Putnam County Museum

Gerrymandering: The Origin Story | Timeless In 1812, Massachusetts Gov. Gov. Elbridge Gerry signed a bill he didn't like, one the reordered some political districts into particularly odd shapes to favor one party. One contorted district looked like a huge salamander -- and the term

Fifth annual County Visual Arts Exhibit opens Saturday with support from IAC With collective support from the Greencastle Arts Council, Putnam County Museum and the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC), the fifth annual Putnam County Adult Visual Arts Exhibition will open to the public with a reception honoring this year's participants and award recipients on Saturday, July 13, fro...

In conjunction with the opening of What Bugs Us! and Willis Blatchley, special guest, Dr. Christopher Wirth, Collection Manager of the Purdue Entomological Research Collection will present a talk about Willis Blatchley and his bugs.

Blatchley grew up in Groveland. He was considered the Indiana State Naturalist. Blatchley discovered many insects that had never been described. Several bear his name, such as this Handsome Fungus Beetle, stenotarsus blatchleyi.

"Every kid has a bug phase. I just never grew out of mine."
“This quip by E. O. Wilson perfectly captures my own relationship with insects”, says Dr. Wirth. “As a child I began collecting and identifying the insects found throughout my family’s rural yard and quickly realized the astounding diversity of insects. These countless moments of discovery transformed a childhood fascination with “bugs” into my professional interest.” Dr. Wirth is responsible for more than 1.3 million insect (and other arthropod) specimens in the research collection. In his spare time, he photographs bugs!

This presentation and opening will take place on Sunday June 23, at 2:30 at the Putnam County Museum, 1105 North Jackson, Greencastle, Indiana 46135. Call 765 653-8419 for additional information.

The exhibit contains the award-winning insect collections of Grace Aker and Justin Evans, actual Blatchley specimens courtesy of the Purdue Entomological Collection, an interactive photographic bug mosaic developed by John Garner in conjunction with local photographers and Blatchley memorabilia loaned by the Blatchley Nature Study Club. This exhibit was made possible through a sponsorship by Jedele Enterprises.

Related bug activities for young people will be held as follows:
June 30, 2:00 Seek and Find: Make your own insect viewer!

July 27, 11:00 All About Bees – Where Should I Live? Mason bees homes and honey bee homes

February 27, 2:00 Camouflage or Not? Design Your Own Insect!

April 12, 11:00 How Do I Move? Insects that grab, walk, and fly!

Please call the Museum at (765) 653-8419 to reserve your space for these programs.

Photo courtesy of Courtesy of Judy Gallagher - 52450054@N04/14350515631/," rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://www.flickr.com/photos/52450054@N04/14350515631/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=55247372

Model trains on display through June 8 at county museum The Putnam County Museum has announced that the Pacific & Eastern Model Railroad has returned to the museum for a short stay through Saturday, June 8. Visitors are invited to stop in to view the O-scale model railroad display and the museum's collection of railroad memorabilia any time during the we...

Saturday, build a model train car while the trains run!

Model trains on display through June 8 at county museum The Putnam County Museum has announced that the Pacific & Eastern Model Railroad has returned to the museum for a short stay through Saturday, June 8. Visitors are invited to stop in to view the O-scale model railroad display and the museum's collection of railroad memorabilia any time during the we...

Deadline Extended!

Putnam County Visual Arts Exhibit extends call for submissions The Greencastle Arts Council, in collaboration with the Putnam County Museum, has extended its May 20 deadline for entering the Fifth Annual Putnam County Adult Visual Arts Exhibition and will continue to accept submissions through May 27. This year's exhibit, which will be held at the PCM (1105 N.....

The Putnam County Museum is seeking contributors for our quarterly publication, The Arch!

The Arch is published and distributed to museum members, schools, libraries, and more, featuring stories by local writers on the cultural and natural history of the county. Topics covered include historic and current events, famous and noteworthy residents, celebrations, agriculture, nature, businesses and products made in Putnam County.

Published articles may be stories, remembrances, research discoveries, and interviews. Writers can come from all walks of life: teachers, students, artists, business owners, farmers, and indeed, all residents of Putnam County are welcome and encouraged to submit articles!

For more information, please read the full image attached. Work may be submitted to:

Kathy Shigeta, Publications Editor
[email protected]

https://www.bingdavisartstudio.org/?utm_campaign=95e13eef-8143-49a7-8bd7-58e49c802949&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail_lp&utm_content=b96a2c86-beb7-472d-bade-9377702070e9&cid=77621bc0-6e8f-4d1a-8064-efb20d2f66ff

Willis Bing Davis Art Studio & EbonNia Gallery | UnitedStates View paintings, drawings and other contemporary African-American artwork created by nationally-acclaimed Willis "Bing" Davis. Located in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village, the adjacent gallery sells art and displays rotating community exhibits that highlight local,regional and national artists.

UPCOMING EXHIBIT - Heirloom Coverlets from Private Collections, October 16, 2023 - January 19, 2024

A Members-Only Preview will be held October 14th, with refreshments provided by Almost Home. Not a member? Join today! https://www.putnamcountymuseum.org/become-a-member

The exhibit will open to the public on Monday, October 16th. The Putnam County Museum is open Monday - Friday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm (with private, after-hours, and weekend tours available by request). Admission is free, donations are welcome. Call 765-653-8419 for more information!

Fiddler John Kellam entertained guests at the Putnam County Birthday Bash, held June 25th, 2023 at the Putnam County Museum in Greencastle, Indiana. Kellam resides in Brown County, but attended DePauw University. In addition to the fiddle, he can play the guitar and mandolin.

John Kellam at the Putnam County Birthday Bash Fiddler John Kellam entertained guests at the Putnam County Birthday Bash, held June 25th, 2023 at the Putnam County Museum in Greencastle, Indiana. Kellam r...

This black-and-white photo, taken from Washington Street, shows a fascinating version of Greencastle pre 1900. In this picture, you can see the old court house, horse and buggies, the old opera house and buildings on the Northeast corner of Washington and Indiana Street. Also visible: a sign for Ricketts the Jeweler and Optician, Sutherlin the Hatter, and Ledbetter Furniture and Undertaking.

This 1980's era black-and-white photograph shows the 'new' Central National Bank drive thru at One Central Square, in Greencastle Indiana.

Happening this Saturday, from 2-5 PM!

Mark your calendars and join us for the Fourth Annual Putnam County Adult Visual Arts Exhibition! The exhibit opens with an awards reception on Saturday, July 8, 2-5 p.m. and runs through September 22. Both events are free and open to the public!

This black-and-white photo shows the 1923 Cloverdale Boosters Club on East Market Street. A label in the lower corner counts 23 cars and 118 people, and identifies the photographer as 'Garter'.

Thank you to all who attended the Putnam County Birthday Bash on Sunday, June 25th 2023! It was quite a party- the Putnam County Museum was full inside and out of demonstrators and guests, with the sounds of chatter, laughter, fiddles and guitars, pottery wheels and looms, miniature train engines, and the voice of one Mr. Abraham Lincoln all in the air.

Please enjoy scrolling through these photos of the festivities- if you have any photos that you took during the day, we invite you to share them by commenting below!

Have you ever seen an elephant in pantaloons? How about a giraffe in a ruff? In Kellog's 'Funny Jungleland Moving-Pictures' book, you can! This children's book contains multicolored printed images of anthropomorphized animals and text. By flipping the pages, which are cut into strips, the child playing with this book could change the legs, torso, and heads of the various characters. This picture book was donated as part of a collection on Susie and Harry Stamp.

Visit the Putnam County Museum this Sunday, June 25th, to celebrate a joint Birthday Bash! We'll celebrate 20 years of the Putnam County Museum, 200 years of Greencastle, and 202 years of Putnam County, Indiana. Music, giveaways, cake and ice-cream, and even the locally-famed Mahoney's Coneys will all be there- you should be, too!

🎉 Join us this weekend for a spectacular celebration at the Putnam County Museum’s Big Birthday Bash! 🎈

We're commemorating 20 incredible years of the museum, Putnam County's 202nd birthday, and 200 years of the city of Greencastle. 🎂🍦🎶 Get ready for music, Mahoney's Coneys, and delicious cake and ice cream. 🎵🌭🍰

Save the date: June 25th from 1-4pm at the Putnam County Museum. See you there! 🥳✨