INDIANAPOLIS — One of the most recognizable and beloved symbols of the 4th of July holiday is the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor.
But did you know there's a museum celebrating Lady Liberty right here in Indianapolis?
It features hundreds of items and draws in not only Hoosiers, but also tourists from around the world.
If you haven't seen the museum, it's frankly easy to miss.
At 10th and Oxford on Indy's near east side, you've probably driven right past it.
Indy's Teeny Statue of Liberty Museum is an unexpected gem, sandwiched in a century-old strip mall, beckoning tourists by torchlight.
Admission: 50 cents.
The quirky space is stuffed with collectibles, all dedicated to an iconic symbol of America.
Tim Harmon is the owner and curator.
"Here's a needlepoint. There's a Chia Pet. We don't grow it anymore though," Harmon said. "We have glasses and mugs and ashtrays and spoon rests and all kinds of souvenirs. Here's Snoopy dressed as the Statue of Liberty. Here's Mickey Mouse dressed as Statue of Liberty. Over here on the wall, we have Bugs Bunny on a plate dressed as the Statue of Liberty."
It's not as massive as the Met or as spacious as the Smithsonian.
"It's 9-and-a-half by 15-and-a-half, basically ten by 16," Harmon said.
But this tiny museum is big on character. Harmon displays more than 650 pieces of memorabilia. They cover the walls, the shelves, even the ceiling, and some pieces are quite unusual.
"I have a switchblade knife embossed with the Statue of Liberty. Here it is," Harmon said, bringing out the knife with a quick flick of his wrist. "Look at that! And it says the Statue of Liberty on it. That's like freedom - or else! Over here, here's an original Mattel Barbie that was designed by Bob Mackey. My son gave that to me for Father's Day when he was six years old. I'm probably one of the few fathers that got a Barbie for Father's day that year and I'm pretty excited about it."
Harmon opened the museum 6 years ago, right next to his salvage store. He's been collecting for decades and some of the items have been donated by tourists, too.
You get free admission for life if you bring something to display.
Teeny Statue of Liberty Museum
"So you can imagine how much money you're gonna save by donating," he joked. "You know, a lifetime of 50-cents is a good deal."
Now he's got everything from stamps and toothbrush holders to socks and cookie cutters, Legos and lawn sprinklers.
"You hook the garden hose up and it comes out the torch. That's the kind of thing you'll see here at the museum," Harmon said.
Harmon says this place isn't political, but he does believe Lady Liberty represents the best of our country's ideals: a light in the darkness welcoming others.
"It's very much what America intends to be," Harmon said, "So the museum is here to remind people how good we are and what we know is right in our hearts."
And like the statue herself, this museum attracts people from around the world. He hosts school groups and visitors from all over central Indiana.
But it's not just Hoosiers who come here.
Harmon's on his second guestbook, listing visitors' cities, states and countries.
"We've had people from Montreal. We had people from Colorado. We have had people from China," he said. "Here's England, somebody from Leeds, England. I think it's Google that finds us and then it's 'two tickets to Indianapolis, Indiana. I gotta see this thing.'"
And at this teeny museum in Indy, five minutes and two quarters gets you a quick but memorable tour. From the beautiful to the bizarre, it's a tribute to Lady Liberty in all her glory.
Harmon says the little museum also will be on the big screen soon. A film crew shot a documentary on it – "a short", of course. He says it's called "Little Liberty". It's about five minutes long and will debut during the Heartland Film Festival.
If you'd like to visit and learn more about Harmon's collection, the museum is located at 2907 E. 10th Street, Indianapolis.