Local History Services

Jeannette Rooney, left, Jeff Harris and Stacy Klingler travel the state to support local history organizations.

The Local History Services department is staffed by people who have worked in small organizations and understand the challenges and opportunities local historical organizations face. We assist local historical societies, museums, libraries, archives, genealogy groups and preservation groups to promote Indiana’s history statewide.

We are here to help you make your local history organization better and look forward to receiving your questions by phone or e-mail.  You can also find us on Facebook at   www.facebook.com/IndianaLHS.

Our Staff

Jeff Harris, director, has been executive director of a number of small historical museums in Indiana including the Lake of the Red Cedars Museum, Delaware County Historical Society, Nettle Creek Valley Museum and Scott County Heritage Center and Museum. He is a past president of the Association of Indiana Museums and has been a speaker for many historical, genealogical and museum groups. (317) 232-4591

Stacy Klingler, assistant director, has been the director of the Putnam County Museum and assistant director of the General Lew Wallace Study & Museum and Montgomery County Historical Society. She is the chair of the Small Museums Committee of the American Association for State and Local History and past treasurer of the Association of Indiana Museums. (317) 233-3110

Jeannette Rooney, coordinator, holds a master’s degree in art history from Indiana University, with a focus on 19th-century American art and architecture. She has conducted research for a Civil War exhibition during an internship with the Department of Exhibits at the National Archives and has traveled throughout the state for the Indiana Historic Bridge project. She is a board member of the Association of Indiana Museums. (317) 233-8913

Are you trying to find an answer to a specific local history question? Contact a local history resource or IHS Library and Archives.