In 1896 the citizens of Indiana provided funding for this 39-piece silver set for the USS Indiana battleship. It was designed and manufactured by Tiffany & Co and features the Indiana State Seal and an image of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.
The silverware was used for special occasions aboard the original USS Indiana, BB1 until its decommissioning. It later spent about nine years on the USS Indianapolis and was used by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt during his tenure.
Former Governor and First Lady Orr corresponded with the Navy, requesting to have the entire set returned to the state of Indiana. The Navy was very reluctant to do so because the silver was still serving an active fleet, the USS Nimitz after the USS Indiana was decommissioned in 1947. After a series of letters between the Governor and First Lady, the Navy saw to it that the entire 39-piece silver set was returned to the citizens of Indiana, and it is currently on loan from the Navy.
Most of the pieces are displayed at the Indiana Governor’s Residence, while the remainder are showcased at the Indiana War Memorial.
