August 2021
White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana, Published by F.A. Battey & Co., Chicago: 1883

Every month, we will feature a portion of this book, published in 1883, with a historical perspective of Pulaski County.

It comes to you, warts and all! Mostly not warts, but some.

This month, we will share what meager history exists – at least in this book – of the Native Americans that lived on this land. Actually, this month, numerous “notes” are included, and we have actually excised portions.


And stay tuned for additional historical information about the roots of Native American history in Pulaski County.
A brief history of Vurpillat's Opera House is available on our YouTube channel. Check it out HERE.

Also on our channel:
  • 2021 Annual Meeting, featuring Brenda Gilsinger and the history of Pulaski (the town)
A Curiosity
 
Francesville Town Council Meeting:  A fire bell has been purchased and is to be mounted on the jail building.

At the same meeting: A paid fire company will be organized and will consist of members of the band.
 
Francesville Tribune, May 17, 1906
We will continue to include a link to the Memorial Swinging Bridge Project as it works its way toward the centenary anniversary.

The bridge was dedicated to veterans from Pulaski County.

Follow the progress by signing up for the monthly newsletter. Go to the website; the form is easily found!
This month in the newsletter (releasing on the 15th of the month):

  • Historical Context of the Bridge
  • Pulaski: A Man with a History
  • Greatest Generation of Pulaski County: 1944, In The Thick Of It
  • Donors
  • All About The Lights
  • Photo Gallery
Indiana Lore Exhibit Opens August 7

Photo Credit: Image courtesy of Churubusco History Center
Larger-than-life tales exist all over the world, even among the small towns and cornfields of the Hoosier state. Make plans to visit our newest exhibit, Indiana Lore, (Aug. 7 - Nov. 6) to trace the roots of Hoosier-based tall tales.
For example, you can learn all about the palm reader at the Tuckaway House, the supernatural spirit haunting Willard Library in Evansville, and the giant turtle that supposedly lived in Fulk Lake near Churubusco (photo above).
Visit Indiana Lore, and see if you can tell the truth from the myths! In addition, see the tales come alive in the exhibit through the original artwork of Indianapolis-based artists, the BrainTwins.

Reconstructing Rural Communities

Wednesday, August 11 | 6 – 8 pm EST | $15; $10 IHS Member

Let’s jump right into “Roots to Roofs” with the open roads and open spaces that enticed people for generations. Researching rural areas and towns does not need to be difficult due to their remoteness from big city life. Explore documents, maps, and alternative resources to navigate the rebuilding of a farmhood. 
Leaving the Farm: Town and City Living

Wednesday, August 18 | 6 – 8 pm EST | $15; $10 IHS Member

Dive into tips on building the town of your family. With expert advice on really understanding how to use city directories, employee newsletters, and newspapers we’ll guide you into rebuilding community. With examples of 20th century Eastern European immigrants and African American families from the Great Migration, walk away with understanding how to research, write, and build a community identity around your ancestors. 
The places our ancestors lived help us to tell their stories. Join us for a series of workshops to learn how to rebuild the worlds where your families lived. From urban neighborhoods to rural farms, we will help you to dive into the places and spaces where your family came from to tell a fuller story.  

Register for all four for a $10 discount and four chances to win a Midwestern Roots 2022 full conference registration. That’s a $200 value!  MORE INFORMATION HERE.

Presented by OneAmerica with support from the Center for Black Literature and Culture, Indianapolis Public Library
Crescendo: The History of the ISO | Part 2

Aug 17, 2021, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. MORE INFORMATION HERE

Free! Online, via Facebook Live. (No Facebook account is necessary to view the live video.)

Gather your lunch and join us for a three-part series exploring the history of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Hear the music that has shaped the orchestra, while we explore the leaders and musicians that molded it over the last 90 years. 

  • Tuesday, August 17, Noon EST | Staying the Course (1955-2001) with Tom Akins
  • Tuesday, August 24, Noon EST | 21st Century Changes (2001 to present) with Katie McGuiness, Ty Johnson, and Tony Kniffen

Presented in partnership with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
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 49 - 52
I see my brother Harry
Graduate from "Notre Dame"
I see he and Bess get married
And leaving in the rain.
 
I see my brother Walter
When he lived out on the farm,
And I see his good wife Hulda
Gathering eggs out in the barn.
I see my sister Evelyn
The night she married Roe,
And then leave on their honeymoon
Nearly fifty years ago.
 
I see my Mother writing verse
By a kerosene light at home,
And I wish I had the talent
That she had for a poem.
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.
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, an envelope or a frame. 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!
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.
Back to the Future: A Mid-Century Modern Home Tour 
AUGUST 19, 2021, 7: PM - Online Event

Our popular Back to the Future: A Mid-Century Modern Home Tour returns this year in a video format, taking attendees on a journey to five Modernist standouts around the state. See Modern houses in Munster, West Lafayette, Bloomington, Floyds Knobs, and a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home in Marion.

Sponsored by Indiana Landmarks’ affinity group, Indiana Modern, and hosted by Mary Rachel Redman of Inside Indiana Business.

Tickets are $20/general public, $15/Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Modern members. Video tour premieres at 7 p.m. on August 19 and ticket buyers have access for two weeks following.

Bonus: Join a live Q&A session after the tour premiere. Buy tickets online HERE.
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Century of Progress Home Tour
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SEPTEMBER 25 & 26 - Beverly Shores – Indiana Dunes National Park

Visit four homes featured at the 1933 “Century of Progress” Chicago World’s Fair, relocated to the Indiana shore of Lake Michigan.

Timed-entry tour tickets go on sale August 2 at 9 a.m. Eastern / 8 a.m. Central. Note: all tour times will appear as Central Daylight Time. Learn More

For a deeper immersion, come on Friday evening, September 24 to hear brief talks on the 1933 World’s Fair, the architectural legacy of the House of Tomorrow, and the history of Indiana Dunes National Park. Tickets for the talks also go on sale August 2.  

SPONSORED BY Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Dunes National Park . Learn More
President: Ryan Harrison
Vice President (& Past President): Kathi Thompson
Secretary (& Genealogist): Janet Onken
Treasurer: Lin Morrison
Curator: Cozette Mengerick

Terms Ending 2022:
  • Sara Kroft
  • Jolie Simmermaker
  • [Vacancy]
Terms Ending 2023
  • Mary Conner (also County Historian)
  • Becky Dilts
  • Steve Morrison
Terms Ending 2024
  • Brian Capouch
  • Karen Fritz
  • Judge Michael Shurn
Membership

$30 Individual
$40 Family
$80 Sustaining / Corporate


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.
If someone shared this email with you, you may not be on our email list. Just click the button. On the website, fill out the form, and BOOM! You'll be a part of history!
Contributors to this edition: Janet Onken, Kathi Thompson
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.