Indiana and Local History Programs
To register for programs call (317) 839-6602, x114 or register online through the Event Calendar
Shaking the Leaves of Your Family Tree
Second Monday of each month from 6 - 8 p.m.
Want to trace your family tree and don't know how to begin? Or have you begun and reached a snag? Phyllis Walters, the Local and Indiana Information Department's genealogy expert, will be available for individual consultation the second Monday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. Join Phyllis in the department's reading room. Registration is not required.
Night Move: The Case of the "Stolen" College
Date: 07/22/2008 7:00pm Location: West Meeting Room
Twenty-four years ago the Baltimore Colts made a secret, late-night move to Indianapolis. Nearly 100 years earlier a similar event took place in Ladoga, Indiana. Join us as Cindy Rutledge of the Danville Public Library discuses how the citizens of Danville "stole" the former Ladoga Normal School. Learn about the history of this institution, which operated as Central Normal College in Danville until 1946 and boasts more than 50,000 alumni. Registration is required.
Cemetery Etiquette 101
Date: 07/31/2008 7:00pm Location: West Meeting Room
Local historian Libbe Hughes will discuss the basics of Indiana cemetery law as well as tombstone styles and repair techniques. Discover how to read old stones and learn what safety and ethical issues to consider when exploring Hoosier graveyards. Registration is required.
Indiana's Ukulele Ambassadors: The Key Strummers
Date: 08/02/2008 3:00pm Location: McMillan A-B Meeting Room
Help us celebrate the end of our Summer Reading Program! Stop by and hear the Key Strummers from IPS's Key Learning Center, a ukulele group devoted to reviving Indiana's rural jazz traditions of the 1920s and 30s. These talented children have performed with Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" and at Governor Frank O'Bannon's memorial service, among others. Come here this enthusiastic, fun group of musicians. We're sure you'll be delighted! Registration is strongly encouraged.
The Barbizon of the Midwest
Date: 08/07/2008 7:00pm Location: West Meeting Room
During the first quarter of the 20th century, Brown County, Indiana was an inspiration as well as home to several world-famous landscape painters. Wabash College student (and Plainfield High School grad) Mitch Brown will discuss Brown County's art colony and its role in Indiana's artistic prominence. Registration required.
Legacy of the WPA in Indiana
Date: 08/19/2008 7:00pm Location: West Meeting Room
2008 marks the 75th anniversary of President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal labor programs, which provided unemployment relief during the Great Depression. One of them, the Works Progress Administration, was responsible for construction of numerous post offices, roads, schools, sewer systems, recreational facilities, murals, parks and public sculpture throughout Indiana. Historian Glory-June Grieff will present a slideshow and lecture about the many Works Progress Administration projects in Indiana. Registration is required.
Perennial Plant Exchange
Date: 09/04/2008 6:30pm Location: McMillan-B Meeting Room
It's our perennially popular plant exchange, back again for the sixth consecutive year. Dig up several of your perennial favorites (minimum of 4; please identify with label) to exchange for plants brought by others. Master Gardener Colletta Kosiba will also talk about why autumn is a great time to divide plants and explain how to care for your "new" selections. Registration is required.
Indiana Folk Music and Mountain Dulcimer Concert
Date: 09/20/2008 3:00pm Location: McMillan A & B Meeting Room
Bring the entire family for a crowd pleasing, toe tapping performance of traditional American tunes. Featured instruments are dulcimers, guitars, autoharps, mandolins, fiddles, and a washboard. This concert is free, but registration is requested.
Pumpkin Flower Arranging
Date: 10/14/2008 6:30pm Location: West Meeting Room
Tired of your same old autumn decor? Master gardener Colletta Kosiba will teach you how to create unique floral arrangements by using old standbys in new ways. You provide a small real pumpkin or a ceramic or plastic pumpkin container (to be used as a vase); Colletta will furnish a variety of fall flowers from her garden plus all floral arranging supplies. You'll leave with loads of ideas and a festive seasonal display for your home or office. Participants should bring a small real or ceramic pumpkin. Registration limited to 15. Registration is required.
Quilters Hall of Fame
Date: 10/28/2008 7:00pm Location: West Meeting Room
Quilts have a long history of providing comfort, yet many are also beautiful works of art and fine needlecraft. Peggy Long, board member of the Quilters Hall of Fame in Marion, Indiana, will talk about this unique organization and its programs and collections. Learn about Marie Webster, author of the first book of quilt history and owner of a thriving early 20th century home-based mail order quilt pattern business. In addition, throughout the month of October, the library's upstairs gallery will feature an exhibit of quilts made by Kay Kingsley of Indianapolis. Registration required.
The Patten Family: A Legacy of Military Service
Date: 11/11/2008 7:00pm Location: West Meeting Room
Celebrate Veteran's Day by learning about the Pattens, the U.S. Navy's largest family of soldiers. Hear about their 124 years of service. Registration is required.
4000 Years of Architecture in 20 (or so) Minutes
Date: 11/13/2008 7:00pm Location: West Meeting Room
You'll never again think the same way about outhouses, mobile homes, and telephone booths after you've seen and heard Indiana architect/cartoonist Steve Schaecher's humorous history. Registration is required.
Holiday Harp Music
Date: 12/16/2008 7:00pm Location: McMillan-B Meeting Room
Harpists Linda Owens will play holiday favorites. Stop by and relax with the sounds of the season. Registration required.