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New County Historians Appointed in Four Indiana Counties
INDIANAPOLIS (March 31, 2021) — Four new Indiana county historians have been appointed in Clinton, Lake, Posey and Warrick counties, with their terms beginning March 2021.
In 1981, through an effort to improve the historical communication network in the state, the Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Historical Bureau established the Indiana County Historian Program.
County historians serve as volunteers appointed by the Indiana Historical Society and Indiana Historical Bureau to promote local history in their counties, connect individuals and groups with history resources, promote collaboration between local history organizations and maintain connections with the Indiana Historical Society and Indiana Historical Bureau.
Clinton County Historian Dennis Hoffman holds a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Ball State University and a master’s degree in library and information science from Indiana University. He worked as a school librarian for 25 years and has more than 40 years of experience with genealogical research and providing programs for local organizations. He is currently helping to digitize the James Ostler Slide Collection at the Frankfort Community Public Library.
Lake County Historian Scott Bocock holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies with minors in history and anthropology from Indiana University Northwest. For more than 25 years, he has been the historian and curator at the Cedar Lake Historical Association, and he formerly served as the Cedar Lake Town historian. Scott nominated the Monon Park Dancing Pavilion to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and in 2001, he received an award from the Town of Cedar Lake for his service to the Cedar Lake Historical Association and the community. Scott will serve in the position formerly held by longtime Lake County Historian Bruce Woods, who passed away in January.
Posey County Historian Ray Kessler has written several books on local history and currently serves as a director of the Posey County Historical Society. He volunteers at the historical society’s collection room to do research and answer historical questions, handle the photo files, and posts historical topics of interest to the Facebook page. He is currently working on a project for a historical marker for the Booker T. Washington school property.
Warrick County Historian Anne Rust Aurand holds a master’s degree in library science from Indiana State University, and worked as a teacher and school librarian for the Warrick County School Corporation for more than 47 years. Anne currently serves on the Newburgh Town Council and on the board of directors for Historic Newburgh, Inc. She owns four historic homes in the area, all of which were constructed between 1856 and 1880.
The Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Historical Bureau thank all Indiana county historians for their service and dedication to local history.
