The group's Colonial Revival style frame building sits on a brick foundation and has a gable roof with hipped dormers.

Local newspaper columnist Lillian Thomas Fox of Indianapolis served as the federation's state organizer and honorary president.

[4][5] The gathering included representatives from thirteen clubs from Indianapolis, two from Marion, and one each from South Bend, Anderson, Muncie, and Terre Haute.

[7][8] The NACWC, which had about 600 clubs at the time the Indiana federation was formed, helped focus nationwide attention on black clubwomen's activities.

"[13] Its efforts later expanded to provide a network and forum for club members to share information on social issues, such as opposition to lynching, racism, discrimination, and inequality, as well as other concerns, including as "housing, unemployment, education, and healthcare.

"[7] The Indiana federation also collected membership dues from individuals, held annual state conventions, published a monthly newsletter called The Hoosier Woman, sponsored junior clubs for children, and established a scholarship fund.

In addition, it contributed to the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, D.C.[12][14] From 1904 to 1907, Ella Herrold (sometimes spelled Harrell) of Muncie served as the Indiana federation's first president.

[12][15][16] During its early years, the Indiana federation began fund-raising efforts to purchase a building for use as a state headquarters, but the clubwomen initially met in members' homes.

In 1927 the state federation filed incorporation papers and made a down payment to purchase the former residence of John and Sarah Minor on North Capitol Avenue in Indianapolis.

To celebrate the occasion during its annual meeting that year, federation members burned the mortgage papers on the front lawn of its headquarters.

His widow, Sarah, and daughter, Caroline Rodecker, lived in the home until the Indiana State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs purchased it in 1927.