Order Book of the U.S. District Court for the District of Indiana

This is the initial Order Book of the court, comprising the record of the first cases and proceedings from its inception to 1833. The book reveals the history of the organization of the federal district court for Indiana, listing names of judges, attorneys, court clerks, justices of the peace, plaintiffs, defendants, and those who served as jurors. Cases regarding land transactions and bankruptcies are recorded, along with a few naturalizations, criminal cases, contempt and divorce proceedings. Access to the book is provided through this digital copy only. Benjamin Parke described as the Court’s first judge on page 1 in 1817 would also later become the first president of the Indiana Historical Society in 1830.

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Indiana Sheet Music Collection

The works of Hoosier composers, publishers, lyricists, and artists are displayed in this collection along with songs about the state. It includes songs from the Civil War, WWI and WWII, songs based on literary works of Indiana authors such as James Whitcomb Riley, music by the Von Tilzers, and Paul Dresser, and songs with lyrics by Sarah T. Bolton, Robert Dale Owen, and other Hoosiers.

Click on the PDF link in the record to view the entire score. The music is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be used for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. It is the responsibility of the patron to obtain permission. IHS cannot sell scans of post 1922 music.

This collection is a work in progress as part of the IN Harmony National Leadership Grant provided by the Institute of Museum and Libraries Services. http://www.dlib.indiana.edu/projects/inharmony/

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Robert F. Kennedy's Visit to Indianapolis, 4 May 1968

U.S. Senator (D-NY) Robert F. Kennedy of New York declared his candidacy for President on 16 March 1968. In April and early May he made many campaign stops throughout Indiana. On 4 May he attended an event at the Hotel Sheridan-Lincoln and then visited several Indianapolis neighborhoods including one at 21st and Harding Streets depicted in these images. Katherine “Katie” Palmer was a resident of the neighborhood and took these pictures. This visit is exactly midway between the dates of two tragic events in American history: a month earlier on 4 April, Kennedy spoke to an Indianapolis crowd that had just learned of the assassination and death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Kennedy himself would fall to an assassin’s bullet a month later on 5 June.

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Images of Indiana

This digital collection consists of items requested by staff and patrons. The items have appeared in books, exhibits, marketing material, decorated restaurants, enhanced retirement parties, and enlivened family reunions. The collection will continue to grow as the IHS Collections help more and more people discover stories in Indiana history.

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Treasures from the Indiana Historical Society

For over 175 years, the Indiana Historical Society has been Indiana’s storyteller, connecting people to the past by collecting, preserving, interpreting, and disseminating the state’s history. During its anniversary year in 2005, the Society displayed Treasures from the Collections featuring a glimpse at some of the “jewels” that make the collection unique.

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Nineteen’s 19: Documents from Indiana History

The Indiana Historical Society, Indiana State Archives, Indiana Historical Bureau and the Indiana State Library have partnered to create three collections of historical documents representing Hoosier life, culture, politics, and economics. Volume I covers the territorial period to 1850, and includes excerpts from a travel account, early maps, personal letters, and government documents. Volume II spans Indiana history from 1851 to 1920.

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Ballard Garman Family Letters

Aaron Ballard moved from Virginia to Henry County, Indiana with his wife Nancy in the 1830s. They had six children, one daughter, Kate, married George Garman in 1864. Letters to Aaron Ballard are primarily from relatives left behind in Franklin Co., Virginia. Kate Ballard's letters are mostly from Union soldiers to whom she had written words of encouragement during the war. George Garman's letters include business correspondence and letters from his brothers.

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