The Indiana Medical History Museum is one of the most unusual places to spend an hour in Indianapolis. It occupies the Old Pathology Building, a two-story laboratory complex on the grounds of a former state psychiatric hospital, where doctors once studied disease and trained in the science of the mind and body. Today the rooms are preserved much as they were, so you see the working spaces rather than a gallery of cases. The guided tour takes about an hour, begins on the hour and is limited to eight people, which makes it an intimate, conversational visit rather than a crowd shuffle. You move through the old laboratories and rooms holding specimens, instruments and records that explain how medicine was practiced in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The tone is historical and educational rather than sensational, though the subject matter is frank. It suits curious adults, medical and history enthusiasts and older teenagers, and it is not designed for young children. Because tours run only by appointment on four days a week, it needs a little planning, but that scarcity is part of its charm.
Booking and cost
The museum is open Wednesday to Saturday, from 10am to 4pm Eastern Time, with tours on the hour from 10am to 3pm, and every tour must be booked in advance through the museum's schedule page. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and AAA members, $7 for students with identification and $5 for children under 18.
Groups of eight or more must book at least three weeks ahead. The museum is closed on New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and hours may be limited from mid-December to mid-January.
What to know before you go
The building has two floors and no elevator. Visitors who cannot use stairs can tour the ground floor and request a video tour of the upper floor, which is available in spoken English or American Sign Language. Human skeletons and preserved organs are on display and the subject matter may be disturbing for some, so think carefully about bringing young children.
Large bags, strollers and tripods are not allowed, and the door opens ten minutes before your tour, so arrive on time because lateness of more than ten minutes may mean rescheduling.
Finding it
The museum is at 3270 Kirkbride Way, west of downtown, and the Vermont Street entrance is closed, so follow the directions from Warman Avenue or Tibbs Avenue on the museum's visit page. A car or rideshare is the simplest way to reach it. Combine it with a visit to the Indiana State Museum or the Eiteljorg for a day of quieter indoor sights, and expect to be back in time for a late lunch.
What to expect
The experience
A one-hour guided tour of the Old Pathology Building, its laboratories and preserved specimens, in groups of up to eight.
Best time
Any Wednesday to Saturday morning, booked ahead, as tours run by appointment only.
How long
About one hour, starting on the hour.
Tips
Book online, arrive in good time, leave large bags and strollers behind and allow for stairs, as there is no elevator.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Curious adults, medical and history enthusiasts and older teenagers.
- Families
- Not suited to young children, as specimens and subject matter can be disturbing.
- Couples
- A memorable, offbeat hour for two.
- Pair with
- The Indiana State Museum, or lunch downtown.
- Time needed
- One hour plus travel.
Good questions
Do I need to book a tour at the Indiana Medical History Museum?+
Yes. The museum is open by appointment only, Wednesday to Saturday, so book your tour through its schedule page.
How long is the tour and how much does it cost?+
The guided tour lasts about one hour. Adults pay $10, seniors and AAA members $9, students $7 and children under 18 $5.
Is the Indiana Medical History Museum suitable for children?+
It may not suit young children, because human skeletons and preserved organs are on display and the topics can be disturbing.
Is the museum accessible?+
The building has two floors and no elevator. Visitors who cannot use stairs can tour the ground floor and ask for a video tour of the upper floor.
Where is the Indiana Medical History Museum?+
It is at 3270 Kirkbride Way, west of downtown Indianapolis. The Vermont Street entrance is closed, so follow the directions on the museum's visit page.
