THE MUSEUM of MADISON COUNTY HISTORY
......To the Madison County Historical Society. MCHS was organized in 1884 and incorporated in 1926. From these humble and early beginnings, the Society has continued through the years with vigor, energy, and dedication on its mission to collect and preserve objects, artifacts, documents, and photographs pertaining to the history of Madison County, Indiana. Through research, education, and exhibition, we seek to interpret and prompt an awareness and appreciation for that history for the benefit of all generations.
At our home in downtown Anderson, there is a lasting record of a way of life preserved for all to see, treasure and enjoy. We welcome all who are interested in exploring our rich culture and social history. The earliest pioneers, seeking new homes and better farm land, came here when there were only Indian trails and buffalo tracks. They settled along the White River and small creeks in Madison County, encountering the Indians, clearing the timber and stayed because of the richness of the soil and the promise of prosperity.
Indiana was the cross roads to lands further west and many did pass through; however, those who remained, built homes, farms, businesses, churches, and communities. Our early history is interwoven with that of the Delaware Indians and those early pioneers who came to a new land. Their lives and courage should give us pause and inspiration to continue with the work we have set for ourselves and the Society.
MUSEUM OF MADISON COUNTY HISTORY
PLANNED ACTIVITIES
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS.
For any questions, please call the office at 765-683-0052.
September 10 -- 10:30 a. m. -- "Presenting the Presidents of the USA -- Part One" -- presented by Stephen T. Jackson.
September 16 -- Civil War Roundtable -- 7 p.m. @ The Museum -- presented by Steve Ritchie.
October 1 -- Tuesday -- 6 p.m. -- Frankton Community Library History Series -- "Our First Ladies -- Part Two" -- presented by Stephen T. Jackson.
October 6 -- 1st Sunday -- 2 p.m. -- at The Museum -- "The Central and Hydraulic Canals" -- presented by Stephen T. Jackson.
October 8 -- Tuesday -- 10:30 a.m. -- Anderson Public Library History Series -- "Presenting the Presidents of the USA--Part Two" -- presented by Stephen T. Jackson.
October 27 -- Sunday -- 2 p.m. -- Society Meeting -- at The Museum -- "History of the Renovation of the Paramount Theater -- presented by Jim Agrahams.
November 3 -- 1st Sunday -- 2 p.m. -- at The Museum -- "The Mills & of Gypsies, Vesuvius, Elephants and Buffalo Bill" -- presented by Stephen T. Jackson.
November 5 -- Tuesday -- 6 p.m. -- Frankton Community Library History Series -- "World War One in Madison County" -- presented by Stephen T. Jackson.
November 12 -- Tuesday -- 10:30 a.m. -- Anderson Public Library History Series -- "The Birth of Mounds State Park" -- presented by Stephen T. Jackson.
November 18 -- Monday -- 7 p.m. -- Civil War Roundtable -- at The Museum -- Speaker will be Gerald Jones.
November 24 -- Sunday -- 2 p.m. -- Society Meeting -- at The Museum -- E. H. Phillips Award -- Speaker will be Stephen T. Jackson on "History of Anderson's 8th Street".
December 3 -- Tuesday -- 6 p.m. -- Frankton Community Library History Series -- "Of gypsies, Vesuvius, Elephants and Buffalo Bill" presented by Stephen T. Jackson.
Please note: For those of you who would like the full year of events and activities, please go to our calendar page. You can scroll through the yearly months for the presentations and their dates.
Join Kevin Yaney for a walking tour of historic West Maplewood Cemetery in Anderson, Indiana.
Hear about the Hoosier state's involvement in the war and learn about some of the Madison County residents who took up arms to preserve the Union.
The event is part of the Spring and Summer Civil War Veterans Walking Tour.
This event is FREE; however, you are requested to register. Thank you!
REGISTER: https://fourthofjulybook.com/west-maplewood-cemetery-walking-tour/
SPECIAL NOTE:
WEST MAPLEWOOD CEMETERY WALKING TOUR
July 20, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
at
West Maplewood Cemetery
"VISITING DAY at the MUSEUM"
ANY MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND FRIDAY DURING 2024
from
9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.
at the Museum of Madison County History
Operated by the Madison County Historical Society located on the corner of Meridian and 11th Street, Anderson, Indiana
The MMCH is one of the largest buildings in Anderson: 3 floors and 23,000 square feet. Inside, everywhere you look is a story on Madison County's people, places, things, and events.
11 & 15 West 11th Street, Anderson, Indiana
Gas Boom
100+ Years of Auto Manufacturing
Madison County Authors
Madison County Area Churches
Local African American History
Madison County Businesses
Topics of Study and Research
Civil War Heroes
Veterans' Hall of Honor
Hoosier Homesteads
Native Americans
Made in Madison County
Prehistory & Pioneers
Athletes & Artists
Model Railroads
Dollhouses
School Daze
General Motors
Madison County Authors
School Yearbooks
Genealogy & Your Family Tree
COME and EXPLORE YOUR COUNTY HISTORY.
There is no fee involved. All events and activities are FREE of charge!!!
Donations accepted.
Please be advised that the Madison County Historical Society Civil War Roundtable will not meet during the winter months.
The group will resume meetings at 7 p.m. at the Museum on March 18, 2024.
For more information, please call(765-683-0052) the office between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays. You may ask for Gerald Jones.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. See you in March.
MADE IN MADISON COUNTY EXHIBIT
15 West 11th Street, Anderson, Indiana
Open M-W-F, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
765-683-0052
Irish Mail, a child's toy
MANUFACTURED in Anderson, Indiana
The Titanic Players
Lambert Cars Were Tested for Reliability
With assembly complete, the cars would be driven out of the plant west on 19th street to a lot west of what is today 809 E. 19th, south across the lot to the alley, and then east along the alley to the lot east of 809.
Turning into the lot, the drivers would run the cars up a wooden incline extending east and west near the alley. The trestle structure was built of a braced framework of timbers with inclines at each end fitted with cleats. At the north end of the lot was a small round track where the cars were driven, sometimes pulling weights, in the second of three tests. That site is now the west end of 1915 McKinley Street. Both former test sites are now fully developed, and no evidence of their previous use remains. However, across 19th Street is a different story.
Visible from above is a faint outline of another, much larger, flat test track that would have been directly west of the Buckeye plant. Most likely, it was here that the automobiles were put through their final driving tests before distribution. An old film reveals another test that was conducted to check the performance of the friction drive during what were common traveling conditions in rural 1915 -- river and creek fords and crossings.
Cars can be seen, in the film, descending a hill and approaching a stream on a dirt road, driving through the stream, stopping momentarily and then proceeding onward. The film also shows a car being driven into a river, turning around and heading back to shore. The landscape conditions in the first scene are not familiar enough to identify where they were conducted. However, the river scene reveals a clue as to its location.
Lambert 1909 Model A1
The Buckeye Manufacturing plant was at 19th and Columbus Avenue. Not far from Irondale, a neighborhood on Anderson's east side nestled into the low ground on the left bank of White River.
In 1915, and as it still does today, the Pittsford Ditch empties into White River, draining the higher elevations to the south. The ground is low there, and the riverbank is not steep, much like the scene in the film.
If Buckeye did test some cars by driving them to the river, this spot is near the plant and has the same general appearance today. Buckeye Manufacturing did not have to go far to find creeks, hills and steep grades to prove the capabilities of its vehicles.
With the outbreak of World War I, Buckeye Manufacturing ceased operations, and the Lambert passed into history.
John W. Lambert remained in Anderson until his death on May 20, 1952 at the age of 92. He buried in Anderson's Maplewood Cemetery.
During his life, he held about 600 patents. His business on Columbus Avenue and his at Seventh and Hendricks Streets both display historical markers, one set of only two dual historical-related designations of its kind in Madison County.
Stephen T. Jackson, Madison County Historian
Elwood H. Phillips Memorial Award
The Madison County Historical Society annually honors a person or organization who is deemed by the Board of Trustees to have made noteworthy contributions to the cause of preserving the heritage of Madison County, Indiana.
PAST RECIPIENTS
1986 Eugene R. Bock*
1987 Raymond M. Davis*
1988 Ruth Dane*
1989 Howard Eldon*
1990 Haroldyne Zook*
1991 Esther Dittlinger*
1992 Helen Harvey Baumer*
1993 David Bucove*
1994 Maude Ward*
1995 Georgia Lyons*
1996 Phyllis Leedom*
1997 Lillie Givens Manuel*
1998 Dr. Jack Nicholson*
1999 Stephen Jackson
2000 Ray Wood*
2001 Gloria Lamper*
2002 Linda Hummel Shelton
2003 Gerald Jones
2004 Richard Bowman*
2004 Marilyn Moneyhun*
2004 Dr. James Moneyhun*
2005 Max Howard
2006 Robert B. Quinn*
2007 Milton C. Otto
2008 Donald Hunt
2009 Suzetta Chambers
2010 Nancy Draper
2011 Roger Hensley
2012 Carolyn DeLawter Shettle
2013 William Upperman*
2014 Theodore Vinson*
2014 G. Eugene Yates*
2015 William Knepp
2016 Terry King
2016 Jim Jackson*
2017 Pendleton Hist. Museum
2018 Lucretia S. Lawler*
2019 Bob Post
2020 Award Postponed
2021 Jay Brown
(*deceased)
VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME
The Museum of Madison County History is a place that you can definitely use most and/or all your skill set. We love to welcome volunteers to our Museum and its many and varied departments and projects. There really is no job that is too small, too large or too mundane. If you have a couple of hours a week, you may want to spend that time with us. Please consider coming in to speak to someone about volunteering. We are conveniently located in downtown Anderson on the corner of Meridian and 11th Street. Please visit on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or call for more information at (765) 683-0052.
1914 Station at Anderson, Indiana
Interurban
Engine H6a6344
Train and Dollhouse Exhibits Open
The Model Train and Dollhouse Exhibits are open for everyone. Please ask your guide to see them. You, your family and friends are invited to stop by the Museum on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to visit these exhibits. The Museum is located at 15 West 11th Street, Anderson, Indiana.
Please note that this year's "Christmas" model train and the Dollhouse exhibits will be CLOSED during the Christmas holidays from December 15, 2023 and will open again on January 3, 2024. Thank you for your support and visiting us during this time of the year. From our Family to your Family, Merry Christmas and a Happy, Happy New Year!
The Museum In The Classroom
by Stephen Jackson, County Historian
Anna Epperly, Assistant Professor of Education, Anderson University wrote in an email the following:
"I am currently supervising thirteen EDUC 4120 and EDUC 4710 students in their senior classroom management courses. With Covid-19 restrictions in local schools regarding visitors and volunteers, we had to think creatively in terms of providing our AU students with authentic access to mentor teachers and "real, live students" this semester. As a volunteer at the Museum of Madison County History, operated by the Madison County Historical Society(MCHS), I was able to seek and receive approval from MCHS for AU students to virtually instruct Frankton 4th, 5th, and 8th grade students from temporary "broadcast studios" within the museum. AU students are currently teaching live lessons virtually, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, using various museum exhibits and artifacts. This partnership has required much collaboration among AU students and faculty, local historians, and Frankton classroom teachers and administrators, providing multiple benefits to all concerned."
During a recent Zoom meeting of Indiana County Historians, Indiana Historical Society, and Indiana Historical Bureau staff, I shared this joint project of how a successful collaboration between the two Anderson, Indiana, educational organization/institutions has overcome the Covid crisis negativity by creating a positive that benefits our local schools. Needless to say, it was greeted with much enthusiasm and with discussion to expand to other counties with institutions of higher learning.
Other dates and events
Bicentennial Exhibits at Museum
The Museum of Madison County History has newly installed exhibits specifically relating to the county's bicentennial. Exhibits include "Made in Madison County," "Pioneers and Prehistory," "Veterans Hall of Honor," and "Arena of Champions."
Exhibits are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
MCHS RAISES MEMBERSHIP DUES
The Madison County Historical Society, due to increased expenses, has decided to raise the membership dues for the Society. The majority of the dues have been held at its present level for about 13 years. Beginning immediately, single membership dues will be $25.00 and family memberships will be $40.00. Please be aware that membership dues will be due in December and January for the year 2021. For those who wish to mail your dues to us, please go to our membership page. Thank you so much for your cooperation and understanding as we go forward into the new year. If you have any questions and/or comments, please call the office at 765-683-0052.
LOCAL HISTORIAN CONTINUES WRITING ABOUT HISTORY
Stephen T. Jackson, Madison County Historian, has embarked upon a new history series that will be published occasionally in the Herald Bulletin and in the Madison magazine. Please be looking for these articles about our county.
Also, please note that Steve has written another county history book, titled "Historic Places in a County Called Madison". The coffee table book is available for purchase at The Herald Bulletin.
For Steve, he is in his element when asked a question and when giving one of his special speeches about the county's history. If you have a chance to be present at one of these events, take it and enjoy the time spent learning new things about the county. You will not be disappointed.
Everyone anywhere can join our Society. Join us today.
Looking for an ancestor in Madison County? Let us help.
Sign up for our eNewsletter here and keep up-to-date with all of our activities.
Have a special talent or interested in a project? Come volunteer with us.
Madison County Historical Society
The Madison County Historical Society is an all volunteer organization. Our goal is to preserve the history of our rich heritage through the use of exhibits, speaking engagements, tours of interesting and educational destinations, cataloging artifacts, and providing a safe place for historical items and documents.
Contact Us: 15 West 11th Street, P. O. Box 696, Anderson, Indiana 46015-0696, madisonchs10@gmail.com, Office: 765-683-0052
Open Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 9 am to 3:30 pm. Exhibit Hours: 10 am to 3:00 pm
