Tourism milestones: destinations and events making history in Indiana this year.

• Position: Tourism

It's no secret that history is a strong ingredient in successful tourism promotion, but some destinations with history are better known than others.

That's why the Indiana Department of Commerce's Office of Tourism and Film Development each year hands out Milestone Awards to tourism-related organizations and destinations that are marking 75 years--or more--of history. "Milestones commemorate important moments in tourism groups' existence as well as the life and times of Hoosiers," Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan said in handing this year's honors to nine recipients at the Hoosier Hospitality Conference and Marketplace.

The Lincoln Museum in Fort Wayne--which maintains the nation's largest private collection of Lincoln memorabilia--is marking its 75th anniversary. Its award-winning permanent exhibit "Abraham Lincoln and the American Experiment" includes 11 galleries featuring hundreds of Lincoln artifacts, including Lincoln family photos. Interactive exhibits allow visitors to read Lincoln's mail, decorate the White House or fight a Civil War battle. A major exhibit, "Lincoln's Legacy: The Lincoln Museum 75th Anniversary Exhibition, 1928-2003," will open June 29 and run through Feb. 12 of next year.

The Historic Embassy Theatre, also in Fort Wayne, also turns 75 this year. The state's largest historic theater, originally known as the Emboyd, was born in the golden age of the movie palaces. The flamboyant architecture prevalent in most large movie theaters constructed in the 1920s is evident in the Embassy and reflects an ornate and lavish architectural style and ambiance not duplicated since. In honor of its 75th anniversary, the theater will be hosting special shows and events during the year.

The "Centennial of Flight," a statewide celebration, marks the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers flight at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina. Indiana played a major role leading up to the takeoff of the Wright Flyer on Dec. 17, 1903, including friend and fellow inventor Octave Chanute's glider tests on the Indiana Dunes. Organizations and attractions involved in the statewide celebration include: The Wilbur Wright Birthplace and Interpretive Center, Millville; The Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis; Grissom Air Museum, Peru; and the National Model Aviation Museum in Muncie.

The Huntington City-Township Public Library in Huntington is marking 100 years in operation. Housed in the library is one of the county's most valuable tourist attractions -- the...