A thoughtful question and a generous contribution from a local donor, Jon Chapman of Winamac, turned board members’ thoughts in an unintended direction - toward Pulaski County’s Native American history. Because few artifacts are available to display, beyond a collection of arrowheads and a few tools, the Society sought another way to use this generosity and turn it into a new way to view history.

The original donation has been used as a match to gain additional funds. Through the generosity of Carroll White REMC and Fulton County REMC, when the county’s History Museum reopens next March, visitors will be introduced to Native American activity in and around Pulaski County, from pre-historic times through the mid-1800s.

Posters and pictures will bear QR codes to lead those with cell phones to informative web pages maintained by the Society. For those who prefer to use a larger screen, that same information will be available from two terminals at the museum.

In the meantime, Society members are in the process of conducting research, writing, and developing presentations for the online experience.

Historical Society vice president Kathi Thompson reports the organization is ”indebted to Carroll White REMC and Fulton County REMC, and of course, Jon Chapman,” who asked for a definitive answer to the question: for which Chief was the Town of Winamac named?

Readers might be surprised how many answers to that question could be true. (It’s more than two.) Stay tuned!

PCHS newsletter filled with local history

Local history buffs won’t want to miss the Pulaski County Historical Society’s monthly newsletter, available online at no charge. Visit: www.pulaskihistory.net/newsletters/

During the pandemic (and before), Historical Society board members and friends have been busy researching through books, old newspapers, memoirs and documents – writing and reprinting articles to share in the newsletters on a wide variety of topics.