Public Programs

Public Programs

The more you connect with Tippecanoe County history, the more it comes to life.

Stay connected, you don’t want to miss out! TCHA offers unique opportunities to engage with the past, whether you prefer lectures, tours, informal meet and greets, or interactive demonstrations, we’ll have something for you. So jump in – ask questions, offer opinions, listen, learn, and tour. We are constantly working to make the past enjoyable and accessible for you, so check out our programming calendar for the program that’s right for you.

Miss a program? View it on our You Tube Channel.

Mar
30
Thu
A Cartoon History of Greater Lafayette @ The History Center
Mar 30 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Join famous Lafayette cartoonist Dave Satler as he presents a “cartoon history” of our community. Dave will share a blend of personal favorites and some very important or popular ones pertaining to local. He will end the program by showing some of the ones they would NOT print and the reasons why. A program you won’t want to miss!
Presented by Dave Sattler, Lafayette area Cartoonist. This event is graciously sponsored by the National Group.
 
Zoom will be available and the link will be posted on the day of the program.
Apr
4
Tue
Show & Tell: Helen Gougar: Legal, Journalistic, and Influential Advocate for Women at the turn of the 20th Century @ The History Center
Apr 4 @ 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Presented by Pete Bill. 

If there was a political issue of the day in the 1890’s Helen Gougar was probably somewhere near the center of the fight. Whether it be as an activist for Women’s Suffrage or the Temperance and Prohibition movement, or as an advocate for laws to protect victims of domestic violence, Helen led a life long battle for what she viewed as fundamental “human rights” that belonged to women. Her roles took her from the smoky writing rooms of newspapers to the Indiana Supreme Court. Come hear the hard-fought tales about how Lafayette native, Helen Gougar, helped lift up the roles of women in society and changed the way women were viewed.

Learn more about Show & Tell programs:  Remember grade school Show & Tell, and how you looked forward to it all week? We all brought things from home that we thought were special or that were important to us. Recapture that school magic with TCHA’s Show & Tell programs! Bring a favorite piece from your collections, share what you know with others in the audience, and learn something new! Afterwards, sit back in your chair and engage with the presenter’s program.

Zoom will be available and a link will be posted on the day of the program.

Introduction to Genealogy: A Short Course for Beginners @ Frank C. Arganbright Genealogy Center
Apr 4 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Presented by Nancy A. Greenwood, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Indiana University Kokomo

This course is free to TCHA Members, or $35 for nonmembers. Become a member at https://tippecanoehistory.org/get-involved/membership/
Space is limited. To register for this class, contact Amy Harbor at library@tippecanoehistory.org or 765-476-8411 ext. 2
 
In this class we will learn the basic language and elements of doing genealogy, developing a family tree, investigating one’s family history, and using online resources, as well as those resources which might be available in the Arganbright Library of The Tippecanoe County Historical Association. This class is designed for beginners: people who have no or limited experience with genealogy and want to develop a family tree. We will learn about the evidence for building your tree as well as using family lore and stories as a basis for your tree. Later in the course, we can address student topics beyond this introduction, such as building a tree online or using other software and DNA evidence. Initially, you will be given a pedigree chart that you will complete on your own before the first class. This will require only basic information about your parents, grandparents, and possibly great-grandparents. Fill it out with whatever information you have or can get from other living relatives. No computer will be required for this assignment. You should complete it by hand and bring it to the first class. You do not have to have ancestors who lived in Tippecanoe County, IN to benefit from this course. All information you bring to class about your family is considered confidential and should not be shared outside of class.
A Cautionary note: If your family recently immigrated to the U.S. and/or you were adopted and you are looking for your biological family, this course will be less useful to you. As an introductory course, we will necessarily be limited to focusing on families where records are available in the U.S. Adoption records are also more difficult to find, and we will not discuss international records in this class.
 
Tentative Class Schedule:

Apr
10
Mon
School of the Artifact: Jewelry @ The History Center
Apr 10 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

A tremendous amount of artifacts relating to personal adornment have been found during the excavations at Fort Ouiatenon (circa 1717-1791). What did the French and Native inhabitants and visitors wear as jewelry? What type of metal and stones were used on some of these pieces? Was the jewelry all received in trade, or was some manufactured onsite? Come view some of the beautiful jewelry pieces found in the excavations!
Presented by Leslie and Rick Conwell.
 
This event is graciously sponsored by the National Group.
Zoom will be available and the link will be posted on the day of the program.
Apr
11
Tue
Introduction to Genealogy: A Short Course for Beginners @ Frank C. Arganbright Genealogy Center
Apr 11 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Presented by Nancy A. Greenwood, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Indiana University Kokomo

This course is free to TCHA Members, or $35 for nonmembers. Become a member at https://tippecanoehistory.org/get-involved/membership/
Space is limited. To register for this class, contact Amy Harbor at library@tippecanoehistory.org or 765-476-8411 ext. 2
 
In this class we will learn the basic language and elements of doing genealogy, developing a family tree, investigating one’s family history, and using online resources, as well as those resources which might be available in the Arganbright Library of The Tippecanoe County Historical Association. This class is designed for beginners: people who have no or limited experience with genealogy and want to develop a family tree. We will learn about the evidence for building your tree as well as using family lore and stories as a basis for your tree. Later in the course, we can address student topics beyond this introduction, such as building a tree online or using other software and DNA evidence. Initially, you will be given a pedigree chart that you will complete on your own before the first class. This will require only basic information about your parents, grandparents, and possibly great-grandparents. Fill it out with whatever information you have or can get from other living relatives. No computer will be required for this assignment. You should complete it by hand and bring it to the first class. You do not have to have ancestors who lived in Tippecanoe County, IN to benefit from this course. All information you bring to class about your family is considered confidential and should not be shared outside of class.
A Cautionary note: If your family recently immigrated to the U.S. and/or you were adopted and you are looking for your biological family, this course will be less useful to you. As an introductory course, we will necessarily be limited to focusing on families where records are available in the U.S. Adoption records are also more difficult to find, and we will not discuss international records in this class.
 
Tentative Class Schedule:

Apr
17
Mon
Historic Home Research @ The History Center
Apr 17 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Presented by Ben Ross Of RATIO Architects, Inc.

Are you interested in learning more about historic homes in Tippecanoe County, their architecture, or how to restore a historic home? Benjamin L. Ross is a historic preservation specialist and architectural historian with RATIO Architects, Inc. Ben’s experience includes scholarly research, planning, design, and implementation for restoration, revitalization, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse projects involving nonprofit, public, and private developer clients as well as public-private partnerships.
 
This event is graciously sponsored by the National Group.
Apr
18
Tue
Introduction to Genealogy: A Short Course for Beginners @ Frank C. Arganbright Genealogy Center
Apr 18 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Presented by Nancy A. Greenwood, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Indiana University Kokomo

This course is free to TCHA Members, or $35 for nonmembers. Become a member at https://tippecanoehistory.org/get-involved/membership/
Space is limited. To register for this class, contact Amy Harbor at library@tippecanoehistory.org or 765-476-8411 ext. 2
 
In this class we will learn the basic language and elements of doing genealogy, developing a family tree, investigating one’s family history, and using online resources, as well as those resources which might be available in the Arganbright Library of The Tippecanoe County Historical Association. This class is designed for beginners: people who have no or limited experience with genealogy and want to develop a family tree. We will learn about the evidence for building your tree as well as using family lore and stories as a basis for your tree. Later in the course, we can address student topics beyond this introduction, such as building a tree online or using other software and DNA evidence. Initially, you will be given a pedigree chart that you will complete on your own before the first class. This will require only basic information about your parents, grandparents, and possibly great-grandparents. Fill it out with whatever information you have or can get from other living relatives. No computer will be required for this assignment. You should complete it by hand and bring it to the first class. You do not have to have ancestors who lived in Tippecanoe County, IN to benefit from this course. All information you bring to class about your family is considered confidential and should not be shared outside of class.
A Cautionary note: If your family recently immigrated to the U.S. and/or you were adopted and you are looking for your biological family, this course will be less useful to you. As an introductory course, we will necessarily be limited to focusing on families where records are available in the U.S. Adoption records are also more difficult to find, and we will not discuss international records in this class.
 
Tentative Class Schedule:

Apr
25
Tue
Introduction to Genealogy: A Short Course for Beginners @ Frank C. Arganbright Genealogy Center
Apr 25 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Presented by Nancy A. Greenwood, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Indiana University Kokomo

This course is free to TCHA Members, or $35 for nonmembers. Become a member at https://tippecanoehistory.org/get-involved/membership/
Space is limited. To register for this class, contact Amy Harbor at library@tippecanoehistory.org or 765-476-8411 ext. 2
 
In this class we will learn the basic language and elements of doing genealogy, developing a family tree, investigating one’s family history, and using online resources, as well as those resources which might be available in the Arganbright Library of The Tippecanoe County Historical Association. This class is designed for beginners: people who have no or limited experience with genealogy and want to develop a family tree. We will learn about the evidence for building your tree as well as using family lore and stories as a basis for your tree. Later in the course, we can address student topics beyond this introduction, such as building a tree online or using other software and DNA evidence. Initially, you will be given a pedigree chart that you will complete on your own before the first class. This will require only basic information about your parents, grandparents, and possibly great-grandparents. Fill it out with whatever information you have or can get from other living relatives. No computer will be required for this assignment. You should complete it by hand and bring it to the first class. You do not have to have ancestors who lived in Tippecanoe County, IN to benefit from this course. All information you bring to class about your family is considered confidential and should not be shared outside of class.
A Cautionary note: If your family recently immigrated to the U.S. and/or you were adopted and you are looking for your biological family, this course will be less useful to you. As an introductory course, we will necessarily be limited to focusing on families where records are available in the U.S. Adoption records are also more difficult to find, and we will not discuss international records in this class.
 
Tentative Class Schedule:

May
2
Tue
Introduction to Genealogy: A Short Course for Beginners @ Frank C. Arganbright Genealogy Center
May 2 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Presented by Nancy A. Greenwood, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Indiana University Kokomo

This course is free to TCHA Members, or $35 for nonmembers. Become a member at https://tippecanoehistory.org/get-involved/membership/
Space is limited. To register for this class, contact Amy Harbor at library@tippecanoehistory.org or 765-476-8411 ext. 2
 
In this class we will learn the basic language and elements of doing genealogy, developing a family tree, investigating one’s family history, and using online resources, as well as those resources which might be available in the Arganbright Library of The Tippecanoe County Historical Association. This class is designed for beginners: people who have no or limited experience with genealogy and want to develop a family tree. We will learn about the evidence for building your tree as well as using family lore and stories as a basis for your tree. Later in the course, we can address student topics beyond this introduction, such as building a tree online or using other software and DNA evidence. Initially, you will be given a pedigree chart that you will complete on your own before the first class. This will require only basic information about your parents, grandparents, and possibly great-grandparents. Fill it out with whatever information you have or can get from other living relatives. No computer will be required for this assignment. You should complete it by hand and bring it to the first class. You do not have to have ancestors who lived in Tippecanoe County, IN to benefit from this course. All information you bring to class about your family is considered confidential and should not be shared outside of class.
A Cautionary note: If your family recently immigrated to the U.S. and/or you were adopted and you are looking for your biological family, this course will be less useful to you. As an introductory course, we will necessarily be limited to focusing on families where records are available in the U.S. Adoption records are also more difficult to find, and we will not discuss international records in this class.
 
Tentative Class Schedule:

May
13
Sat
Family Day at the Fort: Candle Dipping @ Fort Ouiatenon Historical Park
May 13 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

What did Fort Ouiatenon’s habitants use for lighting in the 18th century? Come see some examples of what was used, and make a candle to take home! This program is free, but donations are gratefully accepted to help cover the cost of beeswax for the candles.

Presented by Leslie Conwell