During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Indiana played a vital role in national politics, with Hoosiers often represented on national party tickets. Legend has it that the first words from an Indiana child were, taking off on William Tecumseh Sherman?s declaration, If nominated I will run and if elected I will serve.? IHS […]
On April 12, 1861, the first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter in South Carolina a war that nearly divided this country forever. Battle names, places and dates are often what we think of: the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861; Antietem in September 1862; Gettysburg in July 1863. […]
Indianapolis—Three Indianapolis bookstores are teaming up to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day with literary parties. On Saturday, April 29, guests of the Indiana Historical Society’s (IHS’s) Basile History Market, Bookmamas and Kids Ink Children’s Bookstore will be treated to free activities, book signings, discounts and prizes. In addition, those who visit multiple stores will be entered […]
Indiana has produced many talented authors throughout the years. Famous examples include George Ade, Theodore Dreiser, Meredith Nicholson, Gene Stratton-Porter, Booth Tarkington, Kurt Vonnegut and Lew Wallace. No list is complete, however, unless it includes James Whitcomb Riley, also known as the “Hoosier Poet” and the “Children’s Poet.” Riley was famous for using dialect verse, […]
“I’M LOOKING FOR THE ORIGINAL RECIPE FOR SUGAR CREAM PIE.” More than once, excited patrons have written to our library in search of this holy grail of Indiana recipes. After all, the chocolate chip cookie has a verified origin story. Why not our official state pie? However, like the Devil’s Lake Monster or the Beast […]
Indianapolis—The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) is expanding its free annual Preservation Week Road Show to include digital scans, in addition to one-on-one consultations with appraisers and conservators. This year’s event is Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center in downtown Indianapolis. Now in its […]
Indianapolis—Families can step right up for free admission when the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) continues its circus tradition. On Saturday, March 25, IHS will host its 16th annual Circus Day celebration, featuring family-friendly carnival activities, live performances and the Indiana Experience. Circus Day runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Eugene and Marilyn […]
Can you keep a secret? Or, are you like Lizzie, one of the characters in my new book, Giant Steps? I am going to share some secrets with you, and I don?t care if you pass them along. My book is classified as historical fiction, but I like to think of it as a truth […]
Life is always interesting in the Digitization Department! We discover so many historic treasures that remain relevant today and we get to share them with you via our Digital Collections. This time the treasure is a letter written by Captain David Enoch Beem of 14th Indiana Volunteer Regiment during the Civil War. I had already […]
It’s stories like the Italian POWs at Atterbury, our newest You Are There, that make me appreciate my family’s roots in Indiana. Because both sides of my family lived in the general area of Atterbury, I grew up with stories about the camp. My mom’s mother moved here at 19 after she married my grandfather […]
