What We Did in 2005
We had about 350 student visitors to the Meeting House. These included third and fourth graders from Acton, Adams, Arlington, Bunker Hill and Nativity elementary schools. (Among them were Brownie Scouts from Nativity, and Little Hoosier club members from Adams who planted geraniums in our flower bed).We took a program to Acton school, and had 3 “Walking Tours of Wanamaker”. We estimate the total attendance (including teachers and parents) at close to 400.
We had 14 Open Hours (from March through October) with an estimated attendance of 65. We are delighted to have been successful in having our Meeting House and Big Run Cemetery listed on both the Indiana Register and the National Register of Historic Places. Diana Stevenson was in charge of this effort, preparing the application and taking the necessary photographs. We thank her very much.
We had our Second Annual Quilt Show on April 17 with 70 entries. The show was held at Acton U.M. Church, with church ladies serving soup, sandwiches and apple dumplings. We made about $600. We have set the date for next year’s show for Saturday, April 29.
We shared in the Memorial Day Ceremonies at Acton Cemetery.
We participated in Old Settlers Day on Sunday, June 26. We had two locations – one on the street and one at Wheatley’s.
We shared in the Acton Craft Fair at Acton U.M. Church on Saturday, October 15.
We shared in the efforts of the Township Civic League to purchase the site of the Acton Camp Ground for a township park, and have participated with Indy Parks in planning for its development as a nature park and memorial to the Acton Camp Ground.
The Society gave copies of its publications to all Franklin Township schools, including Nativity, St. John, and Lutheran High School... (We also give our publications to the Franklin Road Branch Library.) Some 70 books were distributed.
Ben Schuman gave matching polo shirts with Historical Society logo to the Board members, to be worn on public occasions.
We bought 1000 pencils with our web site printed on them as gifts to students who visit the Meeting House.
Small Miracles Child Center held their 25th anniversary on our grounds on Saturday, Sept. 10. About 20 persons visited the Meeting House.
We set up a “Hoosier Kitchen,” with a Hoosier Cabinet as the centerpiece, donated by David Ostheimer. Members and friends contributed utensils, a cookbook, and containers. Dave made a “coal stove.” To go with it. We included the Big Run Church Jadeite dishes in the display. Dale Walton made an exhibit for the Franklin Road Branch Library on the Acton Camp Ground and the planned-for township park.
David and Sylvia attended a Perry Township/Southport Historical Society Meeting on Sept. 29, giving a presentation on “What IS That Thing?”
We submitted copy for “Remembrances of Franklin Township column in the Informer (along with Velma Ruede).
We had 11 board meetings.
We gained 2 new members, lost 5 by death.
We sent 4 newsletters to members and friends.
Alena Van Arendonk kept our website (www.fths.org.) As of Nov.8, we had 2140 “hits.”
We received many gifts of photos, books, household items, and township memorabilia for which we thank our members and friends.
We are planning for a Members and Friends Dinner at the Goodrich Sisters on Saturday,
November 12, at 1 p.m. with Hoosier folklorist Wanda Willis as our speaker.
We are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the fire that destroyed the Acton Camp Ground on November 12, 1905. A unique program is being planned on the camp ground site on Saturday, November 12, at 4:30 p.m.
We will participate in Christmas in Wanamaker on Saturday, Dec. 3, having a table in Wanamaker Feed and Seed, where we will sell gift memberships and our publications.