Indiana Veterans Center ribbon-cutting, tours planned

The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) plans a March 1 ribbon-cutting ceremony and guided tours of the newly renovated Indiana Veterans Center at 777 N. Meridian Street in Indianapolis. The historic structure was the first permanent American Legion National Headquarters. The ceremony is set to begin at 2 p.m.

IDVA Director Dennis Wimer and Indiana War Memorial Executive Director U.S. Air Force (retired) Brig. Gen. J. Stewart Goodwin will lead the ceremony, with tours to immediately follow.

State legislators, members of the media and the public are invited to attend.

With multiple federal, state, city and nonprofit veterans service agencies under one roof, the Indiana Veterans Center provides a one-of-a-kind facility servicing the needs of the Indiana veteran community. 

During the tours, attendees will learn about the major transformation the building underwent before it could serve as the Indiana Veterans Center. While the historic look has been preserved, new features include Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps, new elevators, improved technology and individual workspaces that can be leased for designated periods of time.

The Indiana Veterans Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. To learn more about the Veterans Center, click here. 

On Oct. 6, 2021, American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard unveiled an Indiana Historical Marker Bureau sign recognizing the building as the organization’s first permanent home. The American Legion National Headquarters was at that location from 1925 to 1950 when the organization’s main offices moved across American Legion Mall to its current, larger headquarters building at 700 N. Pennsylvania.