Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article
Historic Treasure of the Week -
July 21, 2002
By Barbara Carney
Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Society observes birthdays in ‘Celebration’
Happy Birthday to you--and you--and you!
The Vigo County Historical Society is proudly celebrating its 80th birthday this year and many other Terre Haute businesses, clubs and organizations are having milestone anniversaries as well. These special dates call for a “Celebration,” which is the name of the exhibit just opened in the Vigo County Historical Museum.
The center of the display is a colorful birthday salute to the Historical Society and its 1922 beginnings. Under the tutelage of Herbert Briggs, then president of the Indiana Historical Society, and chaired by Judge D.W. Henry, an open meeting was conducted for anyone interested in forming a society. The organization was incorporated in 1924 with 44 charter members. The museum at Sixth Street and Washington Avenue opened in 1958 and the society has continued to expand and establish a prominent place in the community.
The exhibit room is filled with memorabilia, photographs and background information that tell the stories of other organizations celebrating milestones in the year 2002.
The oldest business featured is Hulman & Co. observing 110 years. Several are marking 100 years of service. This is a centennial year for J.C. Penney Co. nationally, however the first Terre Haute store opened in 1934. An award-winning dress and scrapbook from Mary Glenn Yeager Smith honor the 100th birthday of 4-H. Other centennials are Columbia Enameling, the YWCA, Gartland Foundry, Overland/Standard Wheel Works and Woodburn Graphics.
A uniform worn by Ingrid Stoelting in the 1950s gives recognition to the 90th birthday of Girl Scouts USA. Joining the Historical Society with 80 years are Gurman and Sons and the Indiana Theatre.
The 75 years since Goodwill Industries opened its store in Terre Haute are represented with a display board that tells the story of this organization. However, nationwide Goodwill is 100. Others in the 75-year category are Community Theatre of Terre Haute with colorful costumes from past plays, the Terre Haute Symphony, St. George Orthodox Church and Carney Tire Co.
Our exhibit goes on with memorabilia showcasing 50, 40, 30 and 25-year birthdays, too numerous to mention in one article.
Oh, one final note--the first Historical Treasure was written in 1982 by Dorothy Jerse, so a Big Happy 20th to our newspaper appearances!
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The Web site: http://web.indstate.edu/community/vchs.