INDIANA (Part Two:) And So It Goes…A Trip to the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library
Indiana (Part Two) And So it Goes….The Vonnegut Library and Museum
Weeks before flying to Indianapolis, there was only one location on my list of attractions I was absolutely confident I would visit during my one full day in the Crossroads of America city: the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library. Kurt Vonnegut is an important American writer whose work I consider to be essential reading. As a fellow creator of stories, I hoped to soak in the ambience and learn something in the process.
And so it goes that on that Wednesday afternoon, I followed West Street north to the intersection of Indiana Ave where the impressive Walker Theater building stood proudly at the northwest corner while across the street, a very different iconic structure housed the museum and library celebrating the renowned author. But the museum provided much more than a historical celebration of the author, the museum promotes a forward looking mission to inspire future generations of writers, and readers and indeed, of all Americans. The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library’s focus is on First Amendment advocacy.
The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library from the corner of Indiana Ave and West Street, Indianapolis, IN
It seems a primary focus of the Vonnegut Museum and Library is to combat the scourge of book banning, the absurd and destructive action that is antithetical to the First Amendment of the Constitution. On the first floor, there is a framed letter Kurt Vonnegut wrote in response to a ban of his book. It is not only eloquent, it highlighted the fact that, as is so often the case, the “book banner” had not actually read his work. The act of book bannings is born from ignorance. The museum carries on the legacy of fierce First Amendment advocacy and the Vonnegut’s message rings as true today as it did back when his response letter was penned.
“Perhaps you will learn from this that books are sacred to free men for very good reasons, and that wars have been fought against nations which hate books and burn them. If you are an American, you must allow all ideas to circulate freely in your community, not merely your own.”
The museum features reading areas, multiple locations for seating and a museum store and it appears to be a wonderful location for events, depending on the projected attendance size. Of course, the museum hosts exhibits on every floor. For aspiring writers everywhere, the selection of Vonnegut’s many rejection letters are hung proudly in the second floor. The third floor has what I believe to be the hallmark exhibit that emphasizes his seminal work, Slaughterhouse Five or The Children’’s Crusade: A Duty Dance with Death.
If one is a writer, if one is an avid reader, or indeed if one is inspired by the First Amendment and the rights protected therein, then The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library is an essential visit in any journey to Indianapolis. I was well justified in my initial hope that I would be inspired by a visit to the Museum. As I left and began my walk past the Canal, I resolved to have some portion of the upcoming Barnaby Druthers mystery story based in Indianapolis have some nod toward the Museum and its worthy message and mission.
Next week’s post: FORT WAYNE, INDIANA!
