Archive for the ‘Museum Events’ Category
Christmas – Museum Closed
Posted by Chris Harris in Museum Events
| December 25, 2011 |
Happy Holidays from all of us at the Jay County Historical Society!
Christmas at the Museum
Posted by Chris Harris in Museum Events
| November 27, 2011 | ||
| 1:00 pm | to | 4:00 pm |
| December 4, 2011 | ||
| 1:00 pm | to | 4:00 pm |
| December 11, 2011 | ||
| 1:00 pm | to | 4:00 pm |
| December 18, 2011 | ||
| 1:00 pm | to | 4:00 pm |
Our annual Christmas at the Museum celebration will begin with an Open House on Sunday, November 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. Besides the regular Monday through Friday hours, during the holiday season the museum will also be open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 4, 11, and 18.
Each of the schools of Jay County have once again been asked to decorate a tree at the museum. Those visiting the museum may vote for their favorite school tree by bringing items for the Helping Hands Food Pantry to place under that tree. The school with the most items under their tree by Wednesday, December 20, will be awarded a set of Jay County history books for their library.
Because of the economic conditions in the county, we know it is difficult to keep the Food Pantry shelves stocked with needed items and feel this is an excellent way for us to help the less fortunate. You may bring non-perishable food items, paper products, and cleaning or personal hygiene items. Please be aware that out-dated items cannot be distributed by the Food Pantry.
In the past, many of the schools have held food drives at their own building and then have brought those items to the museum. To avoid handling the items extra times and to encourage family visits to the museum, we are asking that the schools do not bring their collections to the museum, but take them directly to the food pantry and give us the count. Items brought to the museum by families will count as two votes. By involving students in decorating the trees, we also hope many of them and their families visit the museum and discover something about Jay County’s history while here.
We encourage those of you who live in the area to bring your family and friends to the museum during the Christmas season. The trees are always uniquely decorated, and the museum is also filled with many other vintage decorations.
Posted by Chris Harris in Museum Open House, Other Events
Visit our beautiful Christmas tree display beginning Nov. 27!
Our annual Christmas at the Museum celebration will begin with an Open House on Sunday, November 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. Besides the regular Monday through Friday hours, during the holiday season the museum will also be open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 4, 11, and 18.
Each of the schools of Jay County have once again been asked to decorate a tree at the museum. Those visiting the museum may vote for their favorite school tree by bringing items for the Helping Hands Food Pantry to place under that tree. The school with the most items under their tree by Wednesday, December 20, will be awarded a set of Jay County history books for their library.
Because of the economic conditions in the county, we know it is difficult to keep the Food Pantry shelves stocked with needed items and feel this is an excellent way for us to help the less fortunate. You may bring non-perishable food items, paper products, and cleaning or personal hygiene items. Please be aware that out-dated items cannot be distributed by the Food Pantry.
In the past, many of the schools have held food drives at their own building and then have brought those items to the museum. To avoid handling the items extra times and to encourage family visits to the museum, we are asking that the schools do not bring their collections to the museum, but take them directly to the food pantry and give us the count. Items brought to the museum by families will count as two votes. By involving students in decorating the trees, we also hope many of them and their families visit the museum and discover something about Jay County’s history while here.
We encourage those of you who live in the area to bring your family and friends to the museum during the Christmas season. The trees are always uniquely decorated, and the museum is also filled with many other vintage decorations.
October meeting features archeological dig results
Posted by Chris Harris in Monthly Program Meetings
What might you expect to find buried here by those who came before you? Come to our next Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, October 25 at 7:00 p.m. to hear Christine Keller tell about the findings of this past summer’s archeological dig at the site of the original Fort Recovery.
Chris, a Ball State University archeologist and Fort Recovery native, was part of a group of anthropology and history students who discovered the original site of the fort and several artifacts. The field study was funded, in part, by a Battlefield Protection Grant from the U.S. Park Service.
Bring your friends and family to hear a first-hand account of what was discovered at nearby Fort Recovery.
Annual Dinner is November 1
Posted by Chris Harris in Other Events
Program features photographer John Bower
The Annual Dinner Meeting of the Jay County Historical Society will be held at the Asbury United Methodist Church on Tuesday, November 1. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with the dinner served at 6:30. The cost is $10. Payment must accompany reservations and may be dropped off or mailed to the museum by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26. As a courtesy to those preparing the meal, no reservations will be accepted after that time.
The meal will again be served by the Joy Circle of the church. The menu will be a roasted pork chop, sweet potato casserole, green beans, cranberry salad, rolls, and pumpkin sheet cake.
The program will be presented by photographer John Bower from Bloomington, Indiana, who spoke at our annual meeting in 2008.
John, the photographer, and his wife Lynn, the artist and note taker, explore back roads and out-of-the-way places in Indiana to discover fascinating aspects of our state’s unique heritage. Their goal is to preserve on film and in books, the richness, significance, and value that surrounds us–yet often goes unnoticed–so it can be experienced and appreciated by others.
Through their company, Studio Indiana, they have produced several books documenting this heritage, including scenes from Jay County.
The title of Mr. Bower’s presentation will be “The Common Good–An Indiana Heritage Built with Taxes, Tithes, and Tuition.” It covers Indiana’s forgotten or abandoned schools, churches, and public buildings. A photo of Jay County’s partially standing Oak Grove School graces the cover of this book.
The Bowers will also have a book sale and signing during the evening. Those in attendance three years ago enjoyed the Bowers presentation. This one is certain to be just as entertaining.
The business portion of the evening will include an election of five board members to serve for the next three years. Those agreeing to serve another term are Jeff Bowen, Kay Locker, and Jane Spencer. Larry Bubp and Chuck Wangler have asked to be relieved of their positions on the board. Two new persons have agreed to serve on the JCHS board.
Sylvia Morrical did not grow up in Jay County, but this has been her home for over 40 years. She was a charter member of the Jay County Genealogy Society and continues to volunteer frequently in the genealogy library at the museum. She and her husband, Eldon, have two daughters and six grandchildren.
Rob Weaver, owner and manager of radio station WPGW, wakes many of us with the first edition of the local news each weekday morning. Rob is the former director of the John Jay Center and was very instrumental in the renovation of the Weiler Building into the home of John Jay. He is a member of the Jay County Fair Board and active in many other community organizations. He and his wife, Mindy, are the parents of two children.
Jay County Heritage Festival
Posted by Chris Harris in Heritage Festivals - Past, Other Events
The 9th Annual Jay County Heritage Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 1 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 2 at the Jay County Historical Museum grounds. The theme of this year’s event is From Farm to Factory–The History of Manufacturing in Jay County. As usual, admission to the festival is free!
On the menu are the customary ham and beans and corn bread on Saturday and chili on Sunday, both cooked over the open fire. In Jay County tradition, foot long hotdogs will also be available. These were the idea of Mrs. Nellie Smith of Redkey, who first served them at the Indiana State Fair. Also on the menu are porkburgers, carmel corn, strawberry shortcake, an ice cream Sundae bar, cotton candy, apple fritters, and other goodies.
The children’s area will include the usual pumpkin painting, leather crafts, tin punching, hoop rolling, and walking on stilts, along with other activities–all free of charge. A second stage will be added here for programs of special interest to the children.
Returning after a year’s absence, the popular Voyagers Drum and Fife Corps from Lafayette will be appearing on Sunday. Also returning from last year are Les Gustafson-Zook, a multi-instrumentalist, the Jay Community Band, and Joan Witherspoon’s Harmony String Band.
Appearing for the first time will be storyteller, Carol Knarr, the Robotics Team from Jay County High School, and the Asbury Bells, a handbell choir from the Asbury United Methodist Church in Portland.
Along with the usual reenactors, demonstrators, and crafters who will be returning from last year, will be a stone grist mill and an exhibit from the Indiana Bee Keepers Association. The lawn at the Gilpin Annex will again be filled with antique tractors and farm machinery.
Displays of industries, past and present, will be located inside and outside of the museum, along with a Power Point presentation in the museum. Nurses will again be in the medical room to answer questions, and classes will be conducted in the schoolroom.
Next to the booth staffed by the Historical Society will be an area where guests may greet various Jay County authors and have books autographed.
A Meet and Greet area will be available on Sunday afternoon for festival goers to talk with Jack Imel, Portland native and retired star of the Lawrence Welk Show and his wife, the former Norma Denney.
As in past years, Jane Spencer is preparing a book about early manufacturing in Jay County which will be available for purchase at the festival.
Naas Canning Factory and Gillum Memorabilia
Posted by Chris Harris in Museum Open House
The Jay County Historical Museum will be open for visitors on Sundays August 7 and 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. As always, admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
A new display this month features items from the Naas Canning Factory and other local industries.
Coming in early August and staying through September will be a display prepared by Dr. Eugene Gillum, featuring family history and items from his professions and hobbies. Dr. Gillum’s display will outline his medical accomplishments, his military career, samples of his rock collecting and polishing, and his interest in aviation, including the first airplane he bought as a child.
Watch for future announcements about these displays.
