Author Archives: Adam Harness

Dates of Caring: February Celebration Days

This last month of winter is arguably the most romantic month of all, no doubt because of that cloying holiday we call Valentine’s Day. February 14th is, of course, devoted to all things that communicate love, from Hallmark cards and heart-shaped chocolate boxes to freshly cut roses. But romance and symbolism aside, Valentine’s Day is […]

Not Just Sew Sew: National Embroidery Month

I started my embroidering journey in elementary school. To be honest, I was really upset with my mom that she first started teaching me some of the more intricate stitches, French knots, satin stitch, stem stitch and more over the more common cross stitch, which she was teaching to my friend. She noted that cross […]

Celebration Days in August

April may be the cruelest month, but August is surely the sunniest! Warm days and clear azure skies make me think of two seemingly unrelated subjects that reach great heights: aviation and rollercoasters. Perhaps by coincidence, perhaps by intention, two days in August celebrate these wildly different marvels of human engineering. August 19th is National […]

Celebration Days in June

June is probably best known for their major celebrations like Father’s Day, Juneteenth and others. However, to continue our National Days blog series, I’ve highlighted two of the lesser celebrations as illustrated by materials from the IHS digital collection. One particular day, in the list of many for June, standing out to me was National […]

Pride Month: Newton Arvin, Valpo Native

In honor of Newton Arvin, I dedicate this blog to the struggles, both personal and community-wide in the LGBTQ+ population, and to celebrate this year’s Pride month. Arvin was a native of Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana, identified above by the courthouse he would have passed during his younger years spent in Indiana. Lately, I have […]

Indiana Historical Society Provides More Than $450,000 to Local Historical Organizations through Latest Heritage Support Grants

The Indiana Historical Society recently announced its support of more than 14 local historical societies and organizations representing 13 counties from around the Hoosier state. The IHS issued more than $450,000 during its most recent Heritage Support Grants program, an initiative launched in 2015 and made possible by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. The […]

New County Historians Appointed in Five Indiana Counties

Five new Indiana county historians have been appointed, in Pulaski, Delaware, Vigo, La Porte and Shelby counties, with their terms beginning January 2021. New Pulaski County Historian Mary Conner is a docent at the Pulaski County Historical Society, where she has been a member since 1995, and has served on the board and committees. Conner […]

“An Examined Life: The John Mutz Story” from IHS Press Chronicles Life of Former Indiana Lieutenant Governor

“An Examined Life: The John Mutz Story” is the latest release from the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) Press. The book is a collaboration between Mutz, who served as lieutenant governor of Indiana from 1981 to 1989, and historian Edward O. Frantz. Those who know Mutz recognize politics was just one of his areas of expertise […]

Indiana Historical Society Announces Founders Day Honorees

The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) is proud to announce the 2020 Founders Day Award honorees. Each year, the Founders Day Awards recognize outstanding individuals and organizations whose efforts have enriched the lives of others by conveying awareness and appreciation of Indiana’s history on local, regional and statewide levels. The IHS will honor Founders Day Award […]