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General Lew Wallace Study and Museum: This National Historic Landmark houses memorabilia belonging to Lew Wallace, a Civil War major general and author of Ben Hur. Displays include items relating to the Broadway play and both motion picture productions of Ben Hur. Contact the museum for hours at (765) 362-5769 or www.ben-hur.com
Lane Place: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 1845 mansion is the former home of state governor, senator, and key politician in Abraham Lincoln’s presidential nomination, Henry S. Lane. The building is also the Montgomery County Historical Society’s headquarters. Call (765) 362-3416 or www.lane-mchs.org
The Old Jail Museum: This 1882 jail consists of several rotating cells, which allowed jailers to control prisoners without personal contact. The museum is like none other you’ve ever visited, and includes three changing exhibits per year. Call (765) 362-5222 or www.oldjailmuseum.net.
Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County: Opening in 1902, it was the first Carnegie Library in Indiana. The museum's exhibits focus on the history, art, natural history and culture of Montgomery County. Gallery themes include business & industry; literature, learning, arts & culture, military and democracy; sports & pop culture; Montgomery County highlights; and early history.
Historic Parke County: Home to the turn-of-the-century Billie Creek Village, the Mansfield Roller Mill State Historic Site, and 38 covered bridges is a short 25-mile drive from campus. Check the website for details: www.parkecounty.com
Indianapolis Children’s Museum: The largest children's museum in the world urges children to dig in and touch everything as they explore the physical and natural sciences, history, world cultures and the arts through exciting interactive exhibits on five floors. There's also a planetarium and a theater with children's plays and live entertainment. 3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, Indiana. Call (317) 334-3322.
Turkey Run State Park is home to cabins, a nature center, a planetarium, a pool, miles of trails, historic landmarks, and areas to fish, camp, and picnic. You can also take horseback rides through the park, which is about 24 miles southwest of campus. Call the Turkey Run Inn for more details at (765) 597-2211.
Shades State Park offers the Pine Hills Nature Preserve, hiking trails, and a primitive campground just 17 miles from campus. Call the park office at (765) 435-2810.
Golf: Montgomery County is home to three very fine public golf courses: Crawfordsville Municipal Golf Course (765-364-5171), Rocky Ridge Golf Course (765-794-4444), and Turkey Run Golf Course (765-435-2048).
Antiques: West Central Indiana is famous for its antique stores. Crawfordsville is home to a half-dozen shops and there are dozens more within a short driving distance in Rockville, Attica, Waynetown, Lebanon, and Greencastle. Information will be available at registration or contact the Visitor’s Bureau at 800-866-3973.