93rd annual meeting and dinner a huge success

The Montgomery County Historical Society (MCHS) celebrated its 93rd anniversary on October 24 in the Donnelley Room at the Crawfordsville District Public Library with 100 members and guests present. The theme was “The Year 1856.”

An autumn buffet served by Joey’s Main Street Café followed an invocation given by MCHS Executive Director Tamara Hemmerlein. Board president, Donna McGrady, presided at the meeting. Minutes of the 2006 annual meeting were approved. Treasurer Mike Reidy’s report included the announcement of a gift from the estate of Nellie Dodd. His report was accepted for the record.

Vice President Kurt Homann recognized board members that were present. Current board members are Don Avery, Mike Barton, Janice Clauser, Kurt Homann, Don Hunt, Ruth Johnson, Sandy Lofland, Dian Moore, Ernie Patrick, Mike Reidy, Bob Smith, Chuck Sommer, and Don Sperry. Retiring board members Bob Burgess, Don Fine, Donna McGrady, and Max Servies were recognized with mementos of their fine service. Kimberly Hancock (right) presented McGrady with a plaque, honoring her leadership as president in creating a strategic plan for the Society.

Sommer, chairman of nominations, offered the names of Kurt Homann, Ruth Johnson, and Mike Reidy for four-year terms of board membership. After offering nominations from the floor, these members were duly elected.

The Society was honored to present awards to the Genealogy Club of Montgomery County and the Crawfordsville District Public Library. The Genealogy Club of Montgomery County was given the Herr-Tannenbaum Award for Preservation to recognize their care and cleaning efforts in the O’Neall Cemetery located in Ripley Township. The award was accepted by Kimberly Hancock, club vice president, who is in charge of cemetery preservation.

McGrady presented the Crawfordsville District Public Library with the Michael D. Hall Award for Restoration, recognizing its inspiration and years of effort in remodeling the 1902 Carnegie Library for use as the Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County. Larry Hathaway, library director, accepted the award, given to an individual or group whose efforts at accurate restoration of a structure or site has preserved a significant feature in the heritage of local Montgomery County history.

The Herr-Tannenbaum Award for Preservation is given to an individual or group who has saved a dwelling, public building, business structure, or local site of historical or architectural significance, from demolition, destruction or loss from neglect, thus preserving a noteworthy piece of local and county history.

Dennis Beach and Clayton Peters, the Balhinch Bunch, played stringed instrument arrangements of authentic songs from the 1856 - Civil War era. Several in the audience recognized the tunes and the music set the tone for the program.

The program was devoted to Dorothy Darnall Jones’ presentation of the life of Julia Todd Helm, a sister of Mary Todd Lincoln. Jones spent a year researching Helm’s connection to Indiana. Jones presently lives in Madison but Crawfordsville is her hometown and she was welcomed by all who knew her. Jones’ energy as a volunteer researcher enhanced our knowledge of Indiana history.

McGrady acknowledged the excellent work of the Lane Place staff: Tamara Hemmerlein, director; Shaun Chandler Lighty, assistant director; and Ann Harvey, docent.