May 2023
Higher Education in Pulaski County

A version of this article first appeared in the Pulaski County Journal in 2012 as part of a series the author wrote entitled “A Curious Historian’s Tales.”

Because of my career as a professor, I was especially interested to learn that in pioneer days there were nascent colleges in Pulaski, White, and Jasper Counties. Down in Farmington, now called Burnettsville, The Farmington Male and Female Seminary was formed in 1852. It was a joint-stock company, meaning that it was intended to be for profit. It operated for a number of years, and according to the Battey history, was quite popular in its day, "receiving pupils from Logansport, La Fayette, Peru, Winamac, Delphi, and nearly all of the cities and towns in this portion of the state." The roster of alumni included at least one member of Congress, "Hon. Calkins, M.C." 

Continue reading HERE.
Save the Date
A Night of Murder and Intrigue 
You are cordially invited to attend the inaugural murder mystery event hosted by the Pulaski County Historical Society on Saturday, October 7th at 6:00pm. 

This interactive and lively event will feature dinner, drinks, and crime-solving fun. Tickets required: purchasing details coming soon. 
This “ole” violin was handmade in the year 1647 at Beaver, New York.

It was hand-crafted by a Bavarian named Elmer Gruber. He came from a long line of German cello and violin makers who migrated from Bavaria to Canada. The violin came to the Lindesmith family at the close of the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.

At least that's the beginning of the story the Historical Society received when the violin was given to us. Now restored as "display ready," it now rests in the museum.

Come see us, and get the rest of the story!
The Historical Museum exists to save and exhibit items of interest to Pulaski County. We have limited space, both for display and storage. As such, we must be judicious in the items we accept.

If a donation has been accepted, it is considered an unrestricted gift. We reserve the right to keep or to dispose of the item as appropriate. All donations should be accompanied with a monetary donation.

A full donation policy is available for review. Please request it via email.
Every member is invited to attend monthly board meetings and take part in discussions. Voting privileges are granted only to members of the board.

Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM at the Museum.
To be included on reminder emails, please make that request by emailing us.
Please Enjoy These Videos

  • 2023 Annual Meeting, featuring Fred Zahrt, speaking on kit houses, both the industry and local examples.
  • A trailer for the upcoming film, Tractors on the Tippecanoe.
  • A workshop series, How to Research the History of Your Old House, presented by the Pulaski County Historical Society and provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities through Indiana Humanities and Indiana Landmarks.
  • Itch's Room, his cobbler shop, tools, and a variety of historical items.
  • A video on the interpretive sign at the Artesian Well, produced by the Pulaski County Tribe.
  • A brief history of Vurpillat's Opera House
  • 2021 Annual Meeting, featuring Brenda Gilsinger and the history of Pulaski (the town)
  • 2022 Annual Meeting, featuring Shirley Willard from the Fulton County Historical Society, the history of the Potawatomi in Fulton & Pulaski Counties and the Trail of Death.
This poem was written in the summer of 1979 by Mary K. Wiesjahn Williamson. a Star City native. She was born in 1918 and died at the age of 99 in 2018. If you would like to catch up on the series, it started in the January 2023 edition of the e-newsletter. FIND IT HERE.
The Meat Market & Picture Show
Butch Fry owned a meat market away back then,
Just across from the picture show.
Mr. & Mrs. Appleman were the owners of that,
Tho' I wasn't too often permitted to go.
Later on Ray Badger became owner of the Show,
Twas 'bout the time that "Talkies" came in,
So the old player piano that I dearly loved, went out,
Which I considered almost a sin!
Most time rolls were used in the player-piano,
At other times someone played it by hand.
Fae Stephens was one whom they hired for this job;
Either way, the music always sounded grand!
Gifts For Any Reason

What do you give to the person who loves history? Give a gift that supports local efforts to record it. Consider a certificate for birthdays or anniversaries, or for any reason!
Thank you for considering this opportunity to support your local Historical Society!
Trivia on the Canal: Authors
Apr 14, 2023
7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Trivia is coming to the Indiana Historical Society! Join us each month, March through November, for three exciting rounds of themed history trivia. The theme for April is Authors!
Rounds will include themed national history knowledge, Indiana history, and the Indiana Historical Society collections. Don’t worry if you aren’t an expert on the IHS collections. We will send you a collection guide if you register in advance of the event to give you a leg up. Sign up HERE.
The Past in Our Present – Inflation
Mar 6, 2023 - Oct 28, 2023
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Focusing on the way history can help us understand our present is the purpose of a new gallery exhibit called The Past in Our Present. The gallery contains frequently-rotating materials reflecting current events — showing the timely nature of what some would deem ancient history.

The current exhibit, located in the Herbst Family Gallery, explores the topic of inflation. While we hear about inflation on an almost daily basis and feel it each time we visit the grocery store and gas pump, many of us know little about how it has affected the United States in the past, its evolving definition, or the role Hoosiers played reacting to inflation in the past.

The exhibit explores four moments in history when inflation was center stage — starting with the Civil War, when many Hoosiers led the charge as members of the Greenback Movement, an effort to keep the large amount of cash for the Civil War circulating.

It will look at the eras surrounding each World War and how those conflicts created inflationary concerns as demand skyrocketed with so many resources going to the war effort. Some of the patriotic tasks our fellow Hoosiers engaged in during this period, like Victory Gardens and Liberty Loans, were in part an effort to curb inflation.

Finally, we will explore a time many of our visitors remember, the inflation of the 1970s. While having complex causes, its outcomes presented real challenges for everyday Americans. Just like today, debates over inflation entered the political arena with Gerald Ford launching his WIN campaign, an acronym for Whip Inflation Now.
12 Indiana Authors You Should Know
Now through June 3, 2023.

This exhibit explores 12 Indiana authors who wrote about such themes as westward expansion and travel, women’s rights, social reform, historical writing, children’s literature and war experiences. Inevitably, the Hoosier authors displayed in the exhibit were influenced by Indiana’s culture, nature, politics and society, but their writings also shaped local and national literature.

A few highlighted authors include Ernie Pyle, Mary Ritter Beard and Etheridge Knight.

Visitors will be able to view a selection of books written by the Hoosiers as well as photos and documents that display the careers of the Indiana authors. More information HERE.
Documents That Shaped America
Now through August 25, 2023

America’s founding was influenced by many different writers, philosophers, politicians and leaders. This exhibit showcases many of these significant historical written works.

The exhibit features an impressive collection of early editions of some of the most important manuscripts in American history including a first edition 1788 U.S. Constitution (one of five known copies), a first edition of the Gettysburg Address, and an early edition of Life & Times of Frederick Douglass (1893).

It also features texts that help build the major foundational pieces of Western democratic philosophy, such as a 1350 edition of the Magna Carta.

With more than 1,550 items, the collection contains historic manuscripts, books, and publications that encompass subjects such as religion, philosophy, politics, mathematics, science, and economics. Public access to these important items is made available to promote conversations on topics such as liberty and human dignity. More information HERE.
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
Affiliate Membership

The Pulaski County Historical Society is an affiliate member of Indiana Landmarks. For information about the affiliate organizations around the state, and all of the exciting work they are doing, please head over to our Affiliate's Webpage.
Our sponsorship program is new as of January 2023!
The successful operation of the society relies on contributions from members and friends. The Society maintains Membership and Sponsorship programs and collects contributions outside both of those programs.
Leadership

President: Ryan Harrison
Vice President (& Past President): Kathi Thompson
Secretary: Janet Onken
Treasurer: Lin Morrison
Curator: Vacant

Terms Ending 2024
  • Brian Capouch
  • Karen Fritz
  • Judge Michael Shurn
Terms Ending 2025
  • Lenora Hoover
  • Jolie Simmermaker
  • Chris Zahrt
Terms Ending 2026
  • Steve Morrison
  • Anne Scott
  • Dave Scott
Ex Officio: County Historian (also County Genealogist) Mary Conner
Membership

  • Individual ($30)
  • Family ($40)
  • Sustaining / Corporate ($80)

All members are welcome to volunteer with PCHS in any area of their interest and to attend meetings. Board meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of every month, in person or via Zoom, or a hybrid.

Sponsorship

We value sponsorships, as they support us on an entirely different level! We have the following sponsorship levels:

  • Antiquity ($1,000)
  • Heirloom ($500)
  • Heritage ($250)
  • Legacy ($150)
  • Tradition (Any Amount)
Make a Contribution

In lieu of joining either as a member or a sponsor, you can make a contribution here. This link will assist you in using PayPal or sending a check. A quick and easy way to make a contribution is to utilize this QR code.
Volunteers Manage Their Own Hours

We use SignUp.com to organize our upcoming museum shifts. Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

  1. Click this link: https://signup.com/go/RuLRDVM
  2. Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
  3. Sign up! You will not need to register an account or keep a password.

Note: If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact Kathi Thompson and she will sign you up manually.
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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.
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