I almost started this blog out by saying I recently had the opportunity to visit a real hidden gem of a Hoosier Day Trip destination, but I quickly realized that that statement would have been inaccurate. I have had NUMEROUS opportunities to visit this particular destination, but I only recently took advantage of it. It is the Monroe County History Center.
I have driven and walked by this place many times. To be fair, it was always a place I thought would be neat to check out, but there hours never seemed to coincide with what I was in the area for. I kept telling myself I would check it out..Someday.
Well someday came a couple of days ago. I was walking North on Washington street in Bloomington headed to another destination and I had my son with me. As we passed it I noticed that it was open, and suggested to my son that we take a quick trip inside to look around. He was onboard with that idea.
We walked in and were quickly greeted by some VERY friendly employees. I call these people employees in the sense that they work there for a paycheck, but I almost got the impression that the center should take a page from Disney and refer to them as Cast Members or some other term befitting someone who enjoys their job and takes some pride in it. To be honest I didn’t ask them, but I am only assuming they were employees.
They may have been volunteers. They seemed to like what they did regardless.
We were then informed that there were some free exhibits we could check out, but the main part of the museum was upstairs and that a charge to enter that part did apply. The charge was $2 for myself as an adult and $1 for my son. I had NO problem with this upon entering, but when I left I really realized what a value it is. My son and I were entertained for almost an hour, and that was only because we were in a little bit of a hurry. It is well worth the fee, and I think they would be justified in charging more but I hope they don’t.
So now we were in the museum itself. I am not really going to reveal all that is there. I will say this. If you are a fan of history, a fan of Bloomington, a fan of Monroe County, or southern Indiana in general, take the time to visit the center. As a lifelong resident of Monroe County I saw things that made me smile. Memories brought back from my childhood, and many new things learned that I never knew. The staff there gave my son a worksheet that was a scavenger hunt of sorts. It reminded me of the Kidcot type of activities you can do at Disney Worlds’ EPCOT center.
After my son and I had finished in the main part of the museum we returned back downstairs where and employee checked out his answers on the scavenger hunt, and I made my way to the gift shop. Time and money WERE issues that particular day, but I will say that I would like to return to the gift shop soon when both are more abundant.
In short, I found this destination to be extremely interesting and well worth the money to visit. The staff was extremely friendly and informed and the price was well worth it. If you know me well, or have read any blogs of mine before, you probably know what a big fan of the state park systems I am. I found this experience almost comparable to visiting a state park but right in town.
I really enjoyed this experience as did my son. This is a must do in my opinion. I think for the value you will not leave disappointed.
That’s going to do it for this entry into the Hoosier Day Trip blog. Thanks for going along, and I hope to see YOU on my next Hoosier Day Trip.
Andrew
