Indiana Celebrates America 250

This is a second call-out to persons who (I hope) might be interested in promoting the nation's semiquincentennial (around the country, people are shortening this to "semi-q") in 2026. While we would like to gather a core group, there will not be a need to start meeting until later this year.

At a meeting led by the Indiana Historical Society, we did some brainstorming about the types of activities and the audiences we would like to reach. "We," being a collective of organizations that are starting their own local initiatives across northern Indiana. A few of those ideas are listed here.

• As you know, Indiana was not a state 250 years ago. At that time, our lands were home to many Native American tribes. Suggestions were made not only to celebrate Indiana's statehood, but to commemorate those who lived here before and were removed - harshly - from our lands. How can we commemorate the truth and the loss of these peoples from this land?
• How were the Native American tribes living in this area involved in the early wars, the French & Indian War and the Revolutionary War? With whom did they collaborate? Did their allegiances shift from one war to the other?
• Can we track the immigration of white settlers from the east to Indiana? What were the reasons for the immigration?
• Can we involve 4th grade history students with hands-on projects (i.e., the conestoga wagon teaching tool - what would you pack, what would you leave behind). I found options to either check out for a 3-week period or purchase these kits.
• What history projects can include high school youth or younger children?
• July 4, 1776, is the recognized birthdate of the country. The period of engagement was from 1775 - 1783 (treaty ratified 1784). Territories and states were added through 1959. We can reasonably celebrate decades of history.
• Indiana joined the Union in 1816; Pulaski County was formed in 1839. This was the year of the Trail of Death, and the final ouster of Native Americans from our soil. There is much history to be both celebrated and commemorated in this period of time.
• Can we celebrate Pulaski County's agricultural heritage?
• Can we celebrate the "founding fathers" of our county? Why did they choose this area? How did they arrive?
• Can we celebrate the towns, villages and settlements, both those still here and those that are just a memory?
• Can we celebrate a look forward as well as a look back? Perhaps, much like the 4th grade conestoga wagon exercise, an exercise that allows us to consider what we should pack, what we should leave behind.
• Can we find a way to get a mural - or more than one, around the county - to celebrate the semi-q?
• Can we work in a celebration of our county's namesake, Casimir Pulaski, a celebrated Revolutionary War hero?
• Can we celebrate the history of the groups and organizations that make history? Veterans and current military, service clubs, social clubs, churches, schools, not-for-profit services, manufacturing, the growth of agribusiness?
• How do we engage as much of the community - the communities that make up Pulaski County - as possible?

The sky is the limit. With the diverse minds and talents of our citizens, we can fashion as many events or marketing pieces - or as few - as we desire. The time we have to celebrate this auspicious anniversary is ... well, there is no limit. From now to whenever.

Please let me know if you want to serve or appoint someone from your group to serve. You will see on the list below the persons who have already said yes. Word to the wise, if I don't year a "no" from you, your name will remain on the list! HA!

And have the best of days!

Kathi

Kathi Thompson, Pulaski County Historical Society

kathit@pwrtc.com / 574-270-0128

Indiana's America 250 Committee Website: https://www.in.gov/usa250/

Pulaski County Celebrates America 250: Link to Facebook

Invitation List

Please Let Me Know If Someone Else Should Be Included

Persons in red have agreed to serve.