The Indiana War Memorial Plaza Historic District encompasses the nation's greatest collection of war monuments outside of Washington D.C.  Those sites include the American Legion Mall, Veterans Memorial Plaza, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and the USS Indianapolis Memorial on the Central Canal.

This magnificent building has three main floors. On the upper level is the breathtaking Shrine Room. The Shrine Room, symbolizing peace and unity is made of materials from all over the world, symbolic of the world wide nature of the "Great War." The room is 110' tall and 60' square. The 24 blood red pillars made of Vermont marble support the vast ceiling. Hanging in the center of the room is theStar of Destiny made of Swedish Crystal to guide the welfare of the nation. Below that is the flag of the United States. In the center of the room, below the flag, is the Altar of Consecration, the altar to the flag. The altar inspires good citizenship and is a place to remember fallen soldiers and comrades. Those who visit the Shrine Room leave with a renewed sense of patriotism and an appreciation for the sacrifices of those who fought in the "Great War".

The main floor houses exhibit space, the administrative offices, two meeting rooms, and the Pershing Auditorium. The meeting rooms and the auditorium are available to for public use for a nominal fee. Listed on this level are the names of all Hoosiers who participated in WW I and all Hoosiers killed or missing in action from WW II, Korea, and Vietnam.

The building also contains a free military museum that portrays the history of Indiana's gallant veterans from the Battle of Tippecanoe, through the several wars in which we have been engaged, to the present.

Among the interesting items on display is the commission plate of the battleship USS Indiana, numerous military firearms, a Korean War era helicopter, a Navy Terrier missile that can be armed with an atomic nuclear war head, and hundreds of other artifacts, photos and documents.