Mar. 23, 2009 - TV station & race track

For Indiana history, we visited WISH-TV channel 8's studios in downtown Indy.  The kids got to see the newsroom:

and the studio:

This is the weather center.  Randy Ollis is sitting there on the left. 

Then we stayed to watch the taping of the noon new live.  We watched from an upstairs conference room.

When we left the TV station, we headed to Speedway to the Indianapolis 500 track.  We took their track tour in a bus around the track.

This is the start-finish line.  The track was originally made of bricks - which is why they call it the Brickyard.

Overall, the TV station tour was much more fun, educational and exciting - and it was FREE!

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Feb. 20, 2009 - Capitol building field trip

For Indiana history, 2 families visited the Indianapolis Capitol building for Homeschool Day at the Capitol.  We got a tour, got to sit in on the House of Representatives session, tried to sit in on the Senate, but they were on "Senator time" - we were on "parking garage time", so we couldn't wait around.  Overall, it was a good learning experience - although I think the adults learned more than the 4th graders.

Governor Mitch Daniels' office - he was in meeting all day, so we did not get to meet him.

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Nov. 14, 2008 - Civil War museum

We ventured into downtown Indy to visit the Soldier's and Sailor's Monument at monument circle.  Under the monument is the Col. Eli Lilly Civil War museum.

Now, the monument:

William Henry Harrison

George Rogers Clark

View from the observation deck of the monument - you can see Lucas Oil Stadium - the home of the Indianapolis Colts in the background.

Here is the view of the statehouse.  We will be visiting there in February when we study Indiana goverment at the Homeschool Day at the Capitol.

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Nov. 14, 2008 - Benjamin Harrison home

For Indiana history, we visited President Benjamin Harrison's home.  It was hard to take good pictures, because we were not allowed to use a flash and it was very dark in the house. 

This house, Benjamin and his wife lived in before he became President, and then returned after the presidency, where he later died.  His first wife died in the White House and he remarried.  We also saw some of William Henry Harrison's things, since he was Benjamin's grandfather.

Benjamin Harrison's wife, Caroline, was an artist.  She was the only first lady to design the First Family's china.

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Nov. 11, 2008 - James Whitcomb Riley house

For Indiana history, we visited the home of the "Hoosier Poet" - James Whitcomb Riley.  The home we visited belonged to his father and is the home where James grew up with his friend Ally (whom the poem "Little Orphant Annie" was written after.)  His father was a rich man who bought the land in Greenfield where their house currently stands, built a log cabin and then took 4 years to add on the portion that stands at the front of the house. 

Eventually, when James became rich and famous, he was able to purchase the house also.  Here are some pictures from inside the house.

His father's law desk - called a partner's desk because the other side looks exactly like this side and there is a small window where they can communicate.

Some of James' mothers jewelry.

A box that James' dad carved for his wife.  He did a lot of woodworking and we saw it throughout the house - stair banister, trim around doors and windows, etc.

The bed where James would've slept.

Some old pictures of the family and pictures of "Little Orphant Annie".

Then we walked downtown to the statue of James Whitcomb Riley.

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