Purdue University wants to expand its educational offerings and its presence in Indianapolis. The school announced this week its latest move is to purchase a museum.
Purdue University this week announced it has finalized plans to acquire the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library, which has sat on Indiana Avenue since 2019.
The university said it plans to use the museum to help enrich its museum studies program.
"We have been engaged with the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library ever since we launched in Indianapolis, and this further enhances our relationship," Purdue's Executive Director of Administrative Operations in Indianapolis Evan Hawkins stated in a press release.
Julia Whitehead, the Vonnegut museum's founder and CEO, told WFYI the new partnership means Purdue will fund the museum and take on some of the logistical challenges the nonprofit used to tackle alone.
"It is an honor that they see the value in what we bring and how hard we've worked, and how much we've done on a shoestring budget," Whitehead said. "And you know, now we won't have to worry so much about the things that are not our primary mission."
Whitehead said big things are in store for the library and museum. In September the museum's board will meet and finalize their strategic plan, which will outline new initiatives.
The library and museum will remain open to the public after the partnership begins. Information about the library's hours and upcoming events can be found on their website.
Contact WFYI Digital Producer and Reporter Jeremy Reuben at jreuben@wfyi.org
