The Irvington Historical Society has a mission to preserve the history of our community and relate to the current residents of Irvington.  We hope that this unique exhibit will be of interest to all of our veterans and current service members and carry the history of military tattoos to all our guests.

The Bona Thompson offers the history of military tattoos shown through a series of photographs created in 2017 in a collaboration between IUPUI’s Office for Veterans and Military Personnel and John Herron photography students, Shelby Flora, and Zach Carrico . Each portrait features tattoos of past and present U.S. service members at IUPUI, which has the largest military related student population of any college campus or university in Indiana.  Tattoos in the military are slightly taboo. Any ink that visible in places such as the face, neck, wrists, hands, or fingers is against regulation. But that hasn’t prevented veterans and active service members from creating permanent self-expression to symbolize their service and love of country.

The Bona Thompson is the home of the Irvington Historical Society.  It is located at 5350 University Avenue.  Our hours are Wednesday 1-3 and Saturday/ Sunday 1-4.