Indiana Historical Society Opens New Exhibit, The Electric Railway: Indiana’s Interurbans
March 17, 2025
The Indiana Historical Society is proud to announce its newest exhibit, The Electric Railway: Indiana’s Interurbans, which will celebrate the history and importance of Indiana’s interurban electric railway system. The exhibit opened on Saturday, March 15, at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center.
Interurbans, electric railways running within cities and between cities and rural areas, were mostly used for passenger travel but also offered freight services for businesses to ship items. In Indiana’s “interurban era,” occurring from the early 1890s to 1941, interurbans were a bridge between old transportation and the new modern forms of transportation.
Additionally, interurbans brought electricity to small towns and farming communities across Indiana. People in the country could easily ride into cities like Indianapolis, and vice versa, meaning they had access to leisure activities and other opportunities not previously accessible to them. Interurbans also had a personal touch for the riders as they regularly rode with the same conductors and motormen, creating a sense of familiarity on the so-called “People’s Railways.”
“We are thrilled to open The Electric Railway: Indiana’s Interurbans at the Indiana Historical Society,” said Jody Blankenship, President and CEO of the Indiana Historical Society. “Indiana played a pivotal role in the rise of interurbans, shaping the landscape of transportation for Hoosiers and Americans alike. We’re excited for guests to explore the interactive exhibit and immerse themselves in this key chapter of our history, celebrating Indiana’s profound impact on the interurban era.”
In this exhibit, there will be several interactive spaces, including a room dressed as the interior of a rural interurban station from the early 20th century with text and hands-on discovery. Guests can also engage with props and audio stations to discover ways in which interurbans affected the everyday lives of Hoosiers. On occasion, a live actor will be available to tell personal stories of interurban travel. There will also be a re-created interurban car, where guests will “ride the interurban,” which involves a dynamic multi-sensory experience and an immersive video presentation complete with an interurban conductor and passengers. By looking out the window, guests can see the passing Indiana landscape, feel the movement of the car and hear the sounds of electric rail travel.
Near the end of the exhibit, guests can sit and listen to recorded interviews of people with stories of the past and present of mass transit in Indiana.
The Electric Railway: Indiana’s Interurbans opened on March 15 and runs through Aug. 1, 2026. The exhibit is supported by Thomas and Sue Hoback, and Ayres Foundation, Inc.
The Indiana Historical Society is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free parking is included with admission and is accessible from New York Street.
