Happy New Year from Indiana Historical Bureau

IHB Primary Source Banner

Happy New Year!

Look how far we've come:

  • 100 years ago, IHB did not yet exist.  Its predecessor, the Indiana Historical Commission, was not established until 1915. 
  • 75 years ago, Indiana Historical Markers were made of thin sheets of metal painted white, part of a WPA initiative authorized from 1936-1942 (see image below).
  • 50 years ago, the Indiana Historical Marker as we know it was hardly widespread.  Between the years 1957 and 1965, approximately twenty markers were installed using private donations. 
  • 25 years ago, the Indiana General Assembly began to fund the State Historical Marker Program.  From 1989-2004, more markers were placed than had been installed in the 41-year period where the agency operated without funding.
WPA marker

Is Your Marker Next?

Today, nearly 500 markers are standing statewide, with more being dedicated every year, thanks to interested citizens with a love of history.

Watch our website for information on how to apply for an historical marker.  The 2014 Intent to Apply form will be available on March 1.


Busts of Carson and Hinton to be Unveiled in State House

The Indiana General Assembly mandated a black history display in the State House. The Department of Administration, Arts Commission, and IHB, with the concurrence of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, implemented a search process.  The search committee selected artist Jon Hair to create bronze busts of two African-American legislators to become part of the Indiana State House permanent sculpture collection.

Busts of Julia Carson and James Sidney Hinton will be unveiled at the State of Indiana’s 23rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Celebration on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at the Indiana State House. The program is free, but reservations are required.  Register here.


As long as they don't move next door Cover

Shop @ IHB

Get ready for Black History Month.  Now through February 1 enjoy 20% off all African American History books, including the new arrivals.

=============

On Marking Hoosier History

As Indiana plans to celebrate its 200th, we're celebrating the centennial of our agency by “Looking Back” at the weekly newsletters of the Indiana Historical Commission, which planned the state's Centennial celebrations.  Did you know one of the highlights of the festivities in Tipton was a series of oral reports given by school children about Indiana's 92 counties and sponsored by the public library?

Learn about the newsletters in the first blog post for the series and follow along as we turn the pages through 2015.

=============

Leave a Legacy

Our recent weather has been likened to the Blizzard of '78, with similar daily snowfall.  Over 30 years later, Hoosiers are still talking about the Blizzard.  

Make sure the historians of 2050 report on the "polar vortex" and other remarkable moments of 2014 accurately--jot down your memories for posterity!