The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-12-12

The work of the Indiana Historical
Commission, created by the general
assembly of 1915, with the immediate
duty Of q state centennial commission
and the permanent duty OF publishing
historical material relating to Indiana,
Is reviewed by DR.. Harlow Lindley. it's
head, in a brochure entitled Possible
ties In State Historical Celebrations,
which has just left the press.
DR.. Lindley ranks among the fore
most Indiana historians. His work In
collecting and codifying data pertain
ing to the early history Of the state,
us well as his connection with the
state librarian, have made him known
all over Hoosierdom. Excerpts from
his survey OF the work Of the histori-
cal commission will be Of interest in
his home city.
THE Indiana historical commission"
he writes, "as centennial commits.
sion on an appropriation Of 100000 car
ried on a statewide campaign of cen.
tennial publicity; 1t financially assist
ed In celebrations of statewide sig
nificance; 1t made possible a state
pageant master who could successful
ly introduce the pageant movement to
the educators of our state; 1t secured
as a permanent centennial reminder
an artistic centennial medal; 1t made
possible a motion picture of seven
reels, depicting the history of the
state; ii gave en- impetus to the study
OF our states history and development
in clubs and schools; it approved of
and assisted in the pioneer mother
memorial movement, and it unani-
mously supported the movement to
secure the old capitol at Corydon for
permanent state memorial it has
been responsible for the erection of
large number Of centennial memorials
over the state.
Perhaps its most permanent and
far-reaching work has been the inaug-
uration of permanent state parks
movement, which has alredy resulted
in securing as gift from the people
Of the state two tracts Of real estate
which have cost more than twice the
amount appropriated for the use of
this commission for centennial pur-
poses. On the basis Of the appropria-
ton OF $4,000 for historical publica-
tons, the commission has issued three
volumes and has another in press.
Interest Teachers.
Realizing the prime necessity of
arousing the interest of the school
population as a potent means of pub
licity, to say nothing Of permanent re-
eults. the commission made an appeal
directly to the teachers through the
county Institutes Of the summer and
fall Of 1915 In his ii had almost the
unfailing cooperation of the county
superintendents. With volunteer
force consisting chiefly Of half-dozen
speakers, for the most part persons
connected with the commission, a
schedule was arranged by the director
whereby practically all the county in
stitutes were addressed in the interest
OF the centennial observance and of
itself.
County Celebrations.
with but $4,000 at its disposal for
cclebrational activities, the commits
sion faced difficult problem. Such
ambitious projects as those of centen-
NAL expositions and great central cele-
brations as had been carried out in
other states, were manifestly out of
the question. Moreover the members
were doubtful as to the desirability of
such forms of observance, had they
ben possible. Their great concern
was that the commemoration of our
centenary might be such that 1t would
reach the people throughout the entire
state, quickening in them renewed
loyalty and deeper sense of civic
responsibility.
"Actuated, therefore, by a wisely
selected purpose as well as by finan-
cial necessity, the Indiana historical
commission blazed the way to a new
scheme of observance. In thorough
keeping with our democratic institu-
lions and political organization, it de-
cided to decentralize the Indiana cele-