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Henry County Historical Society & Museum

Bringing history to life & life to history since 1887!

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HENRY COUNTY HISTORY FEED

About Us
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Genealogy Library
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HENRY COUNTY HISTORY FEED

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Copyright 1887-2024 Henry County Historical Society, New Castle, Indiana

Bringing History to Life & Life to History Since 1887! Hours of Operation
Please contact us to schedule a tour and/or research during these hours: Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays 1 p.m.-4 p.m. If no appointment is made, tour and/or research cannot be guaranteed if no volunteers are available. Open through early March to late December! Admission Fees: None! Call us: 765-529-4028 Email us: HenryCountyMuseum@gmail.com Mail us: 606 South 14th Street, New Castle, IN 47362

7,659

Henry County Historical Society, Inc

Open early March - December!
Open Thursdays and Fridays, 1-4 p.m. ET,
& Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. ET
Please call ahead for tours and/or research so that we may schedule volunteers. If no appointment is made, tours and/or research cannot be guaranteed.

Henry County Historical Society, Inc

4 days ago

On this day in Henry County history, April 17, 1986, a Henry County News Republican article announced Parkview Junior High School's very first principal, Lewis Larrison,, was retiring at the end of the school year. Larrison had been on the job for 21 years.Lew may have retired then, but he kept on contributing the community -- even at age 92. He served as a member of the Big Blue River Conservancy District from 1996 until his death May 13, 2019. He was one of the oldest public servants in the state.Lew is remembered as a calming and experienced voice on the many boards. He served for 3 decades on the board of the Westminster Community Center. Lew was a 50+ year member of the First Presbyterian Church of New Castle where over the years he served as church deacon and trustee. He was a past-president of the Kiwanis Club.Here is a story written by Henry County Historian Darrel Radford and published in The Courier-Times on Aug. 2, 2018, about Lewis Larrison.Heavy rains often make headlines. What does not is the flooding prevented by work done for more than 50 years by an unheralded group known as the Big Blue River Conservancy District (BBRCD)."That's one thing the newspapers never mention," 92-year-old Lewis Larrison said. "After a flood-type rain, the newspapers never say 'if it weren't for the conservancy district, think what it could have been."A flood of a different kind happened Tuesday at Addison House, when BBRCD officials "flooded" Larrison with honor, praise and well wishes in appreciation for his continued efforts as a board member.Since 1996, the retired New Castle educator has played an important role on the BBRCD Board. Tuesday morning at the Addison House, members gathered to surprise him with a plaque in his honor, lunch and a cake celebrating his long-term commitment to the district."He always pays attention," long-time BBRCD Contracting Officer Jan Crider said of Larrison. "He's very sincere and he always shows genuine concern. He's a great, great board member."BBRCD Board members meet between 12 and 14 times per year and rarely make news. Larrison "always has perfect attendance," Crider said.Crider wasn't surprised to hear Larrison tell this newspaper reporter about the flood control that's never mentioned."Over the years as you know, certain aspects of the district capture the public's attention moreso than others, like the recreational aspect of Summit Lake or Westwood Park," Crider said. "And Lew was always great at bringing the district back to its roots of flood control and importance of all the dams and the Big Blue River Valley and the protection that's being provided now. A lot of people have moved on and younger people just kind of take it for granted. Lew's one who remembers the flooding we used to have down along 3 and 38.""I think my favorite part of serving on the district would be the flood control," Larrison confirmed, "because I can remember when Highway 3 and Broad Street, that intersection, would be flooded. Then the conservancy district built a lake called Summit Lake. Then we built one at Hillsboro and we kept going with flood control projects. Now, when we have extra rain, our efforts have been proven viable."Young people today who enjoy Summit Lake may not realize the recreational area was first created by the BBRCD, improved, and then sold to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, which operates the facility now.Larrison is well-known in New Castle, having served 22 years as principal of what was then Parkview Junior High School and was the principal there when it first opened in May, 1972. He spent 37 years in education here overall. Had it not been for his wife, Marjorie, however, an elementary school teacher here for many years herself, he may have never come to New Castle or served on the BBRCD board for so long."My wife was already teaching here," he said. "While I was in the service during World War II, she was attending Butler University. By the time I finished up at Ball State, she was already teaching here. I interviewed other places and I already had signed a contract to teach at Seymour."Then one day," Larrison continued, "the superintendent here, Joe Craw, called me to his office and said 'Mr. Larrison, I understand you signed a contract at Seymour.' Of course, that meant I was going to take my wife with me. I said, 'that's right.'""Well," Larrison concluded, "he picked up the phone, called the superintendent at Seymour and said 'Mr. Larrison's changed his mind. He's going to be teaching here.' So I'm famous for breaking my first teacher's contract. But this was a wonderful place to raise our kids. The school system was second to none."Larrison said his love of the outdoors dates back to his boyhood and fishing with his father."We'd go out and fish the streams in the Indianapolis area," he reflected. "In those days, you didn't have all these wonderful places to fish that are available now."Interestingly, he and his father – Elmer Lewis Larrison – both served in the military at the same time briefly during World War II."It only lasted about six weeks or two months, because when a man turned 38 years old, he was automatically discharged," Larrison said. "I enlisted in the Navy when I was 17, and I as soon as I turned 18, my dad was discharged."Larrison will continue serving on the BBRCD through the end of 2019, when his term expires. He may be one of the oldest public servants in the state.Crider and the rest of the board believe he's certainly one of the best."Lew, the whole purpose of this is just to say thank you – for the past, present and future," Crider said. "We appreciate you being a board member for the conservancy district. We know it's very sincere and dear to your heart. I'm lucky to have this kind of director on our board." ... See MoreSee Less

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Henry County Historical Society, Inc

5 days ago

On April 16, 1867, Wilbur Wright, co-inventor of the airplane, was born near Millville in Liberty Township.Wilbur Wright was born in a small farmhouse, a replica of which is shown here. They were humble beginnings for one whose work alongside his brother set the stage for so many remarkable advancements that have enhanced life as we know it today.Wilbur and Orville Wright made the first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft with the Wright Flyer south of Kitty Hawk, N.C. It was a day that changed the world.It could be argued that the Wrights’ work laid the foundation for not only commercial air travel enjoyed by millions today, but also for U.S. military might through its Air Force superiority across the world.Wilbur died May 30, 1912, from typhoid fever.We invite you to visit our museum at 606 S. 14th Street and our website at www.henrycountymuseum.org to learn more about Wilbur Wright. We're open anytime by appointment. Please call 765-524-0530.Also, please visit our Henry County historical partners at the Wilbur Wright Birthplace Museum at wwbirthplace.com, which features a replica plane the Wright Brothers flew at Kitty Hawk, N.C. and many other interesting exhibits. ... See MoreSee Less

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Henry County Historical Society, Inc

6 days ago

On this date in Henry County history, April 15, 1923, Katharine, Loren and Orville Wright are in attendance as a memorial to Wilbur Wright is dedicated in Henry County Memorial Park. The dedication came just a day before Wilbur Wright would have turned 56 years old.It was the very first monument dedication in the park. The event happened just one day before Wilbur would have celebrated his 56th birthday. Wilbur Wright was born near Millville on April 16, 1867. He died May 30, 1912 at the age of 45.The photo from the Henry County Historical Society shows Katharine Wright with brothers Orville and Loren.BASKETBALL LIVES HEREThis Day In Henry County history is brought to you by Destination Henry County Indiana. Discover slam dunk experiences at www.HoopsInHenry.com. Visit the Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/VisitHenryCounty.com.HELP US PRESERVE COMMUNITY HISTORYPlease join the Henry County Historical Society with a $25 annual membership. Visit our website at www.henrycountymuseum.orgCOME SEE US!We're open Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. We're also open ANYTIME by appointment. Call 765-529-4028 and leave a message. ... See MoreSee Less

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Henry County Historical Society, Inc

6 days ago

On this day in history, April 15, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln died from a bullet wound to the head suffered the night before at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Beside Lincoln's photo here are New York Times headlines.On the morning of April 14, 1865 (Good Friday), actor John Wilkes Booth learned President Abraham Lincoln would attend a performance of the comedy Our American Cousin that night at Ford’s Theatre—a theatre Booth frequently performed at. He realized his moment had arrived.By 10:15 that evening, the comedy was well into its last act. In the Presidential Box, President and Mrs. Lincoln and their guests, Major Henry Rathbone and his fiancée, Clara Harris, laughed at the show along with the audience—not knowing that Booth was just outside the door.When news of Lincoln's death reached Middletown here in Henry County, an angry mob tarred and feathered a visiting Virginian for saying "It was good enough; he should have been killed long ago."Historians say New Castle merchant Miles Murphey was a friend of Lincolns and an invited guest to the 16th President's Springfield home on occasion. The Murphey building is not only still standing, but in use today at the corner of Main and Broad streets.Here are more Henry County links to Lincoln in a column written by Darrel Radford.By DARREL RADFORDHistorically SpeakingWith the recent success of Stephen Speilberg’s movie “Lincoln,” it’s interesting to consider Henry County’s connections to the 16th president. Here are a couple some may not realize:Miles MurpheyWhether they realize it or not, anyone stopped at the intersection of Broad and Main streets in New Castle — the intersection where the Murphey Building resides — is in historic Lincoln territory. The man who had that building constructed in the 1840s (where the Chamber and EDC offices are located today) was a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln’s.Col. Miles Murphey was a legislator and businessman in New Castle. Built in the 1850s to house his store, the structure is the oldest in the downtown business district and one of the oldest in Henry County.In his “Historic Henry County” series, Herbert Heller reveals the relationship between Murphey and Lincoln through the writing of well-known New Castle artist Helen Magner.“Although they were from the south, the family hated slavery and took part in the heated politics of the decades before the Civil War,” Magner wrote. “Miles Murphey was elected from Henry County as a member of the (Indiana) House of Representatives in 1837. He heard the Lincoln and Douglas debates, and when Lincoln was nominated, he was a delegate to the convention in Chicago. That same year, he was one of the Electoral College that voted for Lincoln.“He came to know Lincoln personally and on several occasions, he and his wife, Elizabeth, were guests of the Lincolns at their home in Springfield. It was there that Lincoln gave him a book in which he autographed using the initial ‘A’ instead of ‘Abraham’ as he could do only among friends.”Letter to Spiceland WomanOn Oct. 26, 1863, Spiceland resident Caroline Edgerton received a letter from President Lincoln and a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation. She had requested it on behalf of the local Ladies Aid Society, a relief organization for Civil War soldiers.“According to the request made in your behalf, the original draft of the Emancipation Proclamation is herewith inclosed. The formal word at the top and the conclusion, except the signature, you perceive, are not in my handwriting. They were written at the state department, by whom I know not. The printed part was cut from the preliminary proceedings and pasted on merely to save writing.“I had some desire to retain the paper, but if it shall contribute to the relief or comfort of the soldiers, that will be better.”Your Obt, Serv’tA. Lincoln. ... See MoreSee Less

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Henry County Historical Society, Inc

6 days ago

On this day in Henry County history, April 15, 2009, Donald C. “Danny” Danielson was presented the “Sachem Award” by Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels at the Statehouse. The Sachem (SAY’-chum) is given in recognition of a lifetime of excellence honoring Indiana. The then 89-year-old Danielson was honored for his leadership in New Castle and for his service to Indiana University, which he attended on a baseball scholarship and later was the longest serving trustee in the school’s history. Danielson also led a campaign to locate the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Museum in New Castle.Danielson died May 7, 2015, at the age of 95.BASKETBALL LIVES HEREThis Day In Henry County history is brought to you by Destination Henry County Indiana. Discover slam dunk experiences at www.HoopsInHenry.com. Visit the Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/VisitHenryCounty.com.HELP US PRESERVE COMMUNITY HISTORYPlease join the Henry County Historical Society with a $25 annual membership. Visit our website at www.henrycountymuseum.orgCOME SEE US!We're open Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. We're also open ANYTIME by appointment. Call 765-529-4028 and leave a message. ... See MoreSee Less

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NOTICE

Because we are a Special Collections Library and Archive, our hours may differ on short notice due to staffing and volunteers. Please check our hours carefully to make sure we will be open for your visit. Sometimes we are on tours or with previously scheduled guests and cannot answer the door or phone. Appointments are highly recommended for people traveling to visit us. (You can request an appointment by emailing us at HenryCountyMuseum@gmail.com.) We recommend making your appointment at least one week in advance.

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