Lawrence County Museum of History

Lawrence County Museum of History & Edward L. Hutton Research Library

EVENTS

Museum Volunteer Appreciation Dinner—Dec. 9, 2024, 5 p.m., Downtown Depot, 1401 J Street.
The museum values its volunteers. To show this appreciation, all museum volunteers and their guests are invited to join the LCHGS Board and museum staff for an evening of food, fellowship and appreciation.

RSVP your name and the name of your guest to the Appreciation Dinner sign-up sheet in the Hutton Library or email library@lcmuseum.org by Thurs., Dec. 4, 2024.

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 athttps://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

https://vimeo.com/183142343.


 

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. 

929 15th Street, Bedford, IN 47421  |  (812) 278-8575  |  lchgs@lcmuseum.org | Tues-Fri: 9-4, Sat: 9-3