EVENTS
October mystery walk—A fun museum fundraising event held annually the week before Halloween:
This year’s mystery walk will be held Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. Murder on the Monon will take place in Mitchell this year. Tickets and details are available at the museum. (812) 278-8575
Scare on the Square
The museum will be participating in Scare on the Square again this year on Oct. 31 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Anyone dressed as an historical figure will get a special treat.
Monthly Meeting
The Historical and Genealogical Society meeting
Second Monday of each month in the Meeting Room, Lawrence County Museum of History
6:30 p.m.—Business meeting—open to everyone
7:00 p.m.—Speaker's program: Speaker and topics change each month. These public events are free and available for everyone to enjoy.
2024 VISITING SPEAKERS PROGRAM, 7 P.M.—SECOND MONDAY OF EACH MONTH.
Nov. 11, 2024, 7 p.m.— Lori Roberts presents: “Nancy Ward, Beloved Woman of the Cherokee,” exploring an extraordinary woman and her unique role in history.
NOTE: Many of the earlier programs have been recorded and can be seen on the museum’s youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lawrencecountymuseumofhist8440/featured
On the museum’s youtube home page, there are more videos on the site than first meet your eyes. Be sure to click on videos to see the complete list.
Volunteers are alway needed—Whatever your age, background, or ability, there's a way for you to volunteer and help your museum. Contact the museum if you are interested in volunteering next year.
Presentations presented earlier in 2024
Jan. 8, 2024, 7 p.m.—Speaker Svitlana Melnyk will present "Ukrainian Culture: The Basis of Identity and Inspiration for Resistance."
Feb. 12, 2024, 7 p.m.—Speaker Janice Nickeo Pendergrass, "The History of Chuck's Soul Food and Bertha's Mission"
March 11, 2024, 7 p.m.—Phil Mitchell Excellence in History Contest winners read their essays and monetary awards were presented. All Lawrence County 7th and 8th grade students (public, private, and home school) were eligible. Students visited the museum, selected an item to research and composed a 200-300 word essay about a person, place, event or artifact. We encourage everyone to attend and discover what these excellent students have discovered. The Phil Mitchell Excellence in History Annual Award was established to honor the life and legacy of Phil Mitchell, and encourage 7th- and 8th-grade students to explore and gain a greater understanding of Lawrence County history.
April 8, 2024, 7 p.m.—Due to concerns about potential difficulties related to the April 8 total eclipse, the Lawrence County Museum is canceling the April 8 membership meeting and speaker program. We look forward to seeing you all in May!
May 13, 2024, 7 p.m.—Kevin Hudson of Hudson’s Photography presented a program on his drone videos. Kevin also discussed how to take care of and restore old photographs. Here’s a two minute example of one of Kevin’s overhead shots of downtown Bedford. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg06QBZ-gwY&sns=em
June 10, 2024, 7 p.m.—Diana Matthews: will talk about the commune, “Padanaram.” The commune is alive and well today and is located on nearly 3000 acres in the wooded countryside near Silverville, Indiana.
July 8, 2024, 7 p.m.—Janine Giordano Drake: “The 20th Century Labor Movement in America.”
Aug. 12, 2024, 7 p.m.—Andrew Kluender: “The Dixie Highway.”
Sept. 9, 2024, 7 p.m.—David Nord: “Newspaper History.”
Oct. 14, 2024, 7 p.m.—Dan Bortner: “Indiana State Parks”
2023— Speakers Program presentations
2022—Speakers Program presentations
2021—Speakers Program presentations
2020—Speakers Program presentations
2019—Speakers Program presentations
2018—Speakers Program presentations
2017— Speakers Program presentations
2016— Speakers Program presentations
2014—Speakers Program presentations
2013—Speakers Program presentations
2012 —Speaker's Program presentations
Other presentations can be accessed at: https://vimeo.com/groups/178841
Historic Preservation
Watch Marla Jones and Rowena Cross-Najafi discuss what that means here in Lawrence County—The Star Station presentation can be viewed at any time: http://vimeo.com/m/94877599
Indiana History Project
Sisters of St. Benedict: Click to watch the program.
2014: Civil War: Rowena Cross-Najafi interviews gallery coordinator Becky Buher about the “Letters Home” exhibit. Click to watch the program.
Host Norm Taylor talks with Larry King of the Lawrence County Museum about "Things That are Disappearing from our Lives" http://vimeo.com/43061067
Stop by the museum gift shop for unique, locally-made and/or locally-focused items for everyone on your list. You will find books, mugs, coasters, cards, limestone souvenirs, handbags, aprons, doll clothes, and lots more. Prices are reasonable and 100% of the profits go to the museum.
Book Sale
The Friends of the Museum are having an ongoing used book sale in the meeting room of the museum. Books are priced from $0.50 to $2.00 and all funds raised go to support the museum. There are many books to choose from including current fiction novels, romance, history, sports and children's books.
Related events
Do you know of a history or heritage focused event going on in or around Lawrence County? Please email us at president@lcmuseum.org, and we'll add it here.