Preservers of the Past: Indiana's County Historical Societies, 1995-1997
A Guide to the Collection of Oral History Interviews at Indiana University
Bloomington
Finding aid prepared by the staff of the Center for
the Study of History and Memory with a grant from the National Endowment for the
Humanities Division of Preservation and Access, 2000-2002
Overview of the Collection
Repository
Indiana University Center for Documentary Research and Practice
Indiana University
Franklin Hall 0030B
601 E. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812/855-2856
Fax: 812/855-0002
E-mail: ohrc@indiana.edu
http://mediaschool.indiana.edu/cdrp/oral-history/
Creator
Indiana University Center for the
Study of History and Memory
TitlePreservers of the Past: Indiana's County
Historical Societies, 1995-1997
Project No.
ohrc089
Interviews
11 interviews. Audiotapes, transcripts, and collateral
materials.
Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Franklin Hall, Room 0030B. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University
Archives.
Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews
from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.
Language
Materials are in English
Abstract
This project contains interviews of members of Indiana county historical societies.
The counties included are La Porte, Monroe, Noble, Jefferson, Wells, Randolph,
Tippecanoe, Vigo, and Johnson. The interviewees discuss local history and the
development of the historical society in their area. They describe society events,
funding, exhibits, and publications. The members also describe their connections to
their local history. They explain why they believe local history should be preserved
and the role of the historical society.
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains eleven interviews conducted over three years. The interviews range from 44 to 110 minutes. All
interviews consist of audio tapes and typed transcripts.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Oral history interviews conducted by the Indiana University Center for the
Study of History and Memory from 1968 to the present, with particular focus on the
history of twentieth-century America and the Midwest.
Usage Restrictions
The archive of the Center for Documentary Research and Practice at Indiana University is open
to the use of researchers. Copies of transcript pages are available only when such copies
are permitted by the deed of gift. Scholars must honor any
restrictions the interviewee placed on the use of the interview. Since some of our earlier
(pre-computer) transcripts do not exist in final form, any editing marks in a transcript
(deletions, additions, corrections) are to be quoted as marked. Audio files may not be copied for
patrons unless the deed of gift permits it, and a transcript is unavailable for that
interview. The same rules of use that apply to a transcript apply to the audio interview.
Interviews may not be reproduced in full for any public use, but excerpted quotes may be
used as long as researchers fully cite the data in their research, including accession
number, interview date, interviewee's and interviewer's name, and page(s).
Preferred Citation
[interviewee first name last name] interview, by [interviewer first name last
name], [interview date(s)], [call number], [project name], Center for Documentary Research and Practice, Indiana University,
Bloomington, [page number(s) or tape
number and side if no transcript; if digital audio and no transcript, cite time when quote occurs].
Interview List
Interviewee
Bender, Paul; Foster, James
April 11, 1997
Call Number
95-026
Physical Description
52 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 81 minutes; index; Wells
County Historical Society Quarterly Newsletter
Interviewer
Truesdell, Barbara
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Paul Bender and James Foster share information about their
educations and careers. They discuss their involvement with the Wells County
Historical Society and the community it serves. They discuss the growth and
changes of the society. This includes the museum's transformations and growth
and decline in membership. Foster and Bender continue with discussion of
funding for the Historical Society.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Allen County Public Library
- Indiana Historical Society
- Ku Klux Klan
- McDonnell Douglas Corporation
- Old Settlers Association
- W.B. Brown Company
- Wells County Historical Society
-
-
Occupation Names
- educator
- electrical engineer
- hospital administrator
-
-
Personal Names
- Colson, Hermine Wiecking
- Deam, Charles C.
- Fulhart, Anna
- Goodin, Peggy
- Park, David
- Park, Fred
- Scott, Everett
- Weinhart, Sandra
-
-
Place Names
- Berne, Indiana
- Bluffton, Indiana
- Geneva, Indiana
- Los Angeles, California
- Wells County, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- ambulance service
-
An Architectural Atlas of Wells
County, Indiana
- barrel factories
- cemetery tours
- Christmas open house
- Depression era teachers
- fundraisers
- fundraising
- historical museums
- historical society mission
- historical society programming
-
History of Wells County, Indiana,
1776-1976
- industry
- local history
- membership dues
- museum displays
- piano factories
- racial prejudice
- school tours
- tax disbursement
- volunteerism
-
Wells County, Indiana Family
History, 1837-1992
Interviewee
Buffenbarger, Wilbur October 2, 1995
Call Number
95-024
Physical Description
25 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 60 minutes; index
Interviewer
Truesdell, Barbara
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Wilbur Buffenbarger discusses the Noble County Historical Society in Albion,
Indiana. He explains the historical society facility's history and how it
was acquired. He discusses the quarterly newsletter,
The Pioneer Echoes. Buffenbarger also talks about the historic
landmarks in the area and the displays in the museum. Mary Leitch is also
present during the interview. She validates most dates and names given by
Buffenbarger.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Cole Foundation
- Luckey Hospital
- Noble County Historical Society
-
-
-
Occupation Names
- farmer
- historical society president
-
-
Personal Names
- Bender, Lloyd
- Briston, Joe
- Bushong, Harold
- Bushong, Martha
- LeCount, Joy
- LeCount, Nelson
- Rendell, Harold
- Seymour, Harold J.
- Zink, John
-
-
Place Names
- Albion, Indiana
- Noble County, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- facility repairs
- fundraising
- grants
- historic sites
- historical society origins
- museum displays
- newsletters
- volunteerism
Interviewee
Garton, Daisy Hinkle September 26, 1995
Call Number
95-023
Physical Description
22 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 50 minutes; index
Interviewer
Truesdell, Barbara
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Daisy Hinkle Garton describes the origins of the Old Library, Incorporated in
Monroe County, Indiana. She discusses her membership in this organization
and in the Monroe County Historical Society including the Genealogy Society.
Garton describes acquiring the old library and the growth of the Historical
Society.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana University
- Indiana University School of Music
- Monroe County Historical Society
- The Old Library, Incorporated
-
-
Personal Names
- Baker, Myra
- Brandis, Elizabeth
- Farmer, Mary Ellen
- Harrel, Kay Beth
- Miller, Rosemary
-
-
Place Names
- Bloomington, Indiana
- Monroe County, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- family history
- fundraising
- genealogy
- historical museums
- historical society facility
- historical society mission
- historical society publishing
- junior historical society
- volunteerism
Interviewee
Henry, Rachel
March 31, 1997
Call Number
95-030
Physical Description
21 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 55 minutes; index
Interviewer
Truesdell, Barbara
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Rachel Henry shares her experiences with the Johnson County
Historical Society. She discusses funding, the museum, new facilities, and
publications. She also describes the Fall Festival and Christmas displays the
museum coordinates. Henry discusses the establishment of the county and county
history. Some of the topics she covers are the origins of Camp Atterbury during
World War II and the settler experience.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Alexander Hamilton Chapter, DAR
- Camp Atterbury
- Daughters of the American Revolution
- Johnson County Historical Society
- Johnson County Museum of History
- Johnson County Public Library
-
-
Occupation Names
- curator
- museum director
-
-
Personal Names
- Bergen, John V.
- Branigan, Roger D.
- Devore, Olive N.
- Johnson, Grace
- McNutt, Paul V.
- Mitchell, Fred
- Plummer, Mary Ann
- Wetzel, Jacob
-
-
Place Names
- Franklin, Indiana
- Johnson County, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- farming
- fundraisers
- genealogy
- genealogy library
- historical society board
- historical society history
- historical society publications
- Indiana settlers
- Johnson County Fall Festival
- local history
- log cabins
- museum displays
- museum history
- new facility
- newsletters
- volunteerism
Interviewee
Munier, Mary Ellen
June 14, 1996
Call Number
95-025
Physical Description
38 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 90 minutes, index
Interviewer
Truesdell, Barbara
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Mary Ellen Munier, born in 1921, describes her work with the
Jefferson County Historical Society. Her discussion includes the textile
collection, museum displays, and remodeling. Munier explains broad goals and
acquisition policies of the Historical Society.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Cornerstone Society
- Historic Madison, Incorporated
- Indiana Historical Society
- Jefferson County Historical Society
- Jefferson Proving Ground
- North Madison School
- Pearl Button Company
- Robus Leather Corporation
-
-
-
Personal Names
- Dow, Margaret
- Hines, Elbert
- Imes, Mary Ann
- Luddington, Link
- Snyder, William
- Woodburn, Peter
- Wurtz, John
-
-
Place Names
- Jefferson County, Indiana
- Madison, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- archival cataloging
- family history
- garden tours
- historic home restoration
- historical society acquisition policy
- historical society funding
- historical society growth
- historical society mission
- historical society programming
- Indiana roadside exhibit
- local history
- local industry
- Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art
- museum displays
- museum remodeling
- new facility
- textile preservation
- volunteerism
Interviewee
Nordyke, Evelyn September 7, 1995
Call Number
95-020
Physical Description
44 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 55 minutes; index; newspaper article copy
about interviewee
Interviewer
Truesdell, Barbara
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Evelyn Nordyke describes the growth of the La Porte County Historical
Society. She explains the origins of the society and the community. Nordyke
also shares her family background and her more than twenty year involvement
with the historical society. She also discusses the society's newsletter
The Old Letter.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- La Porte County Historical Society
-
-
Family Names
- Andrews
- Bement
- Ingersoll
- McLane
-
-
Personal Names
- Burns, Virgil
- Coffeen, Ruth A.
- Gunness, Belle
- Langlois, Janet L.
- Schultz, Fern E.
-
-
Place Names
- La Porte County, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- donations
- genealogy
- historical society funding
- historical society library
- historical society origins
- historical society programming
- local history
- museum collections
- museum displays
- membership dues
- museum tours
- newsletters
- volunteerism
Interviewee
Paarlberg, Horace; Paarlberg, Mildred
April 4, 1997
Call Number
95-028
Physical Description
29 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 50 minutes; index
Interviewer
Truesdell, Barbara
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Horace and Mildred Paarlberg recount their involvement with the
Tippecanoe County Historical Association. They also discuss the activities of
the Association including the Feast of the Hunter's Moon, publishing, purchase
of the Moses Fowler House, library, battleground museum, and genealogy
workshops. Mr. Paarlberg also describes the financial hardships of the
historical society.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Agricultural Hall of Fame
- Great Lakes Chemical Company
- Heinz Pickle Company
-
LaFayette Journal and
Courier
- Monon Railroad
- Moses Fowler House Museum
- Prophetstown State Park
- Purdue University
- Tippecanoe Battlefield Grounds and Museum
- Tippecanoe County Historical Association
-
-
-
Personal Names
- Clark, Nicolas L.
- Kwiatkowski, Phillip C.
- Lilly, Eli
- Martin, Fern
- McCollough, Alameda
- McMillan, Katie
- Weirich, Nancy
- Williamson, Maurice
- Winter, George
-
-
Place Names
- Clinton County, Indiana
- Crown Point, Indiana
- Fort Ouiatenon, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- agriculture history
- archival cataloging
- Feast of the Hunters' Moon
- genealogy
- historic site markers
- historical association board
- historical society funding
- historical association library
- historical society publishing
- indexing vital records
- Indiana State Fairgrounds
-
Indians and a Changing Frontier:
The Art of George Winter
- volunteerism
-
Wheatnotes
Interviewee
Sacopulos, Joy
July 7, 1997
Call Number
95-029
Physical Description
54 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 105 minutes; index
Interviewer
Truesdell, Barbara
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Joy Sacopulos shares her experiences and involvement with the
Vigo County Historical Society. She describes the society's beginnings and
their financial struggles. Sacopulos also discusses the planning of many unique
events and fundraisers. The society organized street fairs, historic theme
events, cocktail parties, and an annual meeting to recognize their members.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- American Association for State and Local
History
- Association of Indiana Museums
- Clay County Historical Society
- Eugene V. Debs Museum
- Indiana Historical Society
- Indiana State Museum
- Indiana State University
- Indiana State University Tilson Music Hall
- Indiana University
- Italian-American Club
- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods-College
-
Tribune Star
- Vigo County Historical Society
-
-
Family Names
- Hulman
- Jackson
-
-
Occupation Names
- educator
-
-
Personal Names
- Dewey, Susan
- Dresser, Paul
- Hulbert, Sam
- Nation, Fred
- Pickett, William B.
- Vigo, Francis
- Voorhees, Daniel W.
-
-
Place Names
- Clay County, Indiana
- Sullivan County, Indiana
- Terre Haute, Indiana
- Vigo County, Indiana
- Wabash River, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- Christmas display
- family history
- federal funding
- fundraising
- grants
- historical museums
- historical society origins
- historical society programming
- local history
- membership
- National Road
- public library
- publicity
- toasting party
- Vigo County Historical Society annual meeting
Interviewee
Schultz, Fern Eddy September 7, 1995
Call Number
95-021
Physical Description
50 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 110 minutes; index
Interviewer
Truesdell, Barbara
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Fern Eddy Schultz discusses her involvement with the La Porte County
Historical Society. She explains the work she did in the archives, on the
board, and on the quarterly newsletter. Schultz also discusses her hopes for
the future of the Historical Society and its influence.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Allis-Chalmers Company
- Indiana Historical Society
- La Porte County Genealogical Society
- La Porte County Historical Society
- Northwest Indiana Genealogical Society
- Pullman Company
-
-
Occupation Names
- board president
- board vice president
- county historian
-
-
Personal Names
- Floering, Elizabeth Kenny
- Gunness, Belle
- Harrison, Hazel
- Mennen, Fred
- Tallant, Ruth
-
-
Place Names
- La Porte County, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- agriculture
- archives
- archives preservation
- family relations
- fundraising
-
History of La Porte County Indiana
- historical society board meetings
- historical society budgeting
- historical society development
- historical society mission
- historical society newsletters
- historical society publishing
- indexing vital records
- junior historical society
- La Porte County descendents
- local history
- museum tours
- newspaper articles
-
A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record
of La Porte County, Indiana
- volunteerism
Interviewee
Wahl, Henry E. September 14, 1995
Call Number
95-022
Physical Description
21 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 44 minutes; index
Interviewer
Truesdell, Barbara
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Henry E. Wahl shares his thoughts on the goals, role, and history of the
Monroe County Historical Society. He discusses the Wall of Fame Project
displayed at Bloomington High School that is sponsored by the Monroe County
Historical Society. He discusses his ancestry and the history of Monroe
County, Indiana.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Bloomington High School, Indiana
- Indiana University
- Mathers Museum of World Cultures
- Monroe County Historical Society
- Pfizer, Incorporated
- Showers Brothers Furniture Company
- The Old Library, Incorporated
-
-
Occupation Names
- board president
-
-
Personal Names
- Bryan, William Lowe
- Butcher, Joseph
- Carmichael, Hoagy
- Greevey, Henry
- Kisters, Jerry
- Lockridge, Ross, Jr.
- Teter, Nellie Showers
- Woodburn, James A.
-
-
Place Names
- Bloomington, Indiana
- Monroe County, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- Bloomington High School Wall of Fame
- community involvement
- family history
- fundraising
- German ancestry
- historical society programming
- historical society role
- letter writing
-
Letters From Honeyhill: A View of Homesteading,
1914-1931
- local celebrities
- local history
Interviewee
Wisener, Monisa
November 24,
1996
Call Number
95-027
Physical Description
33 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 90 minutes; index
Interviewer
Truesdell, Barbara
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Monisa Wisener, born in 1932, describes her involvement with the
Randolph County Historical Society and the Genealogy Society. She discusses the
history of Randolph County. Wisener discusses the two publications of the
historical society, and the growth of the society. The historical society has
held many activities including fairs, restoration, a monopoly game and tours of
their museum.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Randolph County Genealogy Society
- Randolph County Health Department
- Randolph County Historical Society
- Randolph County Pioneer Society
- Union Literary Institute
-
-
Occupation Names
- county historian
- health department registrar
- Stanley dealer
-
-
Personal Names
- Tucker, Ebenezer
- Wachter, Jim
-
-
Place Names
- Randolph County, Indiana
- Richmond, Indiana
- Winchester, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
-
1882 History of Randolph
County
- African-American population
- cemeteries
- genealogy
- genealogy library
- historical society funding
- historical society museum
- history fairs
-
History of Randolph County,
1990
- industry
- membership dues
- monument restoration
- newsletters
- Quaker population
- volunteerism
