The Bartholomew County Historical Society Museum has now fashioned a reach into style and trends of clothing design, sports, politics, and more.
This cultural spotlight and addition, which tells visitors about luminaries with Columbus ties, ranging from 1980s and 1990s artist and designer Stephen Sprouse to longtime congressman Rep. Lee Hamilton, a Columbus attorney in the 1950s and 1960s, to race car driver and team owner Tony Stewart, is part of the venue’s newest permanent exhibit.
If the impact of Sprouse, Stewart and Hamilton, who left Congress in 1999, seem like rather recent history, Diane Robbins understands. She’s the executive director of the historical society and one who spearheaded a push for a comprehensive county history display — and one that would include modern figures with others.
“I always like to say that history was (just) yesterday,” Robbins said. “We are not just a place for old things.”
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The new “Sharing the History and Heritage of Bartholomew County,” designed by RedBox Workshop of Chicago, Illinois, is comprised of:
An electronic, touchscreen map table with maps dating back to 1821.
A historical county timeline that includes collection artifacts and photos.
A notable people component with three-sided rotating graphics.
A Did You Know/Then and Now tower highlighting 25 varied county facts.
The exhibit also includes the beginning stages of an early industrialists exhibit that will be expanded on and completed in 2020.
“The objective was to tell our story and to do that with respect for all participants and parameters while engaging visitors with interactive elements,” Robbins said. “Creating a one-of-a-kind local history experience is a goal turned reality.”
The exhibit content and design committee consisted of Robbins; Adam Rediker, the historical society’s education manager; Tami Iorio, county historian, and Kathy Leitholt, historical society volunteer.
The $50,000 funding for the exhibit came from the fifth round of Indiana Historical Society’s Heritage Support Grant program made possible by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., and the Arvin Legacy Fund. This is the first Heritage Support Grant for the Bartholomew County Historical Society.
The timeline in the display includes ample modern-era highlights. For instance, it mentions the American Institute of Architects’ 1991 ranking of Columbus as sixth nationally for architectural innovation and design. And it includes Mike Pence becoming the U.S. vice president in 2016.
“It’s always been one of my goals that we should be able to make history fun,” Robbins said. “We’re trying to reach all audiences at all levels. A major goal for me and the board has been to reconnect the museum with the community.”
And they seem to be succeeding. Attendance has more than tripled over the past year, she said.
Robbins said that part of the reason for that boost is that many Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. third-grade classes involved in the I Know Columbus architectural program are now visiting the museum.
“We have made sure that those teachers are aware of the new exhibit,” said Janice Montgomery, who coordinates the program for the school foundation. “This is just another example of the great collaboration and resources we have here in Columbus.”
This marks the first time that the historical society has included such modern technology in an exhibit. And it also is the first time to highlight such a contemporary focus in a display, according to Robbins.
“We’ve had nothing but positive feedback from visitors of all ages,” she said.
Part-time museum employee Devin Malson mentioned that the new map table, with an expansive screen, simply seems to naturally attract people.
“As soon as they come in the door, a lot of people gravitate to it,” Malson said.
“And a lot of people are really intrigued by it,” Robbins said.
Ideally, she believes the display can be tweaked and added to in coming years. For now, though, she wants to see more people think of the facility as a destination stop downtown — and get a literal, hands-on feel for the display.
“We are definitely encouraging people to touch,” Robbins said.
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What: The new permanent exhibit at the Bartholomew County Historical Society Museum exhibit "Sharing the History and Heritage of Bartholomew County"
Where: 524 Third St. in downtown Columbus.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays.
How much: Free, but donations accepted
Information: 812-372-3541 or bartholomewhistory.org
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