The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library

Originally Published January 31st, 2019

Hey gang!

As many of you know, I’m a huge fan of the late Author—Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Vonnegut was a hoosier native—born & raised in Indianapolis. During his literary career which spanned over 50 years, Vonnegut published 14 novels & became known for his dark satirical wit.

Always have a point * —Vonnegut

The novel that made him famous—Slaughterhouse-Five—recounts his time as a soldier during WWII surviving the fire bombing of Dresden. Part Documentary/Part Science Fiction—Slaughterhouse-Five oozes black satirical spite while taking the reader on a sci-fi ride through time & space.

I don’t remember where I came across this book, but once I read it I was hooked.

Since then I’ve made my way through several of his books and studied his life and career.

Several months ago, Ashley and I had the opportunity to travel to Indianapolis and visit the Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library.

This awesome little museum houses a vast collection of Vonnegut family memorabilia (Kurt’s family owned a hardware store & Kurt Sr. was an architect in Indy), historical artifacts, books, art pieces, & even Kurt’s original typewriter.

“Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.”
― Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse-Five

kurtvonnegutmuseum-3 — A Relic from the war.

kurtvonnegutmuseum-4 — Vonnegut kept his rejection letters in a Chocolate Box

“We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.”
― Kurt Vonnegut, Mother Night

kurtvonnegutmuseum-7 — Kurt wrote hunched over on a coffee table much like this one. The pain from this uncomfortable position helped him stay focused.

“I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don’t let anybody tell you different.” —Vonnegut

kurtvonnegutmuseum-17 — You can even have a seat & type on a replica of Kurt’s original typewriter.

“I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can’t see from the center.”
― Kurt Vonnegut, Player Piano

kurtvonnegutmuseum-5 — Among the books on display are some of Vonnegut’s first editions circa 1960’s.

“We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.”
― Kurt Vonnegut

kurtvonnegutmuseum-2 — Some rejection letters are framed & on display.

kurtvonnegutmuseum-11 — Vonnegut was also a bit of a “doodler”—the museum has plenty of his original art pieces on display.

kurtvonnegutmuseum-8 — Vonnegut’s original Smith-Corona typewriter is encased in glass at the front of the museum.

Ashley and I fell in love with this museum. It was such an awesome experience to see everything in person—from his original typewriter, to his doodles & sketches, family photos & first edition books. There was even a tour given which was very insightful & entertaining.

We spent a couple hours at the museum and still weren’t able to take in everything—the space is full of information & history regarding this legendary Author.

If you find yourself in Indy—definitely make this one of your stops. I look forward to going there again!

Also be sure to stop by the Kurt Vonnegut Mural—painted by artist Pamela Bliss in 2011.

kurtvonnegutmuseum-25 — Address: 339 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204

“And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, ‘If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.”
― Kurt Vonnegut Jr., A Man Without A Country

Thanks for reading gang!

-Tim

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