Let's start the fall with some old fashioned recipes. Just because. Happy fall, y'all! |
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A Mastodon From Pulaski County's Marshlands
The greater portion of the land area of Pulaski County was swamp lands and entered as such by original purchasers. Before drainages were constructed these lands were very wet and unhealthy, producing practically nothing but wild hay. The earlier settlers suffered much sickness from malaria and ague, many dying as a result.
An early photograph (1917) of the mastodon from the memorabilia of Judge John G. Reidelbach and used in his history. The photo was sent by the Smithsonian Institute.
After the wet lands were drained, healthier conditions prevailed, and untiring pioneers prospered, improved their homes, and made great advancements in agricultural pursuits on their farms until the farm lands in the county are second to none for raising corn, wheat, oats, clover, and all other kinds of food and vegetables.
Continue the Article HERE.
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The County of Long Ago, by E.R. Brown
This is the fifth in a Series of Reminiscences by E. R. Brown.
Perhaps all of us complain sometimes about the condition of our public roads and it may be well for us to give some attention to expenditures for them. But among the many things which in my early life were in striking contrast with present-day conditions, the public roads are certainly entitled to mention. To say that there were no public roads in Pulaski County in my early life would not be far from the truth.
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Could you be the victim? The murderer? |
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Join the Pulaski County Historical Society for a night of ‘murder’ and intrigue, 1920’s style. This inaugural fundraising event is sure to deliver equal doses of good food, good drinks, good friends, and great fun.
Use this QR Code to get to the webpage:
Paid RSVPs are due by Wednesday, 09/27.
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Rotating Display: Kit Homes, by Fred Zahrt |
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Displayed here are a few of my representative kit home catalogs for your viewing. They are fragile, as some of them date in the 1920s. They list the many designs that different manufacturers created. These will help identify kit (or ready-cut) homes in Winamac and the surrounding area.
I believe there are 40+ kit homes in the county. These different homes had the lumber cut to size and all the purchaser had to do was nail them in place. Materials were always top quality, and the homes were designed by architects.
I gave a talk to the Pulaski County Historical Society a few months ago on kit homes, and it was recorded. Should you wish to watch it, visit this YouTube page. |
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Two "Policemen" Added In Winamac
Winamac Republican, April 21, 1921
Two new “traffic cops” have been stationed on Winamac downtown corners this week. One is located at the Kittinger lumber yard corner and the second at the Kocher meat market corner. The posts are made of poured concrete from the same molds as the posts on the other business corners. The red-light globes have proven highly successful, no accidents having occurred to the four test posts since they were installed several months ago.
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Early Winamac Street Light
This globe, donated by Elmo and Janet Kruzick Hartwick, is on display in the museum. To translate the newspaper article above, the concrete posts were stationed in the center of the intersections at Main & Logan Streets and Pearl & Market Streets. Each was topped with a red glass globe over one light bulb. Vehicles had to go around them to make left turns. The story is told that they were taken out after Petey DeMoss was injured after hitting one with his mail push-cart.
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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.
We like to say that we don't just accept "stuff," we collect stories of interest to Pulaski County.
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. |
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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.
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To be included on reminder emails, please make that request by emailing us. |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Back to the 20's we skip back again to see the Bank,
Where the Post Office now stands.
Ruben Minton and Fielden Buck were the 'Heads of State',
With A. P. Wirick and George Kistler their helping hands.
Today the Star City's lovely new Bank
Can be found out on State Road 35.
Mrs. Dean Parcel is Manager, and their Community Room
Helps keep the town alive.
There's a mighty fine Crew at the Post Office,
Tis' a fact, and we'll never complain,
They get the mail to us regularly--
Though fair weather, snow or rain.
Rev. Kenneth Broad is Postmaster with
Veneda Hoesel by his side,
George Jordon and Tom Davis are rural carriers,
And in their work, all take pride.
Post Masters: Charlie King, Burl King, Harry Korner, Josie Korner (assistant postmaster)
Rural Carriers: Johnny Wallace, Bill Geier, C. D. Brown, Dan White, Orvie Johnston, Tom Davis, George Jordon (Harry Roth, assistant).
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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!
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Thank you for considering this opportunity to support your local Historical Society! |
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Hoosier History Project
Hoosier History Live is an independently produced new media project about Indiana history, integrating podcasts, website, newsletter, and social media. Its original content comes initially from a live with call in weekly talk radio show hosted by author and historian Nelson Price. You can hear the show live Saturdays from noon to 1 pm ET. It’s over the air in Central Indiana at WICR 88.7 fm, or you can stream at the WICR HD1 app on your phone.
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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. LEARN MORE
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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.
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Support Indiana Landmarks
Join to help save the historic places that make our communities more beautiful, more interesting, singular and special. LINK
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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. |
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Century of Progress Home Tour 2023
Visit five homes featured at the 1933 “Century of Progress” Chicago World’s Fair, relocated to the Indiana shore of Lake Michigan.
September 30,2023, 8 a.m.- 3:20 p.m. CDT
Indiana Dunes Visitors Center, 1215 N State Road 49, Porter, IN 46304
The 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago—called the Century of Progress—offered millions of people in the depths of the Great Depression a hopeful vision that highlighted futuristic changes on the horizon. Developer Robert Bartlett brought a dozen buildings from the fair to Indiana, including five from the Homes and Industrial Arts housing exhibit that make up the Century of Progress Historic District. The buildings were moved by barge and truck to Beverly Shores, a resort community Bartlett was developing on the Indiana shore of Lake Michigan. You can visit the cluster of five landmarks on the annual Century of Progress home tour on September 30, sponsored by Indiana Landmarks in partnership with the National Park Service.
The tour admits you to the first floor of the House of Tomorrow, Cypress, Florida Tropical, Armco-Ferro, and Rostone houses. As you can tell by their names, the houses at the fair promoted products for residential living—Florida’s beachy appeal, and artificial stone, metal, glass and cypress wood as building materials.
Four of the five houses looked wildly modern in 1933, so ahead of their time that they remain modern looking today. The Cypress House, honoring its material, looks like a rustic log cabin, albeit with modern amenities. To save the structures, Indiana Landmarks leased them from the National Park Service, then subleased four to people who have restored them in exchange for long-term leases. You’ll also see the House of Tomorrow (declared a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation) in its pre-restored state, secured from the elements.
TICKETS
Tickets cost $35/person, $30/member of Indiana Landmarks and may be purchased online beginning Monday, August 7, 2023 at 9 a.m. Eastern (8 a.m. Central time) at centuryofprogresstour23.eventbrite.com. For an additional $15, purchase a commemorative tour t-shirt depicting the Rostone house; pre-purchased t-shirts will be available at check-in.
The tour lasts a little over two hours and is guided by park rangers and volunteers who will provide histories and architectural overviews at each property. For a deeper immersion, come on Friday evening, September 29 to hear talks on the 1933 World’s Fair and the restoration of the Rostone house.
Because there is no parking available in the historic district, your timed entry ticket includes shuttle transportation to the district from the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, 1215 North State Road 49, Porter, IN, 46304. The private homes are clustered together on either side of Lake Front Drive within easy walking distance of one another.
Touring the historic homes requires walking and climbing stairs. If you require assistance, please call Indiana Landmarks’ Northern Regional Office, 574-232-4534.
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Trades Training Workshops in South Bend
This series of trades training workshops presented by Indiana Landmarks, South Bend Tradeworks, and the South Bend Historic Preservation Commission is aimed at equipping historic homeowners with DIY knowledge and contractors with in-demand skills.
Wed, Oct 4, 12:00 PM + 1 more event
More dates available
St. Joe County Public Library • South Bend, IN
Starts at $5.00
Wed, Oct 18, 12:00 PM + 1 more event
More dates available
St. Joe County Public Library • South Bend, IN
Starts at $5.00
Wed, Nov 1, 12:00 PM + 1 more event
More dates available
St. Joe County Public Library • South Bend, IN
Starts at $5.00
Get more information and/or register HERE. |
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Our sponsorship program is new as of January 2023! |
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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. |
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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
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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)
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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. |
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Volunteers Manage Their Own Hours
We use SignUp.com to organize our upcoming museum shifts. Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
- Click this link: https://signup.com/go/RuLRDVM
- Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
- 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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Subscribe to this e-Newsletter
If someone shared this email with you, you may not be on our email list. Just follow this link. On the website, fill out the form, and BOOM! You'll be a part of history! |
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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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Pulaski County Historical Society: All Rights Reserved |
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