Complimentary Museum Celebrating Carmel's History Unveils Along Monon Trail
The Carmel Clay History Museum has recently opened its doors along the Monon Trail in Carmel's Arts and Design District, offering a fascinating glimpse into the city's rich history.
CARMEL — Over the past 50 years, Carmel has transformed into Indiana's city of the future, marked by significant population growth. Yet, every thriving community has humble beginnings.
The newly established museum spans three stories and houses an extensive collection of archives that narrate the story of Carmel's development alongside the historic railroad line.
"Carmel didn't just pop up like Disney World," said Debbie Gangstad of the Carmel Clay History Museum. "We've had some people in the Palladium area who say, 'This looks like Disney World.'"
Visitors to the museum can explore artifacts such as the city's first post office box, various old city flags, and a showcase dedicated to local artist Franklin Booth. One of its most striking pieces is a neon sign that once greeted travelers at Indianapolis' Monon station.
"This man said, 'I've got a Monon sign that you might want for your museum,'" Gangstad recalled. "I said, 'Sure, send it on down because we'd love to have it, and I'll pay the postage.' He goes, 'You need to get a truck.'"
Admission to the museum is free for all visitors. Longtime resident Jeff Worrell visited with his child and grandchildren recently.
"We've been here since 1988 and love our town," Worrell shared. "We now have a place to bring them like the museum here. We went over to the Fire Buffs museum. There's so much to do and it is just a joy to live here."
As Carmel continues to grow—now boasting over 100,000 residents—Gangstad hopes that this museum will remind visitors of its modest beginnings when it was home to only a few hundred people.
"I think it was Winston Churchill who said, 'The farther you look back gives you the way to know where you're going next,'" Gangstad reflected. "We need to mind our history."