These are interesting, exciting times

Abraham Lincoln said, “Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruits of labor … Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much higher consideration.” He was right.

When we made plans to create and deliver the Indiana Experience to the public, the economy was in a different place. But our labor continues in earnest because we believe in its importance.

We are going forward with our project and our grand reopening in Spring 2010, but we’ve strategically modified our renovation plans to move in phases based on the state of the economy. It’s an appropriate, prudent, pay-as-you-go strategy, a choice which will accumulate no debt while we add new dimensions in our building for visitors to maximize use of IHS’s incredible headquarters.

We’re in excellent hands with our Board of Trustees. They will guide us through the coming years as we apply this more business-like approach to our mission.                          

I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to the Campaign for the Indiana Experience and acknowledge recent generous gifts from Richard E. Ford, The Hagerman Group, KeyBank Foundation, Nicholas H. Noyes Jr. Memorial Foundation, Gerald and Dorit Paul, Steve and Mag Cole Russell, Richard and Priscilla Ruddell, Berkley and Nancy Duck, Rivers Institute at Hanover College, and the IHS staff.

We forward to impressing you at the grand reopening of the Indiana Experience, where you will see the fruits of our labor.

John A. Herbst
President and CEO