Hamilton County and Noblesville, Indiana both celebrated their 200th birthday in 2023. 2023 Hamilton County Bicentennial January - December, 2023 · 9 Townships · Hamilton County, Indiana View 2023 Gallery Watch Podcast Bicentennial Blog Bicentennial Commission Kathy Williams, Co-Chair Kent Ward, Co-Chair David Heighway, Hamilton County Historian, ex-officio Ron Stone, Adams Township Deborah Gangstad, Clay Township Rick Fain, Delaware Township Suzanna Hobson, Fall Creek Township Nicole Duncan, Jackson Township Dottie Young, Noblesville Township Danielle Tolan, Washington Township Diane Nevitt, Wayne Township Jamie Rulon, White River Township Jessica Petty, Bicentennial Coordinator Guiding Principles The Bicentennial celebration was created with these guiding principles in mind: We plan to celebrate … all 200 years of Hamilton County history (and beyond) in a complete, accurate way. We will reflect … on our past, celebrate our present, and build towards the future to make Hamilton County a better place for all people to live. We aim to represent … many different perspectives and raise all voices in celebration, not just the most visible ones. We strive to collaborate … and advocate for community through programming, publications, and promotion of our Bicentennial themes. Hamilton County Bicentennial January 2024 Final Report Celebrating Hamilton County, Indiana: 200 Years of Change Our book is available for purchase on Amazon, the publisher’s website, and several locations throughout Hamilton County. We have sold (at least) 695 books out of a 1,000 book print run - so get them while you can! Budget: We distributed $58,000 in grants to 29 organizations and representatives from all nine townships for almost 50 programs. We paid the Bicentennial Coordinator, three communications contract workers, a photographer and videographer, and three content developers. Our merchandise provider MarketPro allowed us to only pay for merchandise that did not sell before the end of 2023 Communications: Our website, hamcoturns200.com, included a biweekly blog, a monthly email newsletter, and served as the clearinghouse for public information on the Bicentennial. In addition to advertising online and in print publications, this team sent press releases, designed and developed merchandise with local partner MarketPro, designed a print calendar, created special video promotions for social media, as well as designed several aspects of the book. Traveling Exhibit: Funded by the Hamilton County Community Foundation, it covered all 5 themes and traveled over 35 weeks to almost 30 locations throughout the county, including schools, libraries, businesses, etc. It will continue to be used by the Hamilton County Historical Society. Event Management: This team planned our opening ceremony in January of 2023, as well as our closing event, the Bicentennial Bash in December. The opening, at The Palladium in Carmel, had around 600 attendees and the Bash at Ivy Tech in Noblesville had around 360. Both showcased the entire county. Our grant-funded programs had a total of approximately 15,250 attendees. High School Ambassador Program: Funded by County Commissioners individually, 11 students from almost every high school in the county attended programs led by community leaders as well as Bicentennial events. They engaged in approximately 60 hours of activities. Transportation Marker Program: In development as a legacy project, the Hamilton County Historical Society will take the foundation of this idea and bring it to fruition. Lost transportation routes like canals, stagecoach stops, interurban stops, etc, will be memorialized with permanent signage. Photographer/Videographer: We contracted with Daniel Grose Photography and Adam Grubb Media to create a permanent record of the Bicentennial.

Drone Fly - Through Drone's Eye View of the Museum Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Recently we had the honor of Matthew Doudt offering to 'fly through' our museum with his drone. The resulting clip is amazing, and a great showcase of our museum. Matthew Doudt Photography https://matthewdphotography.com/ Noblesville, Indiana Hello! We're Matt & Jen, a husband/wife team. We’ve worked hard to develop a style of shooting and editing pictures that is attractive and desired in today’s market place. We are constantly growing. Please feel free to ask us to try something new. We love the challenge!

The Kitchen This kitchen was not only the heart of the home, but also of the jail. The sheriff had a small staff, some of them were only part time. The sheriff depended on his family to help with the jail house's duties. The sheriff’s wife was a staff member and received a stipend. She had to prepare meals for the inmates and her family. If there were women or children in the jail; she was also the matron for them. The sheriff’s children helped when they were needed. Children had chores to do, including cleaning and upkeep of the yard. The children were expected to help in the kitchen. Early days required that there always be firewood in the kitchen so that they could have a good hot stove to cook their meals on. The children were called upon to deliver trays at mealtimes. The prisoners were served three meals a day. Breakfast was usually simple and consisted of a biscuit, an egg, usually boiled and some coffee. Lunch was also a simple meal, and they had a sandwich, soup, and bread. Lunch varied depending on the seasons, what was available, and sometimes what community members and businesses in the area had and shared with the jail. More than once, a prisoner said that he loved the cooking and the meals that he had here at the jail. Depending on whether ‘Dad’ was home for the meal, decided on where they ate. If he was away from home, they would eat here in the kitchen. If they were lucky to have Dad home for a meal, then that would sit at the dining room table. Family members of the sheriff who have been interviewed, told us that at holidays, sometimes a long table was set up in the Foyer. They played wiffle ball outside, had pets, and the courthouse square was their playground. There was a swing in the tree outside the west porch. The sheriff’s children were allowed to have friends sleep over. The attic was a favorite place to pla y, as well as the downtown square. The Majestic Manufacturing Company, sometimes called the Majestic Stove Company, produced about two million ranges between the 1880s and the 1940s and was one of the ten largest stove producers in the United States prior to World War II. Many of their ranges are still in use today, and they are very commonly found in stove restoration shops. We have a majestic stove here at the museum. Source: https://stoves.com/2011/10/great-majestic-cook-stove/#:~:text=The%20Majestic%20Stove%20Company%20produced,prior%20to%20World%20War%20II. McDougall was one of the early manufacturers of a Hoosier cabinet. An advertisement from 1919 identified the McDougall as "the first kitchen cabinet". George McDougall began the McDougall Company in Indianapolis, Indiana, sometime after the Civil War. The company's products were pie safes and kitchen tables. H oosier cabinets were more than just a cabinet; they were a must-have in most homes. The cabinets not only stored kitchen staples like flour and sugar, they also held workable utensils inside. Most Hoosier cabinets housed flour sifters, Lazy Susan's for spices, bread boxes, and even meat grinders. The typical Hoosier cabinet had a large base, sometimes on casters, with a pull-out work surface and several drawers. The top was narrower and had several cabinets and drawers and usually one compartment had a roll-top or tambour. Most were made of oak or other solid wood. The Hoosier cabinet began to decline in popularity after World War II when more modern appliances began to emerge. Source:https://www.americanantiquities.com/Journal%20Articles/who%20made%20it.html#:~:text=McDougall%20was%20one%20of%20the,pie%20safes%20and%20kitchen%20tables. The hand pump may seem like an antique to us, but the sheriff and his family were thankful to have “running water” in their home. Before the luxury of the indoor pump, they had to bring their water in from the outside well. Hand pumps are one of the most ancient water-lifting devices that have been used for thousands of years. In recent centuries, these devices were often installed over community water wells in the days before piped water supplies. During the Industrial Revolution (1760 – 1840), hand pumps became a common sight in Europe and North America. They were used for a variety of applications, including pumping water from wells, cisterns, and water tanks. A hand pump works by creating a vacuum that draws water up from a well or other water source, such as a borehole. The pump has a piston or plunger that moves up and down inside a cylinder, creating suction that draws water up through a valve at the bottom of the cylinder. As the plunger is lifted, water is drawn into the cylinder through a one-way valve at the bottom, and when the plunger is pushed back down, the water is forced out through a spout or outlet. This process is repeated until enough water has been drawn up or the desired pressure has been achieved. Source: https://www.aymcdonald.com/en/news/2023/May/get-a-handle-on-the-history-of-hand-pumps--304#:~:text=Hand%20pumps%20are%20one%20of,days%20before%20piped%20water%20supplies. Antique iceboxes , in principle, work similarly to the modern refrigerator. Simple, yet practical. Given the limitations of the 19th century, the icebox got the job done. The icebox itself was hollow and lined with zinc or tin. This lining kept the internal temperature cooler longer. An ice block was placed in the top compartment near food that needed to stay cold. The ice would typically last about two days with the exception of the hot summer months. The design of the icebox and the humidity circulated the cold air in the device. Source: https://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2019/03/icebox-exploring-states-of-matter-using-historic-photographs/ This is the first CROCK POT A piece of home cooking history! The Ideal Cooker by The Toledo Cooker Co. was an early version of today’s crock pot or slow cooker. The spacious metal lined well within the wooden housing was designed as a new style of cooking, advertised as economical in fuel saving and in keeping the kitchen cool in warm months. The lid has a supporting hinge and securing latch. Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/846324954994313974/ THE TOLEDO COOKER CO. Ideal Cooker History of our braided rug - with a tuxedo woven in ! Our braid rug history – with a tuxedo woven into it. Braided rugs can be traced back to the 1700’s. They started as all things did back then, of necessity. We wanted to cover our bare wood floors. Wooden floors were not smooth like they are now. Straw mats were first used. Wool was preferred over straw mats as they were more durable and prettier. Hand braided rugs continue to be a favorite with many, even today. Noblesville native Denzel Hufford loved many things, besides her main love of gardening, Mrs. Hufford also caned chairs and braided wool rugs. She was a longtime member of the Huckeepudler Rug Hooking Association. We are fortunate to have one of her rugs donated to us at the Historic Sheriff’s residence and jail on the square in downtown Noblesville. Most of everything that Denzel was involved in she always threw in a little bit of fun with it. Our kitchen rug is no different. Denzel was married to Marvin ‘Red’ Hufford, who was a very well-known big band leader in the 30’s and 40’s in Indiana and surrounding states. Denzel used some of Red Hufford’s tuxedo’s that he wore as a band leader to make the rug that we have in the kitchen of the sheriff’s residence. All the black fabric is from his tuxedo’s. Recently at the historic sheriff’s residence and jail we took some time to repair the rug in the kitchen. Board members, Nancy Massey, Janet Phillips, and Sandra Lynch. During our ‘sewing bee’ we began to wonder about the history of this rug, and we wanted to share that story.

Victorian Era Bedroom Set to approximately 1890 The Victorian age saw the end of the rope bed, and beds were now supported by wooden slats. Coil springs came about in 1865. Beds were made from metal or wood. They were usually high off the ground, due to cold drafts that were near the floor area. Beds were smaller then, not due to height or the myth that people slept sitting up, it just how they were made. Furniture changes over time as people’s taste changes. Reference: https://blogs.libraries.indiana.edu/wyliehouse/2018/01/18/sleep-tight-dont-let-the-bed-bugs-bite-a-myth-debunked/ This spinning wheel is an example of an early nineteenth century “walking wheel” made specifically for spinning wool.  The role of the spinning wheel in early homes is a big part of an often told story of the American past. When we see a spinning wheel, it raises images of a time when the country was young and life was very different from today. Most of us can imagine an image of a woman in an old-fashioned dress sitting by a cozy fire with her spinning wheel, spinning the yarn for her family’s clothes. Reference: https://huntington.org/educators/learning-resources/spotlight/object-story-spinning-wheel White Sewing Machines From the late 1800s until the 1950s, White machines were a common sight in countless homes across the US, particularly in the South. In 1858, Thomas White created the very first White models, which are still in use today. The young inventor, who was just twenty-two years old, found himself forced to sell his creations one by one in order to get the components necessary to build another! In a very short time, this enthusiastic young entrepreneur established the White Sewing Machine Company. Sears Roebuck & Co. and the firm created a partnership in the 1920s that led to the company being their only sewing machine manufacturer. Reference: https://cottonandcloud.com/white-sewing-machine/

Researching your home's history. Investigating the history of your home. The first place to start would be at the local library - Hamilton East Public Library. Visit the Crossroads Discovery Center [formerly the Indiana Room] Also helpful is to visit the Library of Congress site and look at their collection of Sanborn fire maps. About this Collection at the Library of Congress: The Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps Online Checklist provides a searchable database of the fire insurance maps published by the Sanborn Map Company housed in the collections of the Geography and Map Division. The online checklist is based upon the Library's 1981 publication Fire Insurance Maps in the Library of Congress and will be continually updated to reflect new acquisitions. Fire Insurance Maps in the Library of Congress. 1981 The Sanborn maps are arranged by state, then city and release data. The online checklist also contains links to existing digital images from our collection and will be updated as new images are added. Sanborn Keys & Colors Fire insurance maps are distinctive because of the sophisticated set of symbols that allows complex information to be conveyed clearly. In working with insurance maps, it is important to remember that they were made for a very specific use, and that although they are now valuable for a variety of purposes, the insurance industry dictated the selection of information to be mapped and the way that information was portrayed. Knowledge of the keys and colors is essential to proper interpretation of the information found in fire insurance maps. Baist Atlases, also produced for fire insurance purposes, include similar maps drawn on a smaller scale. Consult a local library or the Indiana State Library for original or microfilm copies. Check Indiana Memory for digitized maps. If there has already been research on your home in the past, it may be helpful to visit Indiana DNR SHAARD site. Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD) and Indiana Historic Buildings, Bridges, and Cemeteries (IHBBC) Map Visit Indiana Landmarks site for more assistance. HISTORIC HOMES FAQ & DIY Consulting City Directories City directories are an easy source to consult for the names of a home’s occupants (as opposed to owners), as well as approximate construction dates. These directories typically also give the principal resident’s occupation. Published for cities of various sizes, the directories were inaugurated in some towns as early as 1855. If you have completed a chain of title, compare the names on the title to the city directories. From 1914 forward, most Indiana city directories contain an index by street address as well as occupant’s name. If you don’t know the names, research in pre-1914 directories becomes a tedious hunt through column after column of names as you search for your address. However, online, digitized versions can save you time if they allow you to search for names and addresses. Examining Census Data Beginning in 1850, census records include the names and number of people living in a house. In addition to revealing where inhabitants were born, their race, sex, age, and marital status, later records sometimes tell their occupations. Your local library or historical society may have census records, and many are available online free of charge or through subscription services such as Ancestry.com. The Genealogy Division of the Indiana State Library has several helpful links related to census records including a list of those available online. This file contains many helpful links: PDF From Hamilton East Public library Local help may be found at the: Noblesville Library - Discovery Center Noblesville Preservation Alliance [there may be an option for paid research] An appointment may be necessary How to list your home or property as a Historic Property The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources. The National Register nomination process usually starts with your state historic site. Indiana DNR Historic Preservation Application forms for Historic Site in Indiana How are Properties Evaluated? To be considered eligible, a property must meet the National Register Criteria for Evaluation . This involves examining the property’s age, significance, and integrity. Age and Integrity: Is the property old enough to be considered historic (generally at least 50 years old) and does it still look much the way it did in the past? Significance: Is the property associated with events, activities, or developments that were important in the past? With the lives of people who were important in the past? With significant architectural history, landscape history, or engineering achievements? Does it have the potential to yield information through archeological investigation about our past? National Register Listing Process Nominations can be submitted to your SHPO from property owners, historical societies, preservation organizations, governmental agencies, and other individuals or groups. Official National Register Nomination Forms are downloadable or from your State Historic Preservation Office. National Register Bulletins can also provide guidance on how to document and evaluate certain types of properties. Sample Nominations provide additional useful information. The SHPO notifies affected property owners and local governments and solicits public comment. If the owner (or a majority of owners for a district nomination) objects, the property cannot be listed but may be forwarded to the National Park Service for a Determination of Eligibility (DOE). Proposed nominations are reviewed by your state’s historic preservation office and the state’s National Register Review Board. The length of the state process varies but will take a minimum of 90 days. Complete nominations, with certifying recommendations, are submitted by the state to the National Park Service in Washington, D.C. for final review and listing by the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park Service makes a listing decision within 45 days. Local Help - Noblesville Preservation Alliance An appointment may be necessary to meet with them.

FACTS What You Need to Know IS IT FREE? We are a donation-based organization, so we do not have an admission fee. IS THIS APPROPRIATE FOR KIDS? We have kids come in all the time! The exhibits and jail cells are appropriate for children. Some graffiti in the juvenile cell block is graphic, however, it has been blocked from view. IS THIS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE? WHAT WILL I SEE HERE? The first floor of the museum is wheelchair/stroller accessible, with a ramp at the side door into the kitchen. However, the upper floors of jail cells and house are only accessible by stairs. We have so much to offer for all ages and all interests! Our building was the Sheriff's Residence and Jail for Hamilton County from 1876 to 1977. Check out our "Our History" page to see more details. PARKING Parking is free around the square with a three hour time limit during the week - Monday through Friday. If you will be in town for longer than three hours, we suggest you park in the Levinson parking garage, just one block south of our museum. Four hour free parking in there. https://www.cityofnoblesville.org/department/division.php?structureid=294 WHAT KINDS OF MATERIALS DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR COLLECTION? We have many items relating to Hamilton County history, including genealogy, veteran records, old photographs of locations throughout the county, school yearbooks, sheriff information, and more! We collect artifacts as well as paper documentation, and we have a library with many resources for you! Contact us with questions. FAQ: FAQ

Sanborn Maps History: The practice of creating fire insurance maps originated in London in the late 18th century. In the U.S., Daniel Alfred Sanborn, a civil engineer and surveyor, began creating these maps in 1866. He founded the D. A. Sanborn National Insurance Diagram Bureau (later The Sanborn Map Company) in 1867. The company became the dominant publisher of fire insurance maps for nearly a century, producing maps for approximately 12,000 cities and towns across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While originally intended for the insurance industry, the Sanborn Map Company still exists today, focusing on geospatial products. Sanborn Map Information from the Library of Congress site: https://www.loc.gov/collections/sanborn-maps/?q=sanborn+noblesville Search for:Sanborn your city on their page.