Vonnegut Library Lands Kurt Vonnegut’s “Forever Home”

Lilly Endowment Approves $500,000 Gift to

Support Building Purchase

Courtesy of IBJ/Jeff Newman

INDIANAPOLIS, July 3, 2019  – The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library (KVML) in the author’s hometown of Indianapolis is purchasing a building that will become its new home at 543 Indiana Ave., thanks in part to $500,000 Lilly Endowment grant announced today.

KVML Founder and CEO Julia Whitehead said, “For ten years, we’ve had our eye on this building. It is perfect for us in every way. With partner Bluebeard setting up a second restaurant location on the first floor of the building, we will provide a top-notch visitor experience for our audience.”

The new building will feature exhibitions and programs that highlight the legacy of Vonnegut’s work and showcase KVML’s collection of artifacts and memorabilia. Exhibits will explore the impact of the author’s influential novel, Slaughterhouse-Five and his efforts to preserve freedom of expression and limit censorship. Enhancements to the building, which is close to the historic Madam Walker Legacy Center, will include “Vonnegut and Jazz,” an exhibition produced in conjunction with the Madam Walker Legacy Center and Indiana Jazz Foundation.

Additional updates will be made to exhibitions about Vonnegut’s life and work that will feature items from the organization’s large collection, which includes Vonnegut’s typewriter and Purple Heart.

KVML received cash gifts and pledges from 1,400 people and organizations this spring through its campaign for Vonnegut’s “Forever Home.” Whitehead said, “The $500,000 grant from Lilly Endowment is the largest grant we’ve ever received, and it gives our board the confidence to purchase the building and move forward with our exciting plans.”

KVML’s lease at its previous location, 334 N. Senate Ave., expired in February. The organization’s museum is currently closed, but KVML operates a pop-up gift shop at Circle Centre Mall in downtown Indianapolis. KVML expects to reopen its doors at the Indiana Avenue location by the end of September.

In addition to the Lilly Endowment grant, KVML has received $1 million in cash and pledges toward the purchase of the building. The organization was given a loan by National Bank of Indianapolis to make the purchase possible in advance of receiving the pledge funds.

“This community – along with donors from around the nation – came together to support a permanent home to celebrate Vonnegut and advocate for principles of free expression and common decency. We have so much work to do. It’s important for all who pledged to us to make good on your pledges now, if possible, so that we can start our build-out and open our building,” Whitehead added. “We have an additional $1.5 million to raise this year to be able to unveil our exhibits to the public. In addition to that, we have our programs supporting veterans, students, teachers, those suffering from mental health challenges, and general readers who will celebrate with us on our grand opening day and all the days to follow. ”

For more information about the Vonnegut Library or to make a donation, visit www.vonnegutlibrary. org, write to [email protected], or call 317-652-1954.

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About the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library

The KVML is a public-benefit, nonprofit organization championing the legacy of Kurt Vonnegut and principles of free expression and common decency.