May 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 drainage, a continuation of last month’s information on physical features of the county.

This may sound boring, but drainage is what pushed the county forward, cleaning the ground and air so that citizens wouldn't face malarial illnesses and forging a pathway to an agricultural mecca.
A Curiosity

An impromptu meeting of the citizens of Francesville and vicinity was held at W. A. Brewer's store, in Francesville, Ind., on Monday evening, Feb. 15, 1886, for the purpose of considering the advisability of organizing a Joint Stock Company for the purpose of prospecting for coal oil or valuable metals or minerals in or near the town of Francesville, Ind. 

Francesville February 20, 1886
Graduation

The annual commencement exercises of the Francesville and Salem township schools was held at the Christian Church in Francesville last Tuesday evening. There were six graduates--Sarah Noe (of Winamac), Martha Eldridge, Theodore Garrigues, Mary Hubbard, Edith Campbell and Charles H. Massey.

Francesville May 4, 1895
Virtual Road Trip: Destinations Edition

May 13, 2021
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Online, Via Zoom

We know there is nothing like hitting the open road and exploring some of the best corners of the Hoosier state. Brush off the wanderlust and virtually travel with us as we guide you through some of Indiana’s most interesting places.
An epic road trip isn’t complete without a great destination to end your journey. Join us as we explore some of  the Hoosier state’s best vacation locations, roadside attractions and getaway spots.  
Exploring Indiana’s Museums

Discover the rich historical heritage of Indiana using this comprehensive directory of the state’s diverse assortment of museums.

Exploring Indiana’s Museums includes the complete book, Short History of Museums, as well as a history of the Indiana State Museum and its State Historic Sites. The Short History of Museums relates the history of the ancient museums and includes a listing of the world’s leading museums.

This guide in an invaluable aid to homeschool parents on a quest to educate their children in the history and culture of Indiana. The guide includes history, art, train, fire department, children’s and many other types of museums.

At the time of this book’s publishing Indiana had approximately 348 museums located in most of its counties.
Find more information HERE.
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 37 - 40
I see Dye Thompson's lumber yard
And their old 'string haltered' horse;
I see the Klu Klux Klan get organized 
Then quickly run its course.
 
I see the pickle factory
And the light plant all aglow,
Across the street from the Christian Church
More than sixty years ago.
I see the elevator burn;
And Higgins Hardware Store,
I can really see a lot of things
That aren't there anymore.
 
I can see Gurd Surber's Hardware Store
With a new harness on a rack,
And all the implements that farmers buy
All stored out in the back.
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.
Drive The Historic National Road

Indiana Landmarks Affiliate, Indiana National Road Association, offers a new driving guide.

Come experience the beautiful history Indiana has to offer! See the iconic trail that has helped to connect our great nation, visit iconic sites…and grab some good food along the way. Help us support the rich heritage these landmarks represent. 

Check it out HERE.
Logs to Lustrons: Restoring Indiana’s Architectural Heritage in the Dunes

Thursday, May 20, 2021
7-8 p.m. EDT
Online event

Two couples share their experiences revitalizing early and mid-century landmarks in the Indiana Dunes National Park. During an online talk, Pat and Mike Shymanski showcase their restoration of the Oscar & Irene Nelson House, a nineteenth-century log structure hidden in plain sight. Laurie and Steve Snell discuss how they disassembled, moved, and restored the all-steel, prefabricated Jacob Lustron home. Indiana Landmarks staff will also share an overview of architecture throughout the park. A Q&A session follows the talk, which is presented by Indiana Landmarks and the Indiana Dunes National Park.

The talk is free for Indiana Landmarks members, $7/general public. Make your reservation online.
May is Preservation Month

Besides the pandemic, 2020 marked a milestone for the DHPA. The DHPA celebrated its 50th anniversary and listed Indiana’s 2,000th entry in the National Register of Historic Places. One of the DHPA’s federally-mandated duties as the state historic preservation office for Indiana is listing properties in the Register, which is the national list of sites that are important to our state’s history.
To commemorate these achievements, the DHPA partnered with the Indiana Plein Air Painting Association (IPAPA) to create a series of paintings depicting a handful of Indiana’s listed sites.

The paintings were completed in the first half of 2020 (so too late to feature for Preservation Month last year) and have been on exhibit around the state since then. The DHPA chose a handful of the paintings for the 2021 Historic Preservation Month poster and will be featuring 30 of the art works during the rest of May on Facebook.

If you would like to see all of them in person, they are on exhibit through September. Locations are: Nashville (May), Richmond (June-July), and Elkhart (August-September).
For more information on the exhibits or if you would like to purchase an exhibit catalog, go to www.inpainters.org. 
President: Ryan Harrison
Vice President (& Past President): Kathi Thompson
Secretary (& Genealogist): Janet Onken
Treasurer: Lin Morrison
Curator: [News Very Soon]

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.