January 2021
From The Southeast Corner Of the County

Like most Pulaski County communities, the villages on the southeast side are lost to the time. Once vibrant towns, they are now bedroom communities that struggle to maintain basic services. They were among the first places to be settled by whites in the 1830s. Here is just a brief history.
Seeking Volunteer Curator
We are looking for a volunteer curator - or a couple of people that would like to serve as co-curators - for our historical museum.

The curator is a key member of our team and would also be a member of the Historical Society Board of Director's Executive Committee.

If you are interested, please submit an application!
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Thank you! And if you received this via email, you're good!!
A Tidbit Of History
The Winamac Journal: Saturday January 26, 1883

At eight o'clock Monday morning (January 21, 1883) the mercury stood at eighteen degrees below zero, and ranged about zero all through the day.
Go HERE for more information on History Happy Hour: Martin Luther King Jr. in Indiana.
Go HERE for more information on the Free Admission to the Indiana Historical Society on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Lending A Helping Hand
A Poem By Willard C. Myers
From The Francesville Tribune July 13, 1972, Written January 1, 1971

This is a continuation of the poem, begun in the Newsletter dated June 2020. You can find past editions of the Newsletter HERE.

Stanzas 21 - 24
Al Shirtz in the corner barber shop
Was busy cutting hair;
He always had a lot of fun
Never seemed to have a care.

I see John Reames with his old wagon
Hauling cobs for fifty cents;
And a well stocked little grocery store
That was owned by Henry Jentz.
I see Walt Engle meet the train
To get the mail each day,
While Hannah waited to read the cards
That's what they used to say.

Harry Ames, the Lawyer
And young Doc Byrd, the Vet;
Then, Charlie Clark, the grocer,
And I'll bet he's laughing yet.
Willard C. Myers is connected to the town of Francesville through birth and remaining family. We will continue to feature this poem until we have offered it to completion. Natives will probably recognize many of the people and places that will be mentioned.
Donate To Save History
A Gift That Keeps Giving

For the persons on your gift list that have everything they need, or for those who value history, make a contribution to the Historical Society in their name. We'll email a certificate that you can print and place in a stocking. (See a sample below!)

Find a convenient way to do that here.
The quick and easy way to make a contribution to the Historical Society is to utilize this QR code.

We're trying to drag history into the 21st Century!

Thank you for considering this opportunity!
Mary Conner Appointed New Pulaski County Historian
Press Release December 2020, Karen Fritz

The Indiana County Historian Program has announced that Mary Conner of Winamac has been appointed the new Pulaski County Historian, effective January 1.

The Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Historical Bureau established the County Historian Program in 1981 in an effort to improve the historical communication network in the state. Each county has one county historian. IHS’s Local History Services Department coordinates the program.

Local historical organizations in each county nominate county historians to renewable three-year terms. Conner was nominated by the Pulaski County Historical Society. The Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Historical Bureau appoint the nominees as official county historians. County historians are volunteers and receive no compensation for their work.

Conner says her objective in the position is to “educate and bring awareness of Pulaski County history and to represent the county and local historical society in a professional manner and within a timely period.” She also hopes to start a History Day program for county youth.

According to the Indiana County Historian program, each Indiana county historian acts as:

  • a coordinator of historical information sources for the county he or she serves
  • a resource person for historical inquiries from within and without the county
  • an emissary of the Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Historical Bureau, promoting cooperation between local historical organizations while reducing duplication of effort
  • an educator able to travel within the county and capable of serving the needs of his or her constituents
  • a student willing to devote time and effort to learning new techniques and technologies
  • a historian well acquainted with and interested in the county’s heritage

Conner succeeds Karen Fritz who has served three terms in the position. She declined re-appointment to pursue other historical projects, independently and with the Pulaski County Historical Society. Previous county historians have been Lynda Irving and Richard Dodd.
Saving Places That Enrich Lives
Indiana Landmarks

In addition to giving tremendous financial and technical support for the local Courthouse project, Indiana Landmarks provides a wealth of information about and support for vintage homes and factories, churches, barns and bridges.
Support Indiana Landmarks. Join to help save the historic places that make our communities more beautiful, more interesting, singular and special. LINK
Pulaski County Historical Society
President: Ryan Harrison
Vice President (& Past President): Kathi Thompson
Secretary (& Genealogist): Janet Onken
Treasurer: Lin Morrison
Curator: Dr. Natalie Tucker
Historian: Karen Fritz
Terms Ending 2021:
  • Brian Capouch
  • Ryan Crawford
  • Judge Michael Shurn
Terms Ending 2022:
  • Sara Kroft
  • Jolie Simmermaker
  • Vacancy
Terms Ending 2023
  • Mary Conner
  • Becky Dilts
  • Steve Morrison
Membership

$30 Individual
$40 Family
$80 Sustaining / Corporate
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Contributors to this edition: Janet Onken, Kathi Thompson
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To submit an article for consideration for this newsletter, send it via email. If you have photos, please submit them as well. We welcome all articles of historic interest regarding Pulaski County.