by Steven Schmidt, Volunteer Historian, Irvington Historical Society
It is not every day that someone approaches with an idea and offers to help. The Irvington Historical Society has long been supported by volunteers who have given their time and talents to create the museum and its exhibits. Let’s start with a bit of history – in 1964, when the Irvington Historical Society began, the collection was kept on a couple of shelves in the Benton House. The Society then moved to a larger closet in the Brown Branch of the Indianapolis Public Library. In 1999, with the aid of some major grants, the Irvington Historical Society volunteers took on the restoration of the Bona Thompson Memorial Center, the last remaining building from Butler University’s Irvington Campus (1870-1928). This was a huge task, changing what had been a 100-year-old library, then a bookstore and printing plant, into a large and viable museum and research collection focused on Irvington.
Fast forward to today. The Bona Thompson Center is still the home of the Irvington Historical Society and a free museum displaying rotating exhibits focusing on both Irvington’s past and Irvington’s present and future. It was a great day for the Irvington Historical Society when Rebecca VanVliet appeared and asked if she could completely update the website. Yes! It was very much needed! VanVliet and Erin Jeter collaborated on a completely new website to support the Irvington Historical Society as it continues to grow. See their great contribution at irvingtonhistory.org.
Find directions to the Bona, hours, contact information and who is on the board. Check out images of the rotating and permanent exhibits. Peruse the gift shop, and make purchases from the comfort of your own home. You can also become a member of the Irvington Historical Society. The Irvington Historical Society and its home, the Bona Thompson Memorial Center, are 100% volunteer run, so contributions are needed to help keep the lights on and the museum admission free. So, if you would like to make a contribution, to become a sponsor or help with a donation to our new endowment, you can do that all online.
Visitors are still welcome to the museum, and admission is free. The Bona Thompson Center, 5350 East University Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46219, is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. But you knew all that, because it is on the new irvingtonhistory.org webpage.
