Gov. Braun celebrates opening of new Indiana State Archives Building

Submitted by Office of Gov. Mike Braun

On Thursday, Sept. 24, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun celebrated the opening of the new Indiana State Archives building in downtown Indianapolis alongside members of the Indiana Department of Administration (IDOA), Indiana Archives and Records Administration (IARA), and project partners.

“Indiana’s history is an important part of America’s story, and this new State Archives building will ensure that story is preserved and accessible for generations to come,” Gov. Braun said. “As we celebrate 250 years of American independence, this is a fitting time to recognize Indiana’s proud history and invest in the records that will help future generations understand the people, decisions and events that shaped our state.”

Located at 350 W. Ohio St. on the Indiana Government Center campus, the new facility provides a permanent home for more than 200 years of Indiana history and was designed to meet the specialized needs of the State Archives and its collections.

The State Archives is Indiana’s official repository for state records of permanent historical value. Its collections include government, court, military, and land records, along with maps, photographs, and other materials documenting Indiana and its people.

“Delivering a facility like this requires thoughtful planning around both the needs of the agency today and how those needs will evolve over time,” IDOA Commissioner Jon Ferguson said. “We are proud of the role IDOA and our project partners have played in creating a home for the State Archives that will serve Indiana well into the future.”

More than 80,000 cubic feet of archival records have been relocated to the new building, including boxes, ledgers, microfilm, glass negatives, maps, and other historical materials. The facility includes four floors of archival shelving, as well as dedicated space for records processing, research, staff operations and public access.

“Archives preserve the evidence of our shared history and give us the opportunity to discover the past and use it in meaningful ways,” IARA Executive Director Chandler Lighty said. “This new facility gives us the environment and resources we need to care for Indiana’s most important records and make them available to Hoosiers today and well into the future. After years of planning and work to reach this point, it is incredibly meaningful to see the State Archives begin this next chapter.”

IDOA managed the capital project, with RATIO Architects leading the building design and Pepper Construction serving as construction manager. The purpose-built facility incorporates specialized features and building systems designed around the care, management and use of archival collections.

Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony included remarks from Gov. Braun, Ferguson, Lighty, and RATIO founding principal Bill Browne, followed by the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

The event also marked the debut of IARA’s featured exhibit, Indiana’s Foundations of Independence, 1776-1851. The exhibit highlights documents connecting Indiana’s early history and government to the nation’s founding as the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary.