Welcome To KVML
Kurt Vonnegut was a World War II soldier and prisoner of war, peace activist, free speech champion, bestselling writer, artist, father, and lover of jazz, comedy, theater, and film. Celebrating our 15th anniversary in 2024, we at the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library (KVML) conduct tours of our museum’s diverse and accessible exhibitions. Members borrow books from our lending library. Students, teachers, veterans, and prisoners benefit from our programs that encourage storytelling to “make your soul grow.” From its German foundation in the 1800s, our gorgeous building is one of the few remaining buildings from the period when Indiana Avenue was known nationwide for its rich jazz history and Black excellence in business and culture. Our Bokonon Lounge is more than a bar but also a space that people use for weddings, birthday parties, and more.
Outside of Indianapolis, we are widely known for our tough stance on free speech. We send hundreds, if not thousands, of free books to students around the country to support anti-censorship. As Kurt said, we want to remain “vibrant and alive and relevant” to support our local, state, national, and international audiences.