The Irvington Historical Society is providing a chance for early Christmas shopping at The Bona Thompson Memorial Center. This year’s event welcomes some new vendors as well as old favorites. The Bona Bookstore has a variety of books on various aspects of Irvington history. The newest offering is Celebrating Fifty Years of Homes – a coffee-table-style book with includes pictures and stories about every house that has been on The Benton House Irvington Tour of Homes. Popular books this year are Char Ottinger’s Madge and Timothy Egan’s A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan’s Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them. Also available are the 2nd edition of Paul Diebold’s Irvington Architecture and a variety of books on various aspects of Irvington history.
The large Christmas tree, icicles lights, and other decorations will put the whole family in the spirit of the holidays. The annual Holiday Fair will be held Friday, Nov. 17 from 5-9 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center, 5350 E. University Ave. Admission is free.
There is something for everyone: pottery, jewelry, Christmas ornaments and décor (some new, some vintage), interesting purses and bags, handmade soaps, candles from Restored Creations (the Wheeler Mission),, and many vintage and collectible items from Char Ottinger and others. Revivable Goods (Betsy Cooprider-Bernstein and Alan) will provide edible goodies to take home. Over 20 artists, artisans, crafters, authors, and organizations will take part in this year’s Holiday Fair. Artists such as Paul Diebold, Cheryl Anne Lorance, Jodie Rojas and Pat Brown have original work as well as prints. Whether you are shopping for gifts or for yourself, you will find something unusual that catches your eye.
Proceeds from the fair go to support the Irvington Historical Society and help to support the maintenance of the historic Bona Thompson Memorial Center. The building was originally the library of Butler University when it was located in Irvington. It was saved from demolition and restored to its former glory, opening in 2002 as the permanent home of the Irvington Historical Society. This year, there is also a capital campaign underway to raise funds to replace the HVAC systems and to turn the Annex room into a usable space for exhibits and gatherings.
The building houses art from nationally-known artists, emerging local artists, plus a research center for local history. It is also home to an extensive collection of International Harvester items, and permanent displays of Kin Hubbard and Abe Martin works, Howe High School items, and the West Baden Angels.
For more information about the mission of the Irvington Historical Society, to volunteer to help them out on their many projects, and to find out the history of the building, visit irvingtonhistory.org
