June 2023
Weston Hansell, Local Inventor

Submitted by Brian Capouch

One of the coolest aspects of doing historical work is the chance to suddenly gain fresh insights about relationships. That magic is in full force this week as I present the story of Clarence Weston Hansell, a Medaryville farm boy who made it big. His sister, Zera Howe, was probably the most prolific historian who has ever worked in this part of the country. Amongst his hundreds of inventions and innovations were technologies which changed the world.


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.
Rotating Display
This month’s rotating community display features local advertisements from the collections of Dave Scott and Charles Knarr. Between them they have been collecting antiques for over 100 years. They both have a particular interest in local advertising pieces. The display features advertisements from businesses in Medaryville, Francesville, Pulaski, Winamac and Monterey. Pieces displayed date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

If you’re interested in being a featured collector please reach out to info@pulaskihistory.net.
The Museum Gardens Proclaim Summer!

The Heirloom seeds planted several years ago continue to bloom, heralding the end of spring and beginning of summer. A new addition to the garden is a bed of succulents in the urn.
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.
Gasoline Price Drops Two Cents
 
Gasoline prices dropped two cents a gallon Tuesday, according to W. G. Burget of the Francesville Garage, local retail dealer in Standard Oil products. The price per gallon will now be 18.3 cents per gallon, or 92 cents for 5 gallons.
 
Francesville Tribune Jan. 31, 1929
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 Lumberyard & Elevator
Well, let's go back to the 20's, 
Since that's where we're supposed to be,
We find Blakeley's Lumberyard next to Phillip's Elevator, 
Everyone knew him by Mr. J. C.
In 1915 when the Elevator burned it was a tragic affair,
America Jones & Dr. Stephen's wife ran to town,
 And climbed the school's stairs.
They rang the bell so that help would come,
 And became so very tired that, 
 Mrs. Stephens's heart gave out, 
And she immediately expired.
The Elevator was rebuilt again,
 And business got back on the mend.
Today finds it be managed by your 
Farm Bureau Co-op friend.
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!
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
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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