morning of sweet treats, holiday crafts, a story reading, and vignettes from the Nutcracker. Participants will have the opportunity for an exclusive photo with Clara and the Nutcracker as well as a reserved VIP seat at the Nutcracker vignette performance at 1 p.m.

This program is in partnership with The Dance Refinery.

December 16, 2022

5:30pm - 8:00pm: Good Cheers and Ugly Sweaters

Pre-registration closes on Thursday, December 15. Walk-in tickets will be available for $30 regardless of member or non-member affiliation. Designated driver tickets will remain at $15.

Don your gay apparel and join us for a special happy hour!

Wear your ugly sweaters or other themed apparel and enjoy sipping on complimentary local seasonal beverages, including craft beer, spirits, cocktails and more. Soak up the season while strolling through the winter wonderland of Festival of Trees and campaign to win the best – or worst – holiday attire.

There’s something for everyone at this 21 and older event!Ticket includes: tastings, a souvenir glass, hearty appetizers, and chances to win prizes throughout the evening.

Adult: $25 | IHS Member: $20 | Designated Driver: $15

Date: November 11, 2022 - January 7, 2023

Time:

Tuesday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: noon to 5 p.m.
Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20, 2022: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
CLOSED: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Location: Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, 450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202.

Tickets:

While Festival of Trees tickets may be purchased at the door, buying advance tickets is strongly encouraged.
Click here to select the date you want to visit Festival of Trees and buy your tickets today!

IHS members can take advantage of their complimentary admission benefit by reserving their tickets online. For tickets, information on in-building offerings, and a schedule of programs, visit www.indianahistory.org.

Click Here for More Information