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          *          INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY   *
          *              COMMUNIQUE ONLINE                            *
          *                  08/17/2007                     *

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Table of Contents:

1. CONFERENCES AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

    Midwest Archaeological Conference Returns to Indiana

2. PROGRAMS

    Treasures From the Past Antiques and Collectibles Appraisal Fair

    Peeler Pottery Party at Putnam County Museum

    Footlights Afloat! Riverboat Program Offered at Steamboat Museum

    Baseball Dinner Features Cincinnati Reds Historian

    _Lincoln and Freedom_ Presentation and Book Signing

    Center for History Presents Program on World War II

    Bootleggers, Booze and Homebrew

    Civil Rights Film Series Continues at Center for History

    Boxley Cabin Area Will be Archaeological Focus on Sept. 15

    History Walk Planned for Marshall County

    Marion County Historical Society Hosts Ralph D. Gray Book Signing and Program

    Elkhart County Historical Society, Museum Offer The Potawatomi Tour

3. ORGANIZATIONS IN THE NEWS

    IMA's Director of Horticulture Endowed by Lilly

    Nuremberg Trials Collection Held at Elkhart County Museum

    George Winter Collection to be Digitized

4. PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

    Elkhart County Historical Museum Names New Director

5. HELP

    Indiana Educators Need Original WWII Items

6. AWARDS

    Call for Nominations for HLFI Preservation Awards

    DHPA Awards Historic Preservation Fund Grants for 2007

7. JOB OPPORTUNITIES

    Visitor Services Manager, DuPage Children's Museum, Naperville, Ill.

    Associate Director of Programs, DuPage Children's Museum, Naperville, Ill.

8. ON THE INTERNET

    DCHS Developing New Webpage

    PCHS Announces New Website

    9. ORPHANS CORNER

_Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana_  
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1. CONFERENCES AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
 

Midwest Archaeological Conference Returns to Indiana

 

For the first time in almost a decade, the Midwest Archaeological Conference (MAC) annual meeting will be held in Indiana. The purpose of the conference is “to promote and stimulate interest in the archaeology of the Midwestern United States and neighboring areas; to serve as a bond among those interested in this and related subjects; to publish and encourage publication; to advocate and aid in the conservation of archaeological data and to encourage an appreciation and support of archaeological research.”

 

This year’s meeting will be held October 4-6, 2007, in South Bend at the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Mark Schurr is the organizer. For more information on specific archaeological sessions and schedule, registration, and accommodations, visit the MAC website at http://www.midwestarchaeology.org/meetings.htm  <http://www.midwestarchaeology.org/meetings.htm>.

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2. PROGRAMS

Please confirm events specifics with sponsoring organization, especially if traveling any distance.

 

Treasures From the Past Antiques and Collectibles Appraisal Fair

 

Missed the chance to take your treasured heirloom to the Antiques Road Show? The Howard Steamboat Museum will give you a second chance as it plays host to an Antique Appraisal Fair August 21, 2007, at 6 p.m. Antique appraisers will be Richard Crum of Crum's Auction and Realty and Doug Harritt of The Harritt Group. Refreshments will be provided.

 

Only verbal appraisals will be given. The cost per appraisal is $8 per item or three items for $20. Please no firearms or fine art. Cash, check Visa/MC accepted. Advanced registration is suggested but not required. Call 812-283-3728 to make a reservation or for more information. All proceeds will benefit the Howard Steamboat Museum and Mansion, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to preserving the history of the Great Steamboat Era and the Howard family legacy.

 

The museum is also offering a limited supply of Jeffersonville Bicentennial Coverlets, featuring local historical landmarks. The 50" x 65" jacquard-woven, full-color tapestry includes images of the 1878 county courthouse, Schimpff's confectionery, the old Jeffersonville and Taylor high schools and Carnegie Library. The coverlet is 100% cotton, machine washable and fringed all around. Cost is $64 plus tax and shipping/handling, when applicable. Cash, check and Visa/MC accepted. To order call 812-283-3728. Proceeds benefit the Howard Steamboat Museum.
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Peeler Pottery Party at Putnam County Museum

 

The Putnam County Museum will host a second Peeler Pottery Party August 24, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Local photographer Amber Bowers will be on hand to capture prize Peeler pieces for the museum's photo collection, and Jackie Miller from Bert & Betty's will provide refreshments.

 

For more information, contact the museum at 812-653-8419.
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Footlights Afloat! Riverboat Program Offered at Steamboat Museum

 

The Howard Steamboat Museum presents the third offering in the "River Ramblings" program series arranged by Steamboat Collections Curator Keith Norrington August 25 at 3 p.m. at the museum. Pat Carr will present "Footlights Afloat," a program relating her experiences of living and working abroad the _Showboat Majestic_, the last traveling showboat on the river. A middle school band director for 32 years, Carr was a student in 1958 at Hiram College, which leased the board from Capt. T.J. Reynolds for several seasons. She played the trumpet in the boat's band and, at age 19, had the foresight to take many pictures and even home movies during the showboat's travels along the Ohio River. She will relate many interesting and humorous stories about life on a floating theatre. A special exhibit on showboats will also be displayed at the museum, featuring photographs, tickets, models and other memorabilia.

 

Suggested donation of $5 will benefit the Howard Steamboat Museum. Seating is limited. For more information, contact the museum at 812-283-3728. The museum is located at 1101 E. Market St., Jeffersonville.

 

Attendees may want to join in the _Belle of Louisville_ cruise August 15, scheduled to depart at noon before the museum program. Tickets are $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and $6 for children ages 3-12. Lunch may be ordered 24 hours in advance for $25. For ticket information and/or lunch reservations for the Belle cruise, call 502-374-BELL.
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Baseball Dinner Features Cincinnati Reds Historian

 

It is the Dog Days of Summer and the Bengals are in training camp. However, there is still two months of baseball left. Come join us at the Ohio County Historical Museum for dinner and a program about the first professional baseball team on August 24, 2007, at 5:30 p.m.

Our presenter, Greg Rhodes, has served as Reds team historian and executive director of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum since its founding in 2004. He is native of Richmond, Ind., and is a lifelong Reds fan. Greg graduated from Indiana University with a doctorate in Education and has taught middle school, high school and college courses.


Since moving to Cincinnati in 1985, he has co-authored six books on the history of the Reds; worked for the Cincinnati Historical Society, where he was involved in the opening of the Museum Center; is a past chairman of the local chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); and is the founding president of the Cincinnati Red Stockings vintage base ball team.


Rhodes' program is about the Cincinnati Base Ball Club, which launched the professional sports revolution in 1869 when it signed ten players to contracts for the season. The experiment proved phenomenally successful on the field (the club's record was 57-0), but a financial disaster off the field. After a second season in 1870, the club went out of business, but the revolution it sparked continues to this day. The program will present an overview of the players and highlights of the two seasons that started professional baseball.


The cost of the dinner/program is $12 for members and $15 for nonmembers. Program only (starts at 7:15 p.m.) is $3 for members and $4 for nonmembers. Payment must be received by August 22.


The Ohio County Historical Museum (212 S. Walnut Street, Rising Sun, Ind.) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located along the Ohio River Scenic By-way. Museum hours are 11 a.m-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, and closed Wednesdays. Admission to the museum only is $2.50 for adults, $2 for senior citizens, $2 for high school students and free for members and children 12 and under. For more information about the event or museum call Bill Dichtl at 812-438-4915.
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_Lincoln and Freedom_ Presentation and Book Signing

 

The Friends of The Lincoln Museum invite you to a very special presentation August 25, 2007, at 7 p.m. The event will celebrate _Lincoln and Freedom: Slavery, Emancipation and the Thirteenth Amendment_, edited by Harold Holzer and Sara Gabbard, with a foreword by Joan Flinspach, President/CEO of The Lincoln Museum. The book is a comprehensive look by the leading scholars in the field at the most controversial issue of the 19th century—and how Abraham Lincoln responded as a politician, president, writer, orator and commander-in-chief to change American society.

 

Holzer, senior vice president for external affairs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Gabbard, vice president, director of development and editor of _Lincoln Lore_ at The Lincoln Museum in Fort Wayne, will discuss the book and answer questions. Books can be purchased at The Lincoln Museum Store or on line at www.TheLincolnMuseum.org <http://www.TheLincolnMuseum.org> as soon as they are available.


Museum members are admitted free of charge. General admission is $4.99; seniors $3.99.
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Center for History Presents Program on World War II

 

"The War: Telling Michiana’s Stories" will take place at the Northern Indiana Center for History at 1:30 p.m. on September 5, 2007, at Insights in History for Seniors in South Bend. The guest speaker, Doug Farmwald, director of content and research at WNIT Public Television, will talk about _The War_, a new documentary by Ken Burns scheduled to air on WNIT and other public television stations in September. Farmwald will show video excerpts of _The War_ as well as _The War: Michiana’s Experience_, a project undertaken by WNIT and the Center for History to gather local oral histories from that era. In addition, he will describe the process of gathering the local stories and show raw footage from some of the interviews.

 

The program will include a short guided tour of museum artifacts related to World War II.

 

Admission is $3 and reservations are requested by September 3, 2007. For information, call 574-235-9664 or visit www.centerforhistory.org <http://www.centerforhistory.org>.
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Bootleggers, Booze and Homebrew

 

Dearborn County Historian Chris McHenry will reveal life on the other side of the law during a program about Prohibition in Dearborn County September 6, 2007, at 7 p.m. at the Vance House. Among the stories she will share is the direct connection between a Greendale distillery and George Remus, one of the country's biggest bootleggers. Plenty of local people took advantage of the thirst for alcohol as well, though in a much smaller capacity. Many of them fell afoul of the law; you may be surprised when you find out who some of them are.

 

The Vance House is located at 508 W. High St. in Lawrenceburg. For more information about the program, contact the Dearborn County Historical Society at 812-537-4075.
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Civil Rights Film Series Continues at Center for History

 

The film _Zoot Suit Riots_ will be shown at 2 p.m. September 9, 2007, at the Northern Indiana Center for History. It is part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Presentation Series being offered in conjunction with the exhibit _Media Coverage of Civil Rights_.

 

An American Experience film, _Zoot Suit Riots_ tells the true story of a young Mexican-American man who was murdered in Los Angeles in 1942 and the resulting firestorm that ignited when tensions boiled over that had been building up for years between Mexican Americans and white Los Angelenos. Through original photography and moving interviews with eyewitnesses, the film chronicles the trial and violent events that followed as the Mexican-American population challenged racial attitudes in Los Angeles.

 

The film is free with the purchase of a museum admission, which is $8 for adults, $6.50 for seniors 60+, $5 for youth 6-17 or in college and free for members. Group discounts are available. Attendees may view _Media Coverage of Civil Rights_ prior to and following the film.

 

Over 40 _South Bend Tribune_ stories and images are on view in _Media Coverage of Civil Rights_. The exhibit, which explores civil rights in South Bend during the 1960s as seen through the eyes of _The Tribune_, is presented in partnership by the Center for History, Civil Rights Heritage Center and _South Bend Tribune_.


For information, call 574-235-9664 or visit www.centerforhistory.org  http://www.centerforhistory.org.
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Boxley Cabin Area Will be Archaeological Focus on Sept. 15

 

Archaeology will be a hands-on experience for the public on Sept. 15, 9 a.m., at Sheridan’s Boxley Cabin when the frontier farm grounds around the 1828 restored log landmark are explored for hot spots and baseline survey evidence. Jeff Plunkett, archaeologist for Accidental Discoveries, will be the first to lead an all-day study using volunteers to perform various scientific duties:  small excavations, screenings and other detection activities to locate artifacts below ground, like privies and root cellars.

 

The free event, important to the work on the cabin that is on the National Register of Historic Places, is sponsored by the Sheridan Historical Society, Town of Sheridan and Sheridan Community Schools. 

Edgar Spear, society president and event co-chair, stressed the educational value of the archaeology initiative.  “It plays an important role in offering students unusual educational experiences,” assessed Spear.  “The work to investigate the site relies on community-wide participation, and teachers have the opportunity to introduce the science of archaeology in advance to help young people learn.  On site, the students will be readied to identify artifacts, including bone fragments that provide clues about fire pits.  They may find Indian arrowheads and learn how discoveries are logged.  We don’t know what to expect, but the land has secrets and a diverse history.”       

 

Applications to participate are available at Sheridan Town Hall, 506 S. Main St.; the Sheridan Historical Society Museum, 308 S. Main St.; Sheridan Community Schools; and the Sheridan Public Library, 103 W. 1st St. Internet requests for applications in PDF format should be e-mailed to sheridanhistorical@sbcglobal.net  (mailto:sheridanhistorical@sbcglobal.net). Students must secure parents’ permission, and submission deadline is Sept. 10.

 

Volunteers will be divided into various field study groups and will rotate assignments following a short lecture and instructions by Plunkett at the Sheridan Veteran’s Park gazebo at 9 a.m. All artifacts found are the property of the Town of Sheridan and become part of Sheridan’s heritage discoveries that can be put on exhibit.

 

The Boxley Cabin, built by fugitive abolitionist George Boxley after escaping jail in Virginia in 1816 following a sabotaged slave rebellion, was the first settlement in Hamilton County’s Adams Township.  Bounty hunters pursued Boxley for 12 years until he made his final home in the Indiana wilderness where he carved out a farm and taught neighbors’ children who gradually joined his family in what became later known as Sheridan.

 

For more information about Sheridan’s Boxley Cabin Public Archaeology Day, contact Ed Spear, 317-758-5867 or Brenda Bush, (317) 758-5845. 
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History Walk Planned for Marshall County

 

A walk through Plymouth's Oakhill Cemetery is planned for September 23, 2007, when costumed local residents and family members will depict Plymouth's early settlers—and Oakhill's current residents. The interpreters will tell the story of nineteenth-century Plymouth settlers and how they shaped life in this northern Indiana county.

 

The event will take place from 4-6 p.m. at the East entrance to Oakhill Cemetery on Oakhill Ave. For more information, call 574-936-2306.
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Marion County Historical Society Hosts Ralph D. Gray Book Signing and Program

 

The Marion County Historical Society is hosting the premiere book-signing event for _A Meredith Nicholson Reader_, compiled and edited by MCHS member and noted Indiana author Ralph D. Gray. The event will take place on September 27, 2007, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Indiana Humanities Council office located at 1500 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis.


The evening will begin with a social hour and hors d’oeuvres. At 5:30 p.m. a brief program will include remarks by the editor and feature a visit from Nicholson’s close friend, James Whitcomb Riley, portrayed by Henry Ryder.


To purchase a copy of the book at the prepublication price of $17.50, contact Jennie Born at jennie@bornaviation.com (mailto:jennie@bornaviation.com) by September 4, 2007. Books will also be available for purchase at the door for $20.00.
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Elkhart County Historical Society, Museum Offer The Potawatomi Tour

 

Follow the path of the Sauk Trail through northern Indiana and southern Michigan to the Wild Winds Buffalo Preserve, a buckskinners camp, Potawatomi Inn at Pokagon State Park and the grave sites of Leopold and Simon Pokagon. The Sauk Trail was made by Native Americans and stretched across northern Indiana, from Illinois to Michigan.

 

Cost per person is $60 and includes an escorted tour, admissions, sightseeing, tips and lunch at Pokagon State Park. Registration and payment deadline is September 15, 2007. For more information call the Elkhart County Museum at 574-848-4322. Sponsored by the Elkhart County Historical Society and the Elkhart County Museum. 
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3. ORGANIZATIONS IN THE NEWS

 

IMA's Director of Horticulture Endowed by Lilly

 

The Indianapolis Museum of Art has received a $2.2 million gift from philanthropist Ruth Lilly to endow the IMA’s director of horticulture, a position held by Mark Zelonis since 1997. Zelonis is responsible for the management, maintenance and development of the IMA’s 152 acres of gardens and grounds, with special emphasis on the 26-acre historic property of Oldfields, the former estate of the Josiah K. Lilly Jr., grandson of Colonel Eli Lilly, founder of Eli Lilly & Company. At the center of Oldfields is the three-story Lilly House, a French-chateau-style mansion restored to the 1930s time period of the Lilly family occupancy. The estate also includes a formal garden, a tree-lined allée with border gardens and a one-acre hillside ravine garden.
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Nuremberg Trials Collection Held at Elkhart County Museum

 

Photographs, letters and artifacts from the Nuremberg Trials are among the items that comprise a valuable collection at the Elkhart County Museum in Bristol. The court proceedings at Nuremberg tried World War II German officials for crimes against humanity for their roles in the Holocaust. Most of the items in the collection belong to local resident Thomas Bayless, whose assignment in the United States Army Signal Corps was to photograph and document the trial of I.G. Farben at Nuremberg. I.G. Farben was the German chemical company which used forced labor from the Auschwitz prisons and manufactured Zyklon B, a chemical used in the gas chambers.

 

Some images from the collection are currently on display. For more information, contact the museum at 574-848-4322.

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George Winter Collection to be Digitized

As one of Indiana’s best known artists, George Winter depicted the Potawatomi and Miami people in their encampments and councils prior to their forced removal from Indiana. Purdue's Archives and Special Collections has partnered with the Tippecanoe County Historical Association (TCHA), owner of the George Winter Collection, to digitize key pieces.

Highlights of the collection include:

  • First-hand written accounts of the United States government’s forced removal of Native Americans from Indiana in the 1830s-1840s
  • Winter’s journals and correspondence
  • Sketches of the Native Americans’ daily lives prior to emigration from the area
  • Portraits of chiefs and members of the Miami and Potawatomi tribes from the Wabash region

Lesson plans are available for the exhibit:

  • Developed by Linda Ivy, Library Media Specialist and former fourth grade teacher
  • Lesson plans meet Indiana State Standards and fourth grade history requirements
  • Three total plans emphasizing different aspects of the collection including research, art and writing

For more information:

This project was supported by the Indiana State Library under the Library Service and Technology Act, administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

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4. PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

 

Elkhart County Historical Museum Names New Director

 

Nick Hoffman was hired in July as the Elkhart County Historical Museum's director. Hoffman previously worked at Old World Wisconsin State Park in Eagle, Wis., and the Experimental Aircraft Association's Air Venture Museum in Oshkosh, Wis. He holds a master's degree in history and a museum studies certificate from the University of Wisconsin.
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5. HELP

 

Indiana Educators Need Original WWII Items

 

The history of World War II is of enormous importance to Indiana’s history students and teachers. In order to provide teachers and students with local World War II resources, the Indiana Historical Society is seeking to create a central list or database of Indiana-based historical societies, libraries and museums that contain original letters, diaries, images and artifacts from Hoosiers during World War II. This includes home-front based Hoosiers as well as military and government workers and personnel.


The list would be made available to educators and students who are seeking these items for research, lesson plan writing, National History Day projects or Indiana Junior Historical Society projects. This effort will also assist local groups as PBS prepares to broadcast _The War_, the miniseries by Ken Burns about World War II.

 

The IHS is requesting that interested parties forward copies of collections guides or descriptions of such collections to:

Matt McMichael
School and Educator Programs
Indiana Historical Society
450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN  46202

or email to mmcmichael@indianahistory.org (mailto:mmcmichael@indianahistory.org).
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6. AWARDS

 

Call for Nominations for HLFI Preservation Awards

 

Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana is soliciting nominations for the Servaas Memorial Awards, honoring organizations which have exemplified achievement in creating or broadening awareness for historic preservation. HLFI presents three Servaas awards to organizations each year.

 

Nonprofit organizations, institutions and public agencies may be nominated for developing and implementing within the past two years an effective program to marshal public support for preservation in a neighborhood, community or area in Indiana.

 

Individuals and corporations may be nominated for a record—established within the past two years or spanning decades—of accomplishment in raising public awareness of historic preservation.

 

Teachers, school-based programs or youth-serving agencies may be nominated for implementing a sustained program that has created or increased preservation awareness among youth in a school or community in Indiana.

 

Self nominations are welcome.

 

Prizes
The winning nonprofit organization, public institution or public agency will receive $2,000. Individual, corporate and youth-serving winners will receive $1,000. All winners will take home an original Servaas Memorial Award sculpture; complimentary admission for two people to HLFI's annual meeting; and publicity through coverage in the HLFI publication _Indiana Preservationist_, on its website and through media releases and public presentations.

 

Guidelines

1.      Complete official entry form or facsimile (available online at www.historiclandmarks.org   <www.historiclandmarks.org>)

2.      Submit a narrative of nor more than 1,000 words containing:

a.      a brief description of the public awareness program;

b.      a synopsis of the goals and objective for the awareness program; and

c.      an evaluation of the program's success in building public support for historic preservation.

3.      Attach documentation to substantiate the success of the nominee's public awareness program. Include no more than ten items of documentation, which may include news clips, electronic or video presentations of news coverage, photographs, slides or brochures. Please limit electronic or video documentation to 30 minutes or less.

4.      Letters of support are welcome as additional evidence of accomplishment. Submit up to five letters of support for the nominee; letters may come from individuals, businesses, civic groups and /or elected or appointed officials.

5.      Mail or deliver nomination, including entry form, narrative, documentation and support letters, to:
Servzaas Memorial Award Committee
Historic Landmarks
Foundation of Indiana, 340 W. Michigan St.
Indianapolis, Ind. 46202-3204.

 

Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 4, 2007.
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DHPA Awards Historic Preservation Fund Grants for 2007

 

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has awarded 23 federal grants for historic preservation to 18 Indiana communities to strengthen Indiana's historical and cultural heritage through preservation projects. The grants, totaling $500,726, provide a match of $459,979 in local and state funds for a total projected investment of $960,705. The federal funds come from the National Park Service, a part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, which distributes federal funds to the states through the Historic Preservation Fund Program. Since 1974, the state has awarded more than $15 million to Indiana communities through this program.

 

The projects for the 2007 funding cycle are:
Benton County: Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana received a $17,353 award for a countywide survey to document historic sites, structures and landscapes throughout Benton County.

 

Crawford and Washington Counties: Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana received $14,290 to publish the results of the countywide historic sites and structures survey of Crawford and Washington Counties conducted in 2006-2007.

 

Fort Wayne: The City of Fort Wayne Community Development received a $9,564 grant to prepare a National Register nomination for the Southwood Historic District and design and print a brochure about the district and its history and architecture.

 

Huntington: The Huntington Historic Preservation Review Board received a $4,000 grant to prepare a National Register of Historic Places nomination for the North Jefferson Street Historic District.

 

Kokomo: The Howard County Historical Society received a $5,000 grant to prepare three National Register of Historic Places nominations in the city of Kokomo: the Courthouse Square Historic District includes approximately 55 contributing resources, the L.E. & W. Railroad Depot Historic District and the Old Silk Stocking Historic District.

 

Pulaski County: Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana received a $18,575 award for a countywide survey to document historic sites, structures and landscapes throughout Pulaski County. Pulaski County is one of the four remaining unsurveyed counties.

 

Steuben County: ARCH, Inc. received $5,354 to publish the results of the countywide historic sites and structures survey of Steuben County conducted in 2006-2007.

 

LaGrange County: ARCH, Inc. received a $26,650 award for a countywide survey to document historic sites, structures and landscapes throughout LaGrange County. LaGrange County is one of the eight remaining unsurveyed counties.

 

Newton County: Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana received a $17,128 award for a countywide survey to document historic sites, structures and  landscapes throughout Newton County. Newton County is one of the eight remaining unsurveyed counties.

 

Posey County: Indiana University received a $10,000 grant to fund a public archaeology program in Southwestern Indiana. Small-scale investigations during Indiana Archaeology Month 2007 will be used as an opportunity for educating children and adults about archaeological methods, Indiana prehistory and the importance of preservation.

 

Archaeological

Clark County: The Archaeological Survey of IPFW received a $44,358 grant to identify and assess undocumented and poorly documented cultural resources in Clark County.

 

Fort Wayne: The Archaeological Survey of IPFW received a $25,000 grant to conduct an intensive archaeological survey of two locations in Fort Wayne to identify the remains of two of the city's eighteenth-century military installations: the original Fort Wayne and Fort St. Philippe des Miamis (Fort Miamis).

 

Hamilton County: The Archaeological Survey of IPFW received a $10,000 grant a two-week educational archaeology program at the Strawtown Koteewi Park near Noblesville in Hamilton County. The project will also result in a National Register nomination for a site near the Strawtown enclosure.

 

Hamilton County: Ball State University's Department of Anthropology received a $15,446 grant for a systematic archaeological survey of approximately 400 acres of eastern Hamilton County, which is one of the fastest growing parts of the state.

 

Harrison County: University of Kentucky was awarded $47,455 to conduct survey and investigation activities at two archaeological sites in Harrison County.

 

Acquisition and Development
Bloomington: Middle Way House received a $50,000 grant to rehabilitate the 1924 Coca-Cola Bottling Plant. Middle Way House, Inc. is a domestic violence program serving six counties in south central Indiana and will provide shelter and support services for the organization's programs for women and children affected by domestic violence.

 

Cannelton: Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana received a $25,000 grant to rehabilitate the windows and masonry of the 1845 Heim-Haury House, built of locally quarried sandstone.

 

Tipton: The Tipton County Commissioners received a $25,000 grant for the rehabilitation of the 1894 Tipton County Courthouse.

 

Evansville: The City of Evansville Board of Public Works received a $28,699 grant to rehabilitate the Holding House in Oak Hill Cemetery. The 1911 structure was used to house caskets when the ground was frozen and graves could not be dug. The building will be used for interpretive space for cemetery walking tours.

 

Indianapolis: Irvington Historic Landmarks Foundation received a $22,500 grant for the rehabilitation of the 1873 Benton House.

 

Whiting: The City of Whiting Parks & Recreation Department received a $50,000 grant to rehabilitate the roof of the 1923 Whiting Community Center.

 

Plymouth: The Wythougan Valley Preservation Council received a $8,640 grant to rehabilitate the former Jacoby Church, built in 1860 and dedicated in 1861 by a German Reformed congregation. The church was used fairly continuously through 1964, but has been vacant and deteriorating since that time. It is owned by the township and the sponsor has entered into a lease with the township in order to restore the former church for use by the community for meetings and social events.

 

Marion: The Marion Public Library received a $28,496 grant to rehabilitate the porches and masonry of the 1888 Abijah C. Jay House, which is being rehabilitated for use as a Center for Community History and Cultural Studies.

 

For more specific information about these projects, view the DHPA newsletter _Preserving Indiana_ by visiting http://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/dhpanwsltr.html <http://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/dhpanwsltr.html > and clicking on "Fall/Winter."
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7. JOB OPPORTUNITIES

 

Visitor Services Manager, DuPage Children's Museum, Naperville, Ill.

 

Job Summary:

The visitor services manager is responsible for coordinating the visitor services team and supervising the birthday parties and museum rentals. The VSM is also responsible for supervising museum floor operations during shifts when the museum floor manager is not present. 

 

Essential Responsibilities:

  1. Proactively enhances the visitor experience through excellent customer service. Responsible for enhancing the visitor experience and visitor safety.
  2. Encourages communication and enhances team support/spirit among the DCM staff.
  3. Recruits, interviews/hires, trains, schedules and supervises the visitor services staff members (including birthday party facilitators and cashiers) and volunteers as directed.
  4. Coordinates rental and birthday party programs including selling and implementation.
  5. Serves as back up to visitor services cashiers, museum floor manager and/or play facilitators. Will be required to staff some shifts as a visitor services cashier or play facilitator.
  6. Provides excellent member and visitor relations. Acts as the first point of contact for visitors and members when they require customer service assistance that visitor services and floor staff cannot provide.
  7. Provides museum tours to potential birthday party clients and rental clients. Provides information about facility amenities to visitors or potential visitors.
  8. Assists visitors in emergency situations.
  9. Co-manages with the director of finance and administration the VISTA software including upgrades, special promotions and staff training. 
  10. Assists in designing and ensures visitor services staff perform required marketing activities such as wearing buttons, explaining promotions, assisting with mailings and maintaining appropriate signage.  Assists the marketing department with developing new marketing opportunities. 
  11. Ensures that accurate record keeping is done which will assist is collection of visitor statistics.
  12. Prepares and ensures availability of “today’s events” and other museum program/activity schedules for staff and visitors.

Secondary Responsibilities:

  1. Monitors and maintains access to the facility.
  2. Other duties as assigned

 

Job Relationships:

Supervised by director of guest services

Supervises designated shifts and visitor services cashiers, specialist and birthday party coordinator

Supervises play facilitator(s) assigned to rentals

 

Education and Experience:

  • Two years related experience and a 4-year degree in related field such as recreation, business or marketing preferred.
  • Experience and enjoyment in working with the public; cheerful and welcoming friendly manner.

Skills and Abilities:

·   Must have basic computer knowledge and skills with proficiency in word processing and spreadsheets. Experience with Vista computer software or database software a plus.

·   Commitment to excellent customer service.

·   Must be knowledgeable in developing a team atmosphere.

·   Accuracy, good math skills, superior attention to details.

·   Supervisory experience and/or marketing skills preferred.

·   Must exhibit problem solving, critical thinking and troubleshooting skills.  Must adhere to appropriate dress code.

·   Must be willing to commit to evening and weekend hours. 

The following abilities are required for the position:  (a) Use a keyboard, mouse and touch screen monitor to enter, retrieve or transfer words or data; (b) Communicate appropriately, clearly and verbally with museum visitors, telephone callers and co-workers.  Comprehend and speak English with the general public and co-workers; (c) Hear children’s voices; (d) Move easily between admissions stations; (e) Manual dexterity necessary to handle bills and coins; (f) Assist visitors in emergency situations; (g) Perform basic mathematical calculations; (h) Stand for extended periods of time; (i) Climb up and down stairs or use an elevator daily; (j) Lift items weighing up to 20 pounds occasionally; (k) Tolerate dust and fumes from general cleaning and maintenance procedures.

 

Other:

·      Attend the following sessions:  Part I Discover DCM, Part II Focus on the Visitor,  and Emergency Training within the first six months of employment at DCM. 

·      Attend special topic trainings.

·      Must have driver’s license, own transportation and appropriate liability insurance. 

 

If interested, please email a cover letter and resume to jobs@dupagechildrensmuseum.org  (mailto:jobs@dupagechildrensmuseum.org), or fax to 630-637-1276.

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Associate Director of Programs, DuPage Children's Museum, Naperville, Ill.

 

Job Summary:

The associate director for programs supervises both public and school programming including strategic planning; development of budgets; program statistics and reporting; coordination of programming with other DCM departments and with outside community partners; overall development and scheduling of programming for the quarterly calendar. Represents the programming mission of the Museum within DCM and to outside agencies and institutions.

 

Essential Responsibilities:

  1. Oversees the development, presentation and marketing of a full schedule of fee-based classes, activities, Learning Labs, field trips, events, presentations and performances each quarter.
  2. Develops and coordinates a yearly program plan and participates in planning for programming initiatives and enterprises at DCM. 
  3. Coordinates with the marketing manager to develop and implement a marketing plan for DCM programs and programming enterprises.
  4. Develops, prepares and monitors the programming budget.
  5. Assists in writing grants, prepares grant budgets, monitors programming aspects of grant budgets and may assist with grants reporting. 
  6. Ensures the continuing high quality of early learning experiences at DCM by coordinating with the specialists and contract content/development staff to conduct periodic evaluations of programs. 
  7. Participates in the training of staff and volunteers as required.
  8. Coordinates activities of program volunteers and interns in the exhibits and programs department.
  9. Oversees and coordinates contacts with area agencies and other institutions to establish and nurture collaborations that foster DCM’s programming mission.

 

Job Relationships:

  • Supervised by the director of exhibits and programs.
  • Supervises school program manager, public program coordinator, community access network coordinator, early childhood specialist and interdisciplinary arts specialist.
  • Coordinates closely with specialists in development and monitoring of programming and related enterprises.
  • Coordinates with associate director of exhibits and design on long-range departmental planning.
  • Must work collaboratively from within the exhibits and programs department to coordinate programming with other DCM staff and volunteers.

Education and Experience:

  • Master’s degree in museum management, arts administration, business administration, or related field required. 
  • Minimum of five years of demonstrated skill in program administration, preferably with young children and adults in a museum setting. 
  • Coursework or degree in early childhood or other DCM-related specialty (science, art, mathematics) a plus.
  • Experience with teacher training is a plus.

 

Skills and Abilities:

·                        Must work well in a collaborative environment.

·                        Good writing, budgeting and communication skills essential.

·                        Basic computer skills necessary.

·                        Knowledge of evaluation techniques is desirable.

Other:

Must have driver’s license, own transportation and appropriate liability insurance

 

If interested, please email a cover letter and resume to jobs@dupagechildrensmuseum.org  (mailto:jobs@dupagechildrensmuseum.org), or fax to 630-637-1276.

 

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8. ON THE INTERNET

 

DCHS Developing New Webpage

 

The Dearborn County Historical Society is developing a new website at www.rootsweb.com/~indbchs  <http://www.rootsweb.com~indbchs>.

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PCHS Announces New Website

 

The Parke County Historical Society has a new website, located at www.parkecountyhistoricalsociety.org  <http://www.parkecountyhistoricalsociety.org>.
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9. ORPHANS CORNER

 

An individual would like to donate an original _Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana_ (Chicago: Baskin, Forster & Co., 1876) to a small historical society or county museum in Indiana.
The volume is in good condition with original binding and containing biographical sketches and lovely Victorian-era lithographs.

 

Interested parties should contact Katherine Dill at kdill@indianahistory.org (mailto:kdill@indianahistory.org)  or 317-233-8913.

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If your historical organization, genealogical society or museum has changed its address or phone number in the past six months, please send  the updated information to Katherine Dill, Coordinator, Local History  Services, at kdill@indianahistory.org (mailto:kdill@indianahistory.org) or 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis, IN  46202.
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COMMUNIQUE ONLINE is provided for the benefit of local historical societies and museums throughout Indiana.  It is e-mailed to a subscriber  list maintained by Katherine Dill, Coordinator, Local History Services  Office, Indiana Historical Society. Anyone may subscribe.  This is a free  publication.  To be added or removed from the mailing list, simply e-mail kdill@indianahistory.org (mailto:kdill@indianahistory.org) or call  toll free 1-800-IHS-1830. News releases from local societies are welcomed and may be faxed to  317-234-0427, E-mailed to the above address, or s-mailed to Local History Services, Indiana Historical Society, 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis, IN 46202.

 

Please visit the IHS Local History Services web site at www.indianahistory.org/lhs  <http://www.indianahistory.org/lhs>.

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