The Lawrence County Museum of History, Edward L. Hutton Research Library, exhibits and collections are dedicated to engage, inspire, educate, entertain and preserve objects of lasting interest for current and future generations to enjoy.

What's Happening  

Check out the Gift Shop: You will also find unique items—historic photo coasters/tiles, framed reproductions of vintage photos, notecards, books by local authors, limestone souvenirs, Envision handbags, mugs, a vintage corner and lots more.  Prices are reasonable and 100% of the profits go to the museum.

Follow the museum’s youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lawrencecountymuseumofhist8440/featured
New items posted every Tuesday.

Indiana Memory Digital Collection: Thanks to a grant from the Indiana Historical Society, the James Guthrie photo slide collection is now available online. The complete Guthrie collection can be seen at this site. Click to see the Guthrie collection as well as local African-American history.

Take a virtual tour:
Tour inside the Lawrence County Museum on Google maps.

Click to view videos of the museum and other interesting Lawrence County sites.

Book Lovers: “Who Murdered Sarah Schafer” includes 1904 pictures and records that had never before been made public. You can find a variety of books by local authors in the museum gift shop such as: “The Big white House on the Corner” by Ann Armstrong, “Garvey Lane, Bedford, Indiana: An Unofficial History,” by Danny G. Taylor, includes both researched history and first-person accounts of life on the small road that became John Williams Boulevard. Ron Bell's book "Our Hoosier Heritage and Its Foundation, 1680-1820, "The Cave's Path," a book by Shirley Williams and set in Lawrence County, "Letters Home"—Civil War letters written by Silas Mathes to his girlfriend in Bedford includes local and military pictures.  Available at the museum and online. Click to see books for sale online.

Looking for bargain books? Used books of all kinds are for sale in the museum meeting room. Paperbacks $1, and hardbound $2 each.

Lawrence County Historical Location Records Archive: Personal memories can be forgotten, and places of historic value can be lost. An online archive is being created to identify as many historic locations as possible. Click to see details.

Museum volunteers are always needed—Whatever your age, background, or ability, there's a way for you to volunteer and help your museum. Volunteer as much as you want—just a few hours or as many as you want. Contact the museum for information on how you can help.

EDWARD L. HUTTON LIBRARY

Library Center Case—The Vincennes Tract Line is explained through museum artifacts. Native American items from the Leesville area highlight this display with explanations as to where the line was drawn.

Research Family History: The research library on the second floor has a plethora of family history information. Joyce Shepherd is the librarian, and she will be glad to assist researchers in their quests.

Historic news: The easy to use work station in the library is a treasure trove of information — 390 local newspaper microfilm reels have been converted into a digital indexed database searchable by name, date or keyword. If you choose to print the results of your research, print cost is 20 cents a copy.

PLEASE NOTE: Museum’s Saturday hours have changed to 9-12.

Current and Upcoming Events

From Bedford to the World: The Art of Julia Zollman Wickes
Saturday Aug. 29, 2026 at the Lawrence County Museum, reception and openhouse 4-7 p.m. Click for details

Voices of our Past—An America 250 Theatrical Presentation exploring life on the Indiana frontier through the experiences of local characters like John Guthrie, Ezekiel Short, Granny White, and more. Aug. 30, 2 p.m. StoneGate Arts & Education Center. Click for ticket prices and details.

Stained Glass Window Project—Two beautiful stained glass windows once located at Dunn Hospital are being located in the conference room on the museum’s 2nd floor. A reception and openhouse on Saturday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. is your opportunity to view them and thank the donors who made this project possible.

October Historic Walk: Friday, Oct. 30, 6 to 9 p.m. will focus on the 1904 murders of brothers Charles and James Rout in Bryantsville. Check back for details.

Monthly Speaker ProgramS

Lawrence County Historical and Genealogical Society on the second Mondays of the month—The meetings begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by our speakers program at 7. Both the meeting and the speaker program are free and open to the public.

September 14, 2026, 6:30 p.m.: Membership meeting. Speakers: 7 p.m., Tonie and Ed Kedzierski will present “Honey—History and Tasting.”

October 12, 2026, 6:30 p.m.: Membership meeting. Speaker: to be announced

November 9, 2026, 6:30 p.m.: Membership meeting. Speaker: 7 p.m. Carroll Ritter, “The Mystery of Caves”

For past speakers, go to the Events page.

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.

In the Galleries

Entrance Hallway—The First Ladies and Hostesses of the United States heard there was a big celebration in 2026 for the country which they helped start and maintain. Usually exhibited when a new president is inaugurated, the Lois Wiley display celebrates all the ladies in the White House from Martha Washington to Melanie Trump.

Gallery 1 window—Celebrating America 250. Pictures celebrate the “Washington Crossing the Delaware” bicentennial gift to the people of America from citizens of Bedford, Indiana, and the Limestone Industry July 5, 1976. The life-size sculpture was created by master carver Frank Arena and other talented local carvers. Coasters showing the sculpture are available in the museum gift shop.

South Display Table — Remembering the 49 Revolutionary War soldiers who are buried in Lawrence County. Jay Wilson’s 1978 large book of pencil grave rubbings created by the Little Hoosier Historians are preserved and on display..

North Display Table—During America’s 250th birthday celebration, Thomas Jefferson’s portrait, copies of the 1776 Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights are displayed. Pocket copies of the United States Constitution will soon be available in the museum gift shop.

The author of the Star Spangled Banner, Francis Scott Key artifacts bring us the gentleman who waited anxiously abroad a ship to see if the flag still waved over Fort McHenry.

American Red Cross —Lawrence County’s unique role with American Red Cross founder, Clara Barton came through her friendship with Dr. Joseph and Enola Lee Gardner. In 1893, The Gardner’s donated their 782-acre farm to the Red Cross to stage emergency supplies and to create a training school. A Christmas gift from Barton is one of the items as well as unique quilt created in 1917 to support the men involved in World War I. 

Spring Mill: The large 1934 replica of the gristmill and a some of the village houses are on display.

Bud Isaacs—Country music fans will enjoy a sample of his music. The exhibit honors  Bedford native, Forrest "Bud" Isaacs. Isaacs revolutionized the steel guitar.  Click to see more.

Who are Lawrence County's Astronauts? The permanent exhibit is in the north end of the gallery.  

Gallery 2 east window—2026 is the nation’s Semiquincentennial. Icons of America celebrates with artifacts that make us think of the United States of America. The Betsy Ross Flag, the flag with 50 stars, the White House, and, of course, a bald eagle bring to mind our great country as it celebrates 250 years.

McReynolds Community Gallery

June 1-July 31, 2026: “I Pledge Allegiance” Flag Art Exhibit; Lawrence County Art Association.

At Your Service