March 1, 2016

 

The Spencer County Historical Society met on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, in the Rockport Library Genealogy Room.

 

The meeting was called to order by the president at 6:30 PM with six members and one guest present.

 

The guest made a presentation about an art project she was working on for the 2016 Indiana Bicentennial.  It would involve the North Spencer and South Spencer School Corporations.  Students would be divided into four different grade levels and there would be three categories - digital design, mixed media, and green construction.  The money to fund the 24 winners (twelve in each school corporation) would be furnished by the Spencer County Community Foundation but would be distributed by the Society.  We would be listed as a sponsor.

 

Discussion on the project followed after she left.  The proposal died for lack of a motion. 

 

The minutes from the last meeting were read and approved.

 

The treasurer’s report was given. 

 

The secretary read an item about a new tower being built near Dale, Indiana.  The Society had received the information in an e-mail.

 

A member mentioned he had met with a committee to discuss the restoration of George H. Honig’s mural “Lincoln’s Forest College” which hangs in the entrance of Rockport Elementary.  Tom Kennedy is going to restore the mural. 

 

The Historian of the Year Banquet was discussed.  The banquet will be at the Cornerstone Methodist Church in Chrisney, Indiana, on Saturday, April 23, 2016, at 6:00 PM.  The historian to be honored is Steve Haaff.  The commemorative historian will be Col. James S. Wright.  Dennis Hutchinson, a Civil War reenactor, will be the guest speaker.  The meal will be catered by the ladies of the church.  A ticket for the banquet will be $15.00.  Reservations must be made by Monday, April 18, 2016.

 

The president read a letter from a former Spencer Countian who inquired if the Society would be interested in family artifacts.  The president was going to contact her and advise her that she might want to check with the Lincoln Pioneer Village Museum as the Society had no place to display such items.

 

The president reported a member had met with a man who has some historical items for the Society to inspect.  The member is going to set up a meeting with the man.

 

A member informed the Society of the date on which the State of Indiana will be in the Rockport area to have a program at the site of Daniel Grass’s grave.  Jim Corridan, Director and State Archivist, said the ceremony will be held Wednesday, June 15, 2016.  The time will be announced later.  Daniel Grass is being honored as he was an original member of the framers of Indiana’s first Constitution.

 

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried.  The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.

 

The next meeting will be April 5, 2016 at 6:30 PM in the Genealogy Room.