Sunday, September 15, 2024, will be the 100th anniversary of the Fiestas Patrias parade in Indiana Harbor (East Chicago). One hundred years ago, this Mexican American community, coupled with the smaller community in Gary, gathered to celebrate Mexico’s Independence from Spain (1821). However, this inaugural Indiana parade had a deeper meaning. The early Mexican American […]
Director of Collections Management Maire Gurevitz (aka my supervisor) and I have spent most of 2024 processing the records of the Junior League of Indianapolis, or JLI. The JLI is a women’s service organization that uses the power of voluntarism to affect positive change in our community. The Junior League has its roots in the […]
The Women’s Department Club was started in Indianapolis in 1912 by Mrs. Luella McWhirter. While still presently active, this club and its members focus their efforts on community service, arts, and education related causes and projects. This club was and still is presently known to host a public lecture series. On October 10, 1945, the […]
The Viva Kennedy campaign was mostly known to exist in the American southwest, originating in Arizona. It is reported that a low-level Mexican-Irish campaign worker, a Latino member of his senatorial staff, or a well-known progressive Los Angeles politician came up with the idea for the Viva Kennedy campaign, as to which is unclear. What […]
This month we explore a family name with a common issue…multiple or changing spellings. My colleague, Lauren, is one of the first members of her direct line to leave the family stronghold in Pennsylvania. When she got here and started working with Indiana-related materials, she saw a name similar to another found in her family […]
July’s best-known celebration day is likely Independence Day, which commemorates the founding of the United States of America. But even before the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776, the Post Office of the United States (a precursor to the U.S. Postal Service) was established in 1775 with Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General. […]
On Friday, July 19 at 7:30 p.m., the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) is hosting the popular national podcast Stuff You Missed in History Class for a live episode recording at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, located at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis. Hosted by Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Frey, […]
One of my favorite fine art forms is watercolor. I can’t say why as I am not generally an art connoisseur, the paintings just speak to me more than some of the other mediums. July brings us World Watercolor Month, a celebration as noted in the National Day Calendar, was founded by Charlie O’Shields (Doodlewash […]
On Thursday, July 4, the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) is celebrating Independence Day with a day of free admission, fun and activities for all ages! IHS invites guests to the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, located at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for free admission […]
Another month, another cause to celebrate! In keeping with our National Day Calendar-inspired series of monthly observances, I am pleased to write that this month is National Dairy Month. June bears many important advocacy titles (Pride Month, Men’s Health Month, etc.), but one of the lighter associations is dedicated to the staple American food group. […]
