“Influencing Lincoln” Opens March 18 @IndianaMuseum

By Marc Allan
Indiana State Museum

“Influencing Lincoln: The Pursuit of Black Freedom,” an exhibition that explores the Black community’s fight for freedom and equal rights during and after the Civil War at the national level and in Indiana, opens March 18-Oct. 29, 2023 at the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Visitors will learn how members of the Black community – national figures like Frederick Douglass or people in Abraham Lincoln’s immediate circle – influenced the President as he moved toward ending slavery and advocating for greater rights. And they’ll see rare historic documents that resulted from this movement: the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment.

“Influencing Lincoln” covers the years 1861-1875, from the beginning of Lincoln’s presidency to the extension of voting rights under the 15th Amendment and the election of the first Black members of Congress. 

The exhibition is free with museum admission, which is $17 for adults, $16 for seniors, $12 for children and $5 for current college students with an Indiana school ID. For more information, visit https://www.indianamuseum.org/experiences/influencing-lincoln/ or call 317-232-1637.

“Black people were active in this freedom struggle,” said Kisha Tandy, curator of social history and co-curator of the exhibition. “They weren’t sitting around waiting for someone to give them freedom. They were organized, effective and deliberate. Deliberate in their actions to obtain freedom, organized in the way they went about it, and effective because they made change.”

“Emancipation was a process rather than an event,” added Susannah Koerber, chief curator and research officer and co-curator of the exhibition. “And it was pushed forward by people in the Black community.”

This was not just a national story, but an Indiana story as well.

“The same institution-building and use of social networks to effect change and equal rights were also happening in communities around the country, including Indianapolis,” Koerber said. “In the exhibition, we have the national story that happens with Lincoln and the parallel story that happens here with places like Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church and the organization of the 28th Indiana United States Colored Regiment.” 

“The institutional foundations that were laid during this time period continue to support the community today,” Tandy added.

Visitors will:

-See how the Black community fought for freedom and equal rights in many ways, using their resources, connections (including Lincoln) and the institutions they built, especially the Black church, as well as military service.

-Appreciate the valor of the United States Colored Troops, including the 28^th Indiana, and explore why the Black community fought so hard for the right to fight with the Union troops and how their service helped advance the cause of equal rights and citizenship.

-Understand why fighting for freedom alone was not enough but had to be joined with the rights of full citizenship, including voting rights and political representation. 

Artifacts that will be on display include:

-The inkwell used by Lincoln to sign the Emancipation Proclamation.

-Copies of the Emancipation Proclamation and 13th Amendment signed by President Lincoln. (Because these documents are light-sensitive, they will only be displayed March 18-April 16, June 14-July 2 and Sept. 20-Oct. 29.

-The battle flag of the 28^th Indiana United States Colored Infantry, on loan from the Indiana War Memorial Museum.

-A pew and pulpit from the historic Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Indianapolis.

“Influencing Lincoln” is supported by Ball Brothers Foundation and Barnes & Thornburg LLP.

New Mix Food Halls @kroger in Carmel and Fishers

By Eric Halvorson
Kroger

(INDIANAPOLIS) — A new option for high quality, convenient meals on the go or delivered to your door is now open in Hamilton County. California-based Kitchen United has opened two Mix Food Hall locations inside neighborhood Kroger stores at 1217 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel, Ind. and 9799 E. 116^th St., Fishers, Ind., with both locations open daily from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

“We’re always eager to bring fresh, innovative concepts to Kroger customers and associates,” said Colleen Juergensen, president of Kroger Central Division. “This new partnership with Kitchen United is extremely exciting because it combines the comfort of the traditional grocery store experience with the convenience of also offering a restaurant-quality meal ready for dinner that night.”

Both Mix Food Hall locations offer a selection from these national restaurant brands:

Firehouse Subs – Hot specialty subs prepared with meats and cheeses, on toasted sub rolls, and served “fully Involved” with vegetables and condiments.

Nathan’s Famous – An American tradition serving New York favorites, from its world-famous hot dogs to its burgers and fries for more than 100 years. 

Nékter Juice Bar – Freshly made smoothies and açaí bowls made to order without hidden filler, unnecessary sugars, processed ingredients and artificial flavors.

Saladworks – Freshly made salads with ingredients chopped fresh all day, every day. Also serving paninis.

Wow Bao – Asian-inspired street food including bao, pan-seared potstickers, steamed dumplings and rice bowls.

“Kitchen United is proud to open its first Mix Food Hall locations in the Indianapolis area,” said Kitchen United Chief Executive Officer Michael Montagano. “Our Kroger grocery store partners are centrally located, allowing us to provide quick, easy meals to the local business community and neighbors who enjoy having delicious take-home options after they finish their grocery shopping.”

Mix Food Hall offers on-site ordering via digital kiosks, online ordering at MixFoodHall.com and will be available on Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash. Guests are invited to order from their favorite Mix Food Hall restaurant or conveniently mix and match items from the various restaurants in one order for pickup or delivery, serving variety without compromise. 

Grand opening events will kick off Friday, March 10, when Kroger and Kitchen United join local community leaders for ribbon cutting ceremonies at 10:30 a.m. (Fishers) and 12:30 p.m. (Carmel). 

The celebration will continue with two giveaway events on March 11 at 10 a.m. in Carmel and March 13 at 3 p.m. in Fishers, with prizes totaling $70,000. The first 100 adult guests in line at each event will win “Mix Meals for a Year,” a package that includes 12 Mix Food Hall gift cards valued at $25 each and a $50 Kroger gift card.

The Carmel and Fishers Mix Food Hall locations are the first two in Indiana, bringing the company to a total of 17 locations in Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Ohio, and Texas.

To learn more about Kitchen United and Mix Food Hall, visit MixFoodHall.com.