Join the Vigo County History Center for the July Time Travelers Event! This month, YOU can look forward to exploring the beautiful architecture and history found on Indiana State University’s campus, specifically its domes!

Some of the most notable domes on Indiana State University’s campus can be found in Normal Hall and Fairbanks Hall. The dome overlooking Normal Hall was constructed nearly 120 years ago by Louis J. Millet, a Chicago-based architect. His work featured historical figures in art, philosophy, and culture; all of which once gazed upon the reading room of the then Indiana State Normal School.

The dome found in Fairbanks Hall was also constructed nearly 120 years ago and features bust portraits of 16 notable figures in history, including authors, presidents, politicians, artists, inventors, and composers.

Learn even more about these historic structures and others by joining us on Oct. 21st at 5:30pm at the Time Travelers Event. Attendees meet at Normal Hall - 650 Eagle Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807
Time Travelers is Free for members of Indiana Landmarks and the Vigo County History Center. Regular admission $7 adult ticket, $6 seniors (over 60).

This month, Time Travelers can look forward to learning more about Deming Park, the largest park in Terre Haute. Beginning at the heart of the park, guests will start at the Torner Center Building and experience the rich history of the park.

The Tour is free for members of the Vigo County History Center and Indiana Landmarks

Non-members can purchase admission HERE.

With Dr. David Chapman, THSO Board President

Join us for an exploration of the first 100 years of the Terre Haute Symphony Or-chestra, from its visionary leaders and creative artists to its generous supporters and strategic partners. The path to becoming Indiana’s oldest orchestra was rarely easy, marked by resilience, reinvention, and community spirit. This remarkable story traces a century of growth for both the orchestra and the city it calls home.

Admission is free to History Center members and OLLI Members

Adult admission is $7 and seniors $6

The United Association of Journeyman Plumbers, Gas Fitters, Steam Fitters and Steam Fitters’ Helpers of the United States and Canada (U.A.) chartered Local No. 157 in Terre Haute, Indiana, on September 1, 1896, to represent and serve the pipefitting industry and its tradesmen in the city and seven surrounding counties in Indiana.

By 2021, Local 157 has grown to a membership of more than 1,700 craftspeople in its building-trades, metal-trades and gas-distribution divisions, and its jurisdiction has grown to cover the building trades in all or portions of 16 counties in Indiana and six counties in Illinois and gas distribution over most of the State of Indiana and all of the State of Kentucky.

Throughout its history, the local’s progress and development have been direct results of the commitment of and sacrifices made by officers and members. This enduring dynamic will be the highlight of Mitchell Poynter’s, Local 157 Historian, presentation about one of the oldest unions in the Wabash Valley.

On February 20, 1925, the City Mine in Sullivan was the site of a terrible mining accident. Of 121 men in the mine that day, 51 died in the accident, making it the most deadly mine accident in the history of the state of Indiana.

The explosion in the City Mine was part of an epidemic of disasters that plagued the American coal mining industry in the first decades of the twentieth century. This disaster had a profound affect on many families in the Wabash Valley.

In remembrance of this tragedy, Donna Adams will be presenting a PowerPoint program detailing the history of the City Mine Explosion.

Events at the History Center are free for members. Admission to attend is $7.

Who knew there was a mystery involving the Indiana State Flag?!

David Reddick, presenter, is a native of Canada, former newspaper reporter and editor, college journalism instructor and insurance industry professional. The program will cover Reddick’s research for his book, “The Indiana Flag: Who Really Designed It?”, on Saturday, June 28 at 1:30 PM.

A signing and sale of the book will follow the presentation. An avid writer, David, also, co-authored “The Magic of Indians’ Baseball 1887-1987” and authored 15 fictional mystery short stories.

Events at the History Center are free for members. Admission to attend is $7.

The Wonderful World of Hadley

Come hear the story of the artist behind the legendary pottery company. Mary Alice Hadley had design prowess beyond her famous pottery line, produced in Louisville, KY since 1940. The company was purchased in 2022, and remains in continuous production of her famous designs; while making updates and improvements that will allow this legacy to continue for decades to come.

Saturday, June 21 at 2pm.

Free Admission to History Center and OLLI Members

Adult Admission: $7 and Senior Admission: $6.

Join us for Juneteenth 2025!

Local stories of Black History will be told through artifacts, by special guest Dr. Crystal Reynolds.

Thursday, June 19 at 2pm.

This is a free event. All are welcome to attend.

Join us for the June Rime Travelers with Indiana Landmarks!

The Miller-Parrott Baking Company was once located across from Gilbert Park. The manufacturer offered two distinctive product lines — crackers, cakes and cookies being one line, the second being bread.

Miller-Parrott hired many local employees and operated from the location at 1450 Wabash Ave. until 1957.

The property is now known as the Miller-Parrott Lofts.

Admission to this Time Travelers is free for History Center and Indiana Landmarks members. General tickets can be purchased here.

Hats have been a significant part of human culture for thousands of years, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. The history of hats is deeply intertwined with fashion, social status, and functionality, evolving through time as different cultures and societies have shaped and reshaped their design and meaning.

Join Sullivan County History Museum curator Katiesha Killion as she takes a deep look at hats through history and their significance to our culture.

Admission is free to History Center members and OLLI Members. Adult admission is $7 and seniors $6.

Join Brendan Kearns for an informal and engaging discussion about our Wabash River. This presentation will focus on the rivers importance to our community and how it can be beneficial. Brendan will also discuss programs that are in place to protect our waters and how recent changes in legislation could impact them.

Events at the History Center are free for members (and OLLI members). Admission to attend is $7. Purchase tickets here.

Join us for the May Time Travelers!

This open house style event will give you an inside look into the iconic Sycamore Building in downtown Terre Haute.

Century 21 realtor Brandon Halleck serves as the leasing agent and has invited the Time Travelers for a look inside! We're most excited to (hopefully, weather permitting) get a bird's eye view of Terre Haute from the rooftop.

Admission to Time Travelers is free thanks to Brandon Halleck. Although, RSVPs are encouraged. Click here.

Join journalist Mark Bennett and retired photojournalist Jim Avelis as they recount their 2013 journey for the Tribune-Star to the towns and landmarks along the length of the Wabash River. From its origin in western Ohio to its confluence with the Ohio River in far southern Indiana. Their work resulted in the book “500 Miles of Wabash” and some great stories they are happy to share about their experience.

Vigo County Educational Heritage Association, A Hidden Treasure

With Sandy Billing and Glenda Hilton, Vigo County Educational Heritage Association

Come learn the 3 Rs of the Vigo County Educational Heritage Association: Reminisce, Research, and Reunion. The Vigo County Educational Heritage Association Museum has been around for 23 years, but is still a hidden treasure of Vigo County and features memorabilia of up to 200 schools in Vigo County. Come learn more about this hidden treasures history and how you can see the museum and use its resources.

Join the Vigo County History Center for a powerful performance!

Takumi Kato honorary director of Tokiwaza in Gifu Prefecture, Japan Performs - "Peaceful Forest".

Along with his family Takumi Kato's goal is performing taiko drumming 1,000 times across all 50 states in the U.S.

Since 2022 they have already performed 423 times in 28 states, using the sound of taiko to connect people, promote Japanese culture, and spread the importance of peace.

In 2008, he won the Grand Prix in the large drum category at the International Taiko Contest, and this experience fueled him to expand cultural exchange through taiko, with a heart full of gratitude. Starting in January 2025, Mr. Kato relocated from California to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to perform in more regions.

Takumi Kato is from Ena city, near Terre Haute's sister city, Tajimi Japan. Kato has practiced Taiko for 25 years and performed in Japan, at international events and for numerous dignitaries including the current and former Emperor of Japan,.

This event is FREE!

Meet Your Vigo County Sheriff’s Office with Derek Fell, Vigo County Sheriff

The Office of Sheriff is one of antiquity. It is the oldest law enforcement office known within the common-law system and it has always been accorded great dignity and high trust. Sheriff Fell believes community involvement is a vital piece to being a true community partner and will cover a variety of topics about the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office, from a brief history of the Sheriffs Office, daily operations, a few crime statistics, and offer an opportunity for questions. Come learn why Thomas Jefferson wrote in his The Value of Constitutions, "the Office of Sheriff is the most important of all the executive offices of the county."

Searching Our Soldiers Family History Workshop

Are you having difficulty finding your Revolutionary soldier, your soldier in the War of 1812 or one that served in the Civil War?

Ron Darrah, key-note speaker for the Searching Our Soldiers Family History Workshop will guide the participant through websites and sources that are invaluable in military research for three early wars: The Revolution, The War of 1812 and the Civil War.

Ron is a retired Tech Sergeant of the Air National Guard and is an experienced military historian, genealogist and a sought-after lecturer. He is a fellow of the Indiana Genealogical Society, served as officers and chairs of Society of Civil War Families, Territorial Guard Society, Sons of the American Revolution and Society of War of 1812 and has had more than forty years of genealogical research.

Lunch will be served in the Event Center and there will be multiple drawings for many great gifts!

Admission is free to members of VCHC and OLLI, Adults $7 and Seniors $6.

Sign up at the VCHC front desk or call 812-235-9717 to register.

Join Indiana Landmarks and the Vigo County History Center for a tour of the historic Terre Haute Brewing Company.

Admission to Time Travelers is FREE for members of Indiana Landmarks and/or the Vigo County History Center.

Tickets ($7) can be purchased here.

Experience the joy and dynamic power of music with the Freetown Village Singers!

Preserving African American traditions and culture through storytelling and song, the Freetown Village Singers present an interactive collection of traditional folk songs and Negro spirituals. Spirituals uplift in times of crisis, heal, comfort, inspire and instill hopes and dreams. With a mix of a Capella singing and storytelling, the Singers interpret the meanings of many songs sung during religious gatherings, work, and leisure time from over a hundred years ago. Listen and be moved by the Freetown Village Singers as they share this American traditional music and learn the often hidden meanings tucked into the words of the songs.

The movement to get all American women to the ballot box stretched from the mid-19th to the early 20th century. The 19th Amendment to the Constitution represented the efforts of thousands of women – and men - in most of the states and territories of the United States. Starting simply, with lectures, letters, and petitions a giant network grew to incorporate a huge collection of strategies to gain first the attention of the legislator and the voter and then to achieve equal status at the polls. New technologies were embraced over the decades, including telephones, motion pictures, and even the earliest airplanes.

Come along with Marsha, as she takes you on a 72-year journey through the woman suffrage movement’s tactics.

Admission is free to members of VCHC and OLLI, Adults $7 and Seniors $6.

Join the Vigo County History Center for this month's Time Travelers event at Allen Chapel AME Church!

Beginning in 1837, the congregation at Allen Chapel AME Church has resided in Terre Haute for nearly two hundred years. Rebuilt in 1913 after the 1870 church burned down, its location on the corner of 3rd and Crawford has stood as a gathering place and site of worship for many generations. Its Jacobethan Revival architecture and history with American figures like Hiram Rhoads Revels, the first Black senator, make Allen Chapel a must-visit for any history-loving Hautean. 

Come celebrate Black History Month with a tour of Allen Chapel AME Church on Tuesday, February 25th at 5:30 pm. We hope to see you there!

Admission is FREE for members of the Vigo County History Center. Admission for non-members can be purchased at the History Center or by clicking here.

Black History from A to Z: Local Stories Told Through Artifacts: PART I, (A-K)

Discover the history, culture, and legacy of Vigo County's Black Community through artifacts from the History Center's Collection as presented by local historian Dr. Crystal Reynolds and special guest presenters. Artifacts/objects will be available for viewing.

In addition to Dr. Reynolds, we have great panelists lined up including... Suzy Dunning, Angelina Li, Darius Watkins, Carlene Sakbun, an ISU student representing Pi Kappa Alpha, Sen. Greg Goode, Amy Lore,  Allison Fulsom and Peggy Joyner.