Enjoy free admission on Presidents Day, Monday, February 16, 2026, at nearly all Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites locations statewide, including three in central Indiana. Even though the museum system normally closes on Mondays, the Indiana State Museum (Indianapolis), the Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site (Fountain City), and the T.C. Steele State Historic Site (Nashville) will be open 10 a.m.–5 p.m., weather permitting. Free admission days are supported by the Lacy Foundation.
Do this first: Pick your site, then preregister for tours
General admission is free, but guided tours at the Coffin and Steele historic sites have limited capacity. Call the sites directly to preregister. Also note: the Abraham Lincoln program at the Coffin site is ticketed (not included with free admission).
Related Article: 2026 Free Museum Days in Indianapolis
Quick details
- What: Free Admission Day (Presidents Day) at Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites
- When: Monday, February 16, 2026
- Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (special Monday opening, weather permitting)
- Ages: All ages
- Where (Central Indiana):
- Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
- Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site, 201 U.S. 27 North, Fountain City
- T.C. Steele State Historic Site, 4220 T.C. Steele Road, Nashville
What to expect at the Indiana State Museum (Indianapolis)
Explore three floors of galleries and exhibits covering Indiana’s art, science, and culture. On Presidents Day, the museum adds puzzle-themed fun tied to its new Mazes & Brain Games experience, which will also be open for families to enjoy.
Get ready for a day of hands-on activities:
- A puzzle swap (bring old puzzles, complete with all their pieces)
- Brain teasers and trivia challenges
- Rubik’s Cube and other puzzle-solving challenges to test your speed
- Kid-friendly fun like giant floor puzzles and making “puzzle creatures”
Want the official event listing for the Indy location?
Puzzle Party on Presidents Day (Indiana State Museum)
What to expect at the Coffin House (Fountain City)
Take a guided tour of the Coffins’ home at the Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site and learn what life was like for the Quaker couple as they supported the Underground Railroad. Inside the modest house, known as “the Grand Central Station of the Underground Railroad,” visitors can peer into a narrow second-floor cubby that once concealed freedom-seekers as they made their way north. The interpretive center will also be open for self-guided experiences throughout the day.
Guided tour times (space is limited):
- 10:30 a.m.
- 12:30 p.m.
- 2:00 p.m.
- 3:30 p.m.
Important: As part of the museum system’s year-long celebration of America’s 250th birthday, visitors can watch a live Abraham Lincoln performance at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the site’s interpretive center. These 90-minute performances feature some of the 16th president’s most famous speeches and include both hilarity and heartbreak. This program requires a separate ticket (not included with free admission).
- Tickets: $8 adults, $5 youth ages 2–12 (members receive a 25% discount)
Official listings:
- Presidents Day (Free Admission) at the Coffin House
- Presidents Day with Abe Lincoln (Ticketed Program)
What to expect at the T.C. Steele State Historic Site (Nashville)
Tour the charming home known as the House of the Singing Winds, where renowned impressionist artist T.C. Steele lived with his second wife, Selma. Presidents Day is also a great time to see the site’s centennial exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of Steele’s death, featuring nearly 30 original works spanning his career, including rarely seen paintings and newly acquired pieces in the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites collection.
Building tour times (space is limited):
- 10:15 a.m.
- 1:15 p.m.
- 3:15 p.m.
Prefer the outdoors? Take a self-guided hike through the site’s expansive natural surroundings and explore real locations that inspired Steele’s artwork.
Official listing:
Presidents Day (Free Admission) at T.C. Steele State Historic Site
Tips for an easy Presidents Day visit
- Want a guided tour at the Coffin or Steele sites? Call ahead to preregister. Spots fill up fast on free days.
- Heading to the Indy museum? Bring a complete puzzle (with all its pieces) to join the puzzle swap.
- Driving to Fountain City or Nashville? Plan for travel time and arrive early for the best tour availability.
How to get the official details
Find the full list of locations and Presidents Day details on the museum system’s website:
Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites
