The Shrine Room of the World War I Memorial is indeed a sacred space. What I find amazing is that many people who’ve lived here for years haven’t even heard about this treasure, let alone visited. I’ve often said that if this building were in Washington DC, it would have a line out the door. But in Indianapolis yesterday, there was nobody in the room when we arrived. Perhaps it’s better that way. I’m certainly glad to be able to appreciate the space in quiet. These are the best pics from my little point-and-click camera, much better pics can be found here
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Walking up and down the steps I think is part of the process – to see that all of those young men made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom is very humbling. The shrine at the top is a place to really reflect on how much we have and to thank our soldiers.
I love this place. In the summer I will walk up the steps on the south side and read a book on the steps. It is a great view, and a peaceful place to read.
Each year I will have my high school students visit the monument. They always walk away amazed.
This really is a treasure that mot people overlook. Go check it out!
My father in law has put a lot of hours into help make the USS Indianapolis radio room come together. If you get a chance to check it out, its on the NE corner.
So much history contained within those walls
Neat! I actually noticed it for the first time ever on Sunday.
It is one of the best kept secrets in Indy. Whenever we have guests from outa town, it’s one of the places I take them. I havent been in several years though. Isnt there a great museum in the basement too? Pretty sure there is. Also the monument on the circle is good for visitors with the museum in the basement.
The history of the WW memorial is pretty interesting too. It was originally commissioned to reside in Washington DC, made with all Indiana Limestone. When the plans changed and Washington didn’t want it, they built it in Indianapolis. Did you know that DC is the only place in the country to have more war memorials and monuments than Indianapolis.
When I first moved here, I took a cab ride (cant remember where I was going) and the cabbie told me about the monuments. He also said it was important to know why that is. The building material used in most monuments is Limestone, and Indiana has the best Limestone. It’s what makes our water so hard and all the “lime” around our sinks and tubs.
If only the space around it was activated a little more – I think it could have the same impact it has had on you on many many others – especially on children who don’t know or understand that history or commitment.
There are many stories – like the one that led to the development of the radio room – that I wish could be told to more people. Sometimes attention gets confused with disrespect and that does not have to be the case.
Actually, i was first shown this memorial by my grandfather in 1949 when i was a small child, he was a world war one veteran of the marine corps, he never got over his young buddys dying for america. these days,i like to log on to find a grave .com and enter in france to visit the world largest cemeteries scattered across france, america lost several hundred thousand men, but england lost several million, in one battle that lasted more than three years (battle of the saume), actually the british general haige still holds the record for loosing more than 48,000 british soldiers killed in action in one day, for historians that use bablefische, you can understand th elanguage of i. i. linin as he talked russia into a civil war rather than continue to loose millions on the eastern front