A new display in the library cases at the museum highlights the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. Among items included in the display are uniforms, badges, awards, pennants, derby cars, pictures and many other items.

Thanks to Barry and Elizabeth Hudson and family for preparing this attractive display. Their son, Aaron, recently became an Eagle Scout.

The museum will be open on Sunday, July 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. for visitors to view displays. The museum is also open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The Jay County Historical Society’s open houses for 2010 are in full swing. Thanks to a recent grant from the The Portland Foundation and donations from members and friends, the society was able to purchase 11 lighted showcases. Volunteers have filled the showcases with interesting displays, and various rooms at the museum are sporting new looks since last season thanks to many volunteer hours. Among the new displays at the museum are Indiana glass items, bonnets, a common school display, items from the Bimel family, and an exhibit featuring Redkey’s John Shambarger. Also scattered throughout the museum are beautiful period wedding gowns worn by Jay County residents. June open houses are Saturday, June 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, June 20, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Monthly program meetings have also commenced again. The subject for the June 22 meeting at 7 p.m. will be a presentation by Jay County Historian Jane Spencer on the postcard collection of George and Alta Cull, which was loaned to the society by their daughter, Mrs. Bill Davis.

We welcome everyone, members and non-members alike, to attend both our open houses and our monthly program meetings. The museum is also open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come see all the changes we’ve made!

Janice Stucky, our intrepid librarian and resident author was surprised one day last fall when a camera crew from PBS station WIPB at Ball State University showed up at the museum to do an interview about the Jay County Historical Society.  Janice had to think fast and pull together a presentation while the cameras were rolling and the result is an interesting and informative video which you can see by clicking on the link below.  You will have to follow instructions and load “Silverlight” and it may not work with slower connection speeds.  The spot has aired on WIPB and we are told that they will run it again in the future. We will let you know the time and date as soon as it is published.

http://www.bsu.edu/wipb/community/Natparks_Webisodes.asp

Here is a recap of some of the things which are going on at the end of East Main Street:  Some of you will have had a chance to get the latest newsletter, The Jay County Journal by email on the day it was printed and “snail mailed” to all. We currently have an email list of about 30 pioneers and it is growing daily. Our hope is to gradually cut down on the number (now about 900) newsletters we must print and mail each month. This is a substantial expense in paper, printing, postage, and volunteer time to staple, fold, label, tape, and mail.

Although the first time around had a few glitches, all we heard from were pleased with the results. The pictures in the email version are much better and the print can be as large or as small as you want by changing your computer settings. We are working on using full color pictures in the email version, another incentive for you to send us your email address and agree to receive the Journal online.  Of course you need to be a current member to enjoy this service.

Another way we are working to move into 21st century technology will be our meeting on Saturday, May 8th with Connie Rendfield who manages the Indiana Memories project for the Indiana State Library.  Ms. Rendfield will talk with us about adding our digital collection to their website. If you’d like to check out the Indiana Memories  project go to: http://www.in.gov/memories/.  If you are interested in helping us scan pictures into our digital files please contact us at: research@jaycountyhistory.org.  Join us on Saturday, May 8, at 11 a.m.