Just in time for Indiana’s Bicentennial, the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) and the Indiana Historical Bureau are pleased to announce the reappointment of two local county historians. Jeremy Elliott of Washington County and Thelma Hogue of Scott County will each serve another three-year term.
The role of county historian is one to which both are well suited. Elliott is currently at the John Hay Center, where he recently established the Washington County Junior Historical Society.
He is also the activities director of the 141st Old Settlers’ Days festival, which is part of this year’s Bicentennial celebration.
Elliott says he was born and raised in Washington County, where his maternal family has lived since 1807.
“My fifth great-aunt named the county seat, and I have 40 direct ancestors buried in our county, so my roots run deep here, ” said Elliott. “I’ve always been a history lover, particularly American Indian and military, but my family connections to early Indiana have most of my focus on the pioneer era.”
Hogue also has a personal connection to the area. She has researched her ancestry back to the Kimberlins, the first family in Scott County, and is working on a book about their experiences during the Civil War.
In addition, Hogue is a member of the Scott County Heritage Center and Museum, the Scott County Genealogical Society, the Lexington Historical Society, and the Scott County Historical Society.
Hogue and Elliott are among 92 men and women lending their talents to the County Historian Program, which was established in 1981. A directory of all local county historians is available online at www.indianahistory.org.
For more information about his program and other IHS resources, call (317) 232-1882.
About the Indiana Historical Society
Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Society has been Indiana’s Storyteller, connecting people to the past by collecting, preserving, interpreting and sharing the state’s history. A private, nonprofit membership organization and Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, IHS maintains the nation’s premier research library and archives on the history of Indiana and the Old Northwest and presents a unique set of visitor exhibitions called the Indiana Experience. IHS provides support and assistance to local museums and historical groups, publishes books and periodicals; sponsors teacher workshops; produces and hosts art exhibitions, museum theater and outside performance groups; and provides youth, adult and family programming. Normal operating hours for the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
