In my seven years of work in the Local History Services
department of IHS, first as assistant director and then as director, I have
been given the opportunity to learn from the staff and partners of IHS as
well as the over 900 local history organizations LHS serves. I have never been
at a loss for something new to read or for someone to talk to about a challenge
in the field. I appreciate how the
Indiana Historical Society has for over 35 years considered support of local
history groups an integral way to support the mission of preserving and sharing
Indiana history. When Indiana’s local
history groups are stronger, so is all of Indiana history.
I want to thank the entire Hoosier local history community
for the openness and spirit of willingness to learn that I have found in every
one of Indiana’s 92 counties. As I’ve
met so many of you in workshops, while delivering traveling exhibits and at
meetings of all kinds, I have enjoyed hearing your stories and discovering what
has worked (and not worked) for you. I
have been amazed at your creativity in solving problems (cotton tube socks make
excellent padding for chairs that must be stored on top of other furnishings)
and sheer perseverance in preserving local history that you all demonstrate
year after year. And while I hope to find
the same welcome in my new position in Illinois, I thank you for making me a
part of your community.
The LHS department is strong, and you will continue to have
excellent support from Alan, Jeannette, Marianne, Kelsey and Tamara. Tamara will be stepping into the LHS director
position upon my departure (Dec. 19). The whole staff is ready to implement new
projects and ideas that we’ve been dreaming of in our long trips in the IHS
van, and you can expect many great things to come.
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Stacy Klingler is assistant director of Local History Services at IHS. Along with the other LHS team members, she travels the state assisting local history organizations. She loves her job because itÕs never the same thing twice, unless she has to make a U-turn at Main Street.