As delegates to the Republican national convention gathered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in June 1892, their choice of a presidential candidate seemed easy — incumbent Benjamin Harrison. There were, however, GOP members who still desired to have James G. Blaine, Harrison’s secretary of state, lead the party to victory in November. Other possible contenders for the […]
In the latest release from the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) Press, “Looking Forward, Giving Back: The Jewish Merchants of Downtown Indianapolis,” author Kenneth L. Turchi traces the 150-year history of the Jewish merchants, offering a glimpse of a more genteel time when shopping downtown was a special experience. Jewish business owners came to America from […]
Two new Indiana county historians have been appointed in Marshall and Martin counties, with their terms beginning January 2022. New Marshall County Historian Kurt West Garner was born in Bremen to a family who traces its roots to pre-county organization, and is a lifelong resident of Marshall County. In 2008, Garner established a historic preservation-focused […]
The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) is looking for volunteers to serve as virtual judges for the 2022 National History Day in Indiana (NHDI) contests. NHDI is a yearlong program dedicated to enhancing history education in Indiana’s schools. Students in grades four through 12 explore a historical subject that fits under the annual theme. This year’s […]
The Indiana Historical Society (IHS)’s newest exhibit, Jewish Merchants of Downtown Indianapolis, opens tomorrow, January 15, at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, located at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis. The exhibit expands on the history of Jewish merchants — Hiram Passmore Wasson, William Herman Block, Leopold Strauss and others — […]
In honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s efforts for his community, the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) has set aside a day to help Hoosiers learn more about his efforts and his legacy, and engage in acts of service. A daylong celebration with free special programs takes place on Monday, January 17 from 10 […]
It seems an appropriate time to revisit a past blog theme, ‘My Favorite Things,’ featuring a slightly subjective look at one of the Indiana Historical Society’s collection acquisitions holding some significance from a curatorial perspective. There are numerous prospective examples from which I could cull interesting stories, but a visual gift from several years past […]
In the latest release from the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) Press, “Building Community: The Flanner and Buchanan Families of Indianapolis,” author Julie Young shows how the name Buchanan is not only synonymous with Indianapolis but is recognized and respected among funeral directors throughout the United States. Celebrating its 140th anniversary, Flanner Buchanan’s longevity as a […]
Our collection in the William H. Smith Memorial Library contains its fair share of guestbooks and scrapbooks, but I think I have stumbled upon the only holiday-specific hybrid guestbook/scrapbook in the archive! From 1921-1950 the Lieber family of Indianapolis kept a Thanksgiving book that recorded their yearly family dinner. The Lieber family used Thanksgiving as […]
Are you ready for the Indiana Historical Society’s (IHS) favorite book event of the year? The annual Holiday Author Fair is just the place to find the perfect read for you! This year, Author Fair attendees can mix and mingle with more than 60 authors of books about everything from sports and biographies to fiction, […]
