The Indiana State Parks system was established in 1916 as a centennial gift to Hoosiers, and our state parks’ story is Indiana’s story. Our properties are filled with unique geologic features, historic homes and cemeteries. They are places where people gather for traditional arts.
History Topics
Hoosier History and Indiana State Parks is a series of 11 curriculum units available online. The units are for fourth-graders and their study of Indiana history but could be adapted for any grade level or informal education at home, or taught through scout organizations and other groups. Lessons meet state educational standards for English, science and social studies.
This PDF booklet contains special stories and features of Indiana State Parks for teachers, students and families. It provides an overview of the main messages that we interpret at each of our sites. It's a source of basic information about the natural and cultural resources at state park and reservoir properties.
A community’s arts and traditions help shape the events and offerings at neighboring state parks. Visitors from near and far can learn about not only the park, but also the surrounding communities, local people and other facets that make a place unique.
Indiana State Parks hosted a public archaeology event at Versailles State Park and invited students from area schools to learn about how archaeology can teach us about history and prehistory. Ball State University, through a National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund grant, showed the students some of the historic archaeological sites in the park. View the video on YouTube.
Centennial Celebration, 1916-2016
In 2016, Indiana turned 200 and Indiana State Parks celebrated a century of “making memories naturally” for visitors. When Indiana celebrated its centennial in 1916, Hoosiers received a memorable birthday gift—a brand new state park system. McCormick’s Creek became the first state park in the summer of 1916, and Turkey Run was purchased later that year. Today, the system has grown to 32 properties that hosts about 16 million visitors each year.
The centennial celebrations kicked off on Dec. 16, 2015, with special events across the state and the proclamation of Indiana State Parks Day by the Governor.
