The first permanent office

Artist's rendering of the proposed American Legion national headquarters building, undated.

Invitation to the dedication ceremonies at the future site of the Indiana War Memorial, Nov. 4, 1921.

In November 1921 after a site had been chosen for the permanent national headquarters, Marshall Ferdinand Foch, Supreme Allied Commander during World War I, visited Indianapolis as part of a tour of the United States.

In his honor, Indiana Gov. Warren T. McCray and Indianapolis Mayor Charles W. Jewett joined the American Legion Department of Indiana in celebrating ”Marshall Foch Day” with a parade and other events honoring Foch’s visit.

“Marshall Foch Day” included a dedication of the grounds chosen by the Indiana War Memorical Commission’s Board of Trustees as the site of the American Legion national headquarters and the Indiana War Memorial Plaza.

Groundbreaking ceremony at American Legion National Headquarters, 1924.

Every veteran in Indiana was invited to attend the festitivities, along with dignitaries from Indiana and around the United States and every delegate to the 1921 American Legion National Convention.

Groundbreaking ceremonies took place at the new American Legion headquarters after plans for the building were completed in 1924, and the building opened one year later.

National Commander James Drain speaks at the dedication of the Indiana World War Memorial and formal presentation of the American Legion National Headquarters building, June 17, 1925.

Made of white Indiana limestone, the new building included offices for The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary's national staff, a National Executive Committee room on the fourth floor, and offices for the American Legion Department of Indiana, the Indiana Red Cross, and other patriotic organizations on the first floor.

General view of the dedication ceremonies at The American Legion National Headquarters building at 777 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, June 17, 1925.

Parade celebrating the dedication of the Indiana World War Memorial passes the Indiana School for the Blind as it reaches the new American Legion National Headquarters building, June 17, 1925.

The American Legion National Headquarters building seen from Meridian Street looking east, late 1920s.

The completed American Legion Mall as seen from Pennsylvania Street looking west, 1930s.

The 1945 Commanders and Adjutants Conference meeting in the National Executive Committee Room in the first American Legion national headquarters building.

The original national executive committee room featured desks modeled after Senate chamber desks, one for each committee member emblazoned with their state seals, and a rostrum with the National Commander's chair at the front of the room.

The building included blue carpet and draperies, with dark American walnut paneling and furniture throughout.

National headquarters staff in the Membership Card Division, 1927.

Frank E. Samuel, pictured in his office in 1932 while serving as assistant national adjutant.

Verna B. Grimm, Library director, and staff members Myra Tice, Clerk and Marie Riebsomer, 1940.

National staff transitioned smoothly to the new building and continued supporting the young organization by facilitating communication, maintaining membership records and distributing resources.

Staff also produced pamphlets, uniform caps, membership pins, materials for post rituals, recordings distributed on shellac record discs and other types of media to help Legionnaires across the United States continue serving their communities in peacetime.

National Headquarters staff pictured outside the American Legion National Headquarters building at 777 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, March 1, 1927. (Photo by Noble Bretzman)