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Out of the Darkness and into the Circle of Lights

Online Lecture and Q&A

Join us online via Zoom to explore the challenges surrounding early efforts to light the Monument and the Circle of Lights' origins and significance as a cultural icon in Indianapolis.

Registration is required.

Culture, History, and Society: Historic Indianapolis Metropolitan Area—The Circle of Lights is a beloved holiday tradition in Indianapolis, showcasing the beauty of the Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Monument against the night sky. However, for nearly three decades after the Monument was completed in 1902, its top half lay shrouded in darkness once night fell, except for a handful of special occasions when floodlights were aimed at Victory, and lights were strung along her base. As Indianapolis prepares for the 62nd Circle of Lights celebration, register now and join us online via Zoom to explore the challenges surrounding early efforts to light the massive Monument and the Circle of Lights' origins and significance as a cultural icon in Indianapolis.

Presented by: Libby Cierzniak is a former longtime contributor to HistoricIndianapolis.com, and in 2020, was a co-recipient of the Indiana Historical Society’s Hubert Hawkins Local History Award for her work on the Indy history site’s Déjà vu Tuesday and Indianapolis Collected features, and on her blog, Indypolitan.com. She is a retired attorney and former trustee of the Indiana Historical Society. Libby serves as president of the Historical Society for the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Indiana. She also contributes to the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis and is a frequent guest on Hoosier History Live.

Digital Indy—Monument Circle
Encyclopedia of Indianapolis—Monument Circle
The Indianapolis Public Library (IndyPL)—Monument Circle (Indianapolis, Ind.)

This free online lecture is part of the Culture, History, and Society: Historic Indianapolis Metropolitan Area programs hosted online by the Indianapolis Special Collections Room (ISCR). It is being held as an online meeting/webinar via Zoom. Registered attendees will receive the Zoom link via email within 2 hours before the online meeting/webinar. This program was made possible by Friends of the Library through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation.

Contact: Special Collections Librarian Montoya Barker

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