Indiana State Museum Heritage Award Tribute 2016

Heritage Keeper Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites. The award recognizes Indiana’s greatest ambassadors for their Hoosier Spirit in their achievements, leadership, and service to the state. Last year, we had the pleasure of celebrating Judy O’Bannon. This year, the museum honored four of Indiana’s living governors by jointly presenting the award to Evan Bayh, Joe Kernan, Mitch Daniels and current governor, Mike Pence.

A VIP reception was held on Canal Overlook Bridge to begin the evening. Guests of the title sponsor, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and other major supports of the evening joined together for a social hour and photo opportunity with the honored guests. Butler passed hot and cold hors d’oeuvres were presented as well as an open bar.

Hors d’oeuvres
Golden beets, pistachio goat cheese mousse, citrus cranberry jam, crostini
Beef carpaccio crostini with crispy capers, truffled honey, arugula
Apricot brie strudel, candied ginger, apple compote
Fingerling potatoes, alouette herb cheese, smoked bacon

Tickets were available for purchase by the general public and museum members who wanted to be part of an excellent event celebrating 200 years of Indiana as part of the bicentennial celebrations. Several hundred Hoosiers were in attendance. As guests arrived, a special patriot beverage was offered, the Starlight Sour (recipe below!). Guests enjoyed several hors d’oeuvre displays and an open bar as well before joining together with all guests, VIPs, and sponsors for the presentation and program. Proceeds will help the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites develop high-quality exhibitions and dynamic programming for visitors and school children across the state of Indiana.

Hors d’oeuvre Displays
International Cheese and Fruit Display

Vertical Crudite Display
Asparagus, bell peppers, stem-on carrots, and cherry grape tomatoes with house-made ranch

Dips and Chips Display
Con queso dip, hummus, artichoke and parmesean dip with freshly fried tortilla and pita chips

Golden beets, pistachio goat cheese mousse, citrus cranberry jam, crostini
Fingerling potatoes, alouette herb cheese, smoked bacon

Following cocktail hour, O’Bannon Family Great Hall of the Indiana State Museum’s main level filled with attendees to view the presentation and program. Gold chiavari chairs were set up theater style facing the large windows of the hall, centered by a stage, screen, and podium.

This year’s event featured stations from our new station menu which is different from the plated meal offered at last year’s Tribute event. One set of station was housed on the 2nd floor exhibit bridge. Another set of stations was in the Farmers Market Café, also on the 2nd floor of the museum. Stations on the 2nd floor hosted a red, white and blue theme – complete with music from a bluegrass band. To take this patriotic theme to life, red and white striped linens were used on both standing and sitting cocktail tables, while other tables and bars were dressed in blue.

Smokehouse BBQ Station
Vinegar coleslaw
Hickory smoked pork shoulder, Wolf’s Barbecue Sauce
Silver Dollar Rolls
Grilled salmon, fennel butter sauce, citrus basil salsa
Green pea and spinach, parmesan risotto

Mac n’ Cheese Station
Elbow Quattro fromage with white truffle oil
Orecchiette, lobster, bacon and white cheddar sauce
Toppings selection: toasted herb bread crumbs, shredded parmesan and chopped scallion

Ice Cream Sandwich Station
Chocolate and vanilla ice cream
Chocolate chip, peanut butter and carmel hazelnut cookies
Toppings selection: caramel, hot fudget, godiva whipped cream, kahluah whipped cream, banana chips, chocolate covered bacon, sprinkles, fresh berry compote, chopped peanuts, cherries, toffee crumbles, mini chocolate chip cookies

Biker Bar Sliders
Wagyu beef sliders, sliced cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, ketchup and mustard
Southwest tuna loin with wasabi mayonnaise
Balsamic marinated portabella mushroom and red pepper sliders
Buffalo chicken tenders, blue cheese dip with celery sticks
Assorted slider buns
Turnip and sweet potato fries
Buffalo chili with cheese, onions, sour cream, and oyster crackers

Display of Shrimp Cocktail with St. Elmo’s Cocktail Sauce and Lemon Wedges

Shortcake Station
House-made mini-short cake biscuits
Topping selection: lemon marinated blueberries, minted strawberries, peaches with raspberries and fresh vanilla bean whipped cream

Third floor stations sported Indiana blue and gold in color and had entertainment provided by Cathy Morris. Paying homage to the evening’s sponsor, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, black and white checkered linens were used on the bars and cocktail tables, wrapped with red, green, yellow and blue sashes. The sashes reminded us of racing flags seen at the track!

Indiana Comfort Station
Hurst 15 bean soup
Edamame, corn, avocado and tomato salad with champagne vinaigrette dressing

Farm to Table Station
White marble farms pork tenderloin with boubon apricot reduction
Maple leaf farms spiced duck breast, sweet cherry glaze
Herb roasted NY Striploin with wattleseed crust and red wine demi galce
Asparagus and heirloom carrots with herb butter
Cream corn pudding

Mini Pie Tart Station
Maple sugar cream pie tarts
Mini apple pie tarts

The 3rd floor Overlook Bridge celebrated an Indiana institution, Notre Dame, and an America’s favorite pastime, baseball. Luscious gold linen was set on each of the 4th floor stations as well as cocktail table with kelly green lamour and navy blue lamour linens. Go Irish!

Nacho Station
Fresh fried tortilla chips
Beef seasoned taco meat
Honey tequila lime smoked chicken
Cilantro and pepper jack cheese sauce
Corn salsa
Pinto beans
Topping selection: sour cream, guacamole, black bean corn salad, salsa verde, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo

Stadium Foods
Mini hot dogs and bratwurst
Ketchup, Dijon mustard, yellow mustard, relish, and sauerkraut
Mini buns
Taste of Philly soft pretzel bites
Raspberry honey mustard, sweet heat and sesame mustard

Just Poppin’ Popcorn Station
Make your own mix
Indy Style Popcorn
Sun King Popcorn
Chocolate Popcorn
Boxes of Cracker Jacks

Rice Crispy Chocolate Dipping Station
Rice crispy treats dipped to order in chocolate, caramel, resse’s pieces, toffee crumbles, chopped walnuts, rainbow sprinkles, white chocolate curls, especsso scented coco nibs