Hendricks County Historical Museum

2012 News

Thank you, Duke Energy!

Recently, Duke Enery of Hendricks County awarded the museum a $3000 grant. The museum board is grateful for their support. It is through generous support from businesses and individuals we can continue to perserve our heritage and educate our young people.  

Annual Meeting

Our annual meeting was held at our fund raiser on April 12th. Gary Owen of North Salem and Rex McClain were elected to the museum board for retiring Sally Lawson & Judy Pingel. We thank Sally & Judy for their service and welcome Gary & Rex to the museum board. Sally will continue working with our tours and Judy plans on continued support of our activities.  

Arriving April 2, 2012: 1940 Federal Census

The Federal Census is an important piece of information for those who are interested in researching their ancestors. By federal law the poplation census is released every 72 years. Free online access to the 1940 census can be seen by visiting www.1940census.archives.gov beginning April 2, 2012 at 9 am Eastern Daylight Time. The one drawback is that an index for the 1940 census is not yet available.  

Central Normal College Digitizing Project

Thanks to a second $20,000 grant for 2012, we will be able to continue working with the Indiana State Library, the Danville Public Library, Hendricks County Museum and the Hendricks County Government Center to digitize the records of Central Normal College and Canterbury College. These digitized records are being put online through the Hendricks County Government Center - Archives and at the Indiana Memory site. It is located at www.in.gov/memories.  Currently, 22 yearbooks dating from 1913 to 1950 are available. Student records are online which include teacher reports, student teacher records, extension classes reports and the college receipt book. Student handbooks and catalogs are next to be digitized. Other items sooon to be digitized are the college quarterlies and issues of the student newspapers.

Additions & Displays

NEW! Virginia Belle Keeney Coats, of Fort Wayne donated a vast amount of family articles to the museum. We have honored her gift by presenting a two room display which includes her mother, Eldora's wedding dress. The Keeney family lived in Danville and ran many business of which one was the Keeney Book Store.

One of our new displays is of Clifford "Click" Relander, who was born in Danville and went west. He became a journalist and while there became friends with Native Americans. Click made a bronze sculpture of a Native American and it is displayed in the museum, along with other items.

The 1894 medical records of Dr. Clark Fabree have been copied and may be viewed at the museum.

2012 Board Members:

  • Gail Tharp, President - Danville
  • Nancy Johnson, Vice-President - Avon
  • Sue Wood, Secretary - Plainfield
  • Max Poynter, Treasurer - Danville
  • Jeff Baldwin - Danville
  • Deanna Hindsley - Brownsburg
  • Gary Owen - North Salem
  • Rex McClain - Avon
  • Phyllis Parsons - Clayton

Donations Welcome

Since the museum reopened in 2007, the volunteers at the museum have been busy organizing the vast collection, inputting our collection into a computer software program, refreshing the exhibits, restoring rooms (the upper and lower foyers, sheriff's office and upstairs bathroom), open for tours each Saturday, giving special guided tours during the week, and trying to be more visible in the county. The Board is grateful to the many volunteers for their help. If you would like to lend time with a tour, exhibits, collections there is a place for you. Contact a Board member and they will fit you with your interest.

The museum's financial operation is dependent on memberships, donations and grants. Please consider supporting the museum. Gifts can be given "In memory" of a loved one or "In honor" of a friend. We thank you for your support!
 
Civil War Heritage Days - Hendricks County

Union and Confederate soldiers

President Abraham Lincoln and Union generals

In 2011 the Danville Public Library and the Hendricks County Historical Museum commemorated the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the War between the States with our event, Civil War Heritage Days - Hendricks County. Blessed with good weather, visitors were able to talk with and hear personal stories from President Abraham Lincoln (played by Wilbur Tague), General Ulysses S. Grant (played by Steve Smith), Emma Edmonds who was a spy for the Union forces (played by Nancy Hughes) and Hendricks County Judge John V. Hadley (played by Jeff Baldwin). Re-enactors were camped at the Museum and the Hendricks County Government Center. There was a cavalry unit, Union and Confederate forces, the pony express and a hospital unit which helped to educate the public about this war. Other activities included a cricket game, a fashion show and a ladies tea.

This year we will once again host the two day Civil War Heritage Days-Hendricks County on June 23 & 24, 2012. We will have an Argriculture and Transporation Display at the government center. Civil War Re-enactors will be camping at the museum, courthhouse lawn and at the government center. Several program will be presented in the courthouse rotunda. Music will be played throughout the two days. Our new event will be a Grand Ball held on Saturday evening in the Courthouse Rotunda. A dance class will be given prior to the ball for anyone who would like to learn dances beforehand. For more information, please visit the Civil War Heritage website.

Civil War Clothing Meeting: April 12 at 6 pm Civil War Clothing Workshops April 21, May 12, June 9

Location: Danville Public Library

On April 12th, there will be a Civil War Clothing Meeting which will start at 6 pm.  Candy Smith will discuss how to begin making Civil War clothing. The workshops will be from 10 am to 3 pm each day. Experienced seamstresses will be available to answer questions and help you. Registration is prefered. Contact Cindy at the Danville Library at 745-2604 if you're interested.

Vendors which are appropiate to the mid 1800's are welcome.  Vist our website for more information. 

Re-enactors camp
 

"The mission of the Hendricks County Historical Museum is to collect, preserve and interpret items relating to the people, places and events of Hendricks County and to stimulate public interest in the heritage of the county through education, exhibits and special programs."

shopThe museum is located in the former Sheriff's Residence and jail. Built in 1866 at an approximate cost of $30,000, it served as the county jail until 1974. The building is now owned and maintained by the county. The museum staff is responsible for the contents and display of the collections.

The two-story brick structure is the only surviving example of the Second Empire style of architecture in the county. The Second Empire style was popular after the Civil War and has as defining elements, a central tower and a mansard roof. The museum was the first building in Hendricks County to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. An exterior renovation of the building, which included restoration of the decorative band of rosettes on the mansard roof, was completed in 1996.

The Hendricks County Museum is a fascinating place filled with artifacts dating back to 1866 when the Museum served as the Sheriff's Residence and jail. There are several rooms decorated in the period of early 1900's, including the kitchen, parlor and bedrooms. Come and experience the rich history of Hendricks County, Indiana.
 

Hendricks County Historical Museum Sign
170 South Washington St.
P. O. Box 226
Danville, IN 46122
317-718-6158

Hours of Operation
Saturday 11am - 3pm

Closed January/February
for Restoration

For appointment or tours call
317-745-4784

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Upcoming Events

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