Ireland Historical Society, Inc. 

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The picture on the left is of our building in the 1940's. Go to the second picture in our Gallery to see how it looks today.

In May of 1996,  the Ireland Historical Society, Inc. was formed in Ireland, Indiana. It is located on the corner of James and Walnut Streets. For 911 purposes the address for the society is: 5173W Walnut Street, Jasper, IN, 47546.  Ireland does not have mail  rural delivery.  However, there was the first Post Office named Alder Creek and some of the early Ireland Post Offices that carried rural mail with the horse and buggy.  

A significant feature of the Museum part of the society is its "Walls of History" in the basement of the building.  There are more than 1000 pictures of the area described on said walls.  Each picture has a piece of the area history written and displayed with it.  If anyone has a picture(s) they think may qualify for the walls, please let us know by contacting the secretary.  The picture will be copied and returned to the owner if it is not given to the society.  The society has erected four historical markers in locations in Ireland describing a different segment of the town.  The society has donated several historical items to the Dubois County Museum.  In October of 2003 the society filled the Ireland High School  portion of the historical display case in the Jasper High School designated for the high schools of the area. Click on Ireland High School on this website for the schools history.  The society also has many artifacts on display including the original doctor's case used by Dr. E.A. Glezen in 1846.

Are you from Ireland?  Click here.

   A replica of early Ireland buildings is also on display.  The town is laid out as the streets were around 1914.  These miniture replicas were built by member Mike Schmitt of Ireland.

The basement is used for our regular meetings.  The building may be used by other public entities for their meetings.  Madison Townships' Conservancy District holds their regular monthly meetings there.  The Dubois County Historical Society, The Dubois County Museum, Dubois County AARP, Jasper German Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution have held meetings in our building.  The 5th grade of the Ireland Elementary School tours the building each year in the spring.  The Ireland High School class of 1953 held their 50th class reunion there also. Since then several other Ireland High School reunions have been held there also.   The chapel of the church building remains unchanged and is available for weddings, baptisms, funerals and regular religious services. Last year 4 more class reunions were held.  The DAR has met here.  There was one wedding in July with another was held in October. The weddings were in the Ireland Historical Chapel.  The chapel holds as many as 200.  More weddings are scheduled for 2010 & 2011.  Would you like to get married in Ireland (Indiana) and never could afford it?  Just e-mail the name on the home page for details.  Get married in Ireland!

     For a real pioneer wedding near Ireland, you can get married at the Shiloh Meeting House or Lemmons Church.  Go to those respective sites to see those churches. (capacity 150+)

 (photo by Charlie Treadway)

  

    As stated above, the structure was built in 1878. It is the oldest building in Ireland.  Since 1996 it has been nicely refurbished. However, the building keeps it's old (new) look charm in the town of Ireland, Indiana. The inside of the Ireland Historical Chapel is seen above (capacity 200). Come to Ireland, Indiana and see for yourself! Click here for directions and a map!

     The society's regular meetings are held in September, October, January, February, March and April.  The meetings for September and October are held on the fourth Sunday at 1:30 EST.  In all other months listed, the meetings are on the 3rd Sundays (unless notice is given otherwise) at 1:30 EST. Meeting notices are always sent out previous to our meetings.  Various historical subjects highlight the meetings.  The January meeting  always features the 5th grade students of Ireland Elementary School.  The students give an oral and pictorial biography of one of their ancestors. 

   

     The 2009-2010 was started on September 27th  at 1:30.  John Keusch of the Dubois County REMC talked on the now proposed "Cap & Trade" bill and what it could do to our electrical rates, etc.  He also showed 2 videos of the history and the workings of the REMC (Rural Electric).

     On November 25, 2009, the duties of the Dubois County GenWeb coordinater were presented.  The job is done on a volunteer basis.  Charles Treadway of Goshen, Indiana is our county coordinater.  If you have any county information you would like to share with him, his e-mail is: charlie31141@comcast.net.  Charlie has spent much time in doing the job.  The rest of the meeting was on old times in Ireland with Tom Kellams, Mike Schmitt and D. "Junie" Himsel presiding.

     PORTERSVILLE/BOONE TOWNSHIP MURAL to be unveiled at the Dubois County Museum.  The Ireland Historical Society is in charge of the meetings.  The meeting will be held on January 10th at 1:30 pm EST at the museum.  The Birch Creek Boys from the St. Johns Church in Boone Township will provide musical entertainment. Refreshments will be served.

    The earliest history of Dubois County will be explained visually and verbally... Come to the museum on that Sunday and bring a friend.

     IRELAND FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETING, on February 21, 2010 at 1;30pm, the Ireland Historical Society will meet at the fire department building in Ireland.  The department will explain their equipment and give helpful information on how to prevent fires and what to do in case of a fire.  The public is invited.  Refreshments will be served.  

     ST. PATRICK'S CELEBRATION REPORT:  The historical participated in the celebration by having open houses on Saturday and Sunday the 13th and 14th of March.  In addition the society provided space for the pie bake-off contest on Saturday.  On Sunday the society welcomed the overflow of the K Of C dinner patrons by letting them use our space as needed.  The combination of the pie bake-off and the KC crowd did bring more people to our open houses making it a win-win for all.   The historical society won 3rd place in the float entries of the large 2010 St. Patrick's Parade. 

     THE ANNUAL IRELAND 5TH GRADE BIOGRAPHY OF AN ANCESTOR PROGRAM will be held on April 18th at 1:30pm at the historical society on James & Walnut Sts. in Ireland.  Students give a short presentation of one of their relatives in the past that they would have liked to meet.  This is the 30th annual presentation, it was started by members of the historical society in 1980.  It was in existance prior to the society being formed. The society took the project under it's wing and has carried on.  The public is invited. Come and bring a friend.

     Watch this spot for the 2010-2011 events.

   The purpose of the Ireland Historical Society is to be a public benefit corporation organized to operate exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501-c-3 of the Internal Revenue Code and, more specifically: to discover and memorialize the history of Ireland, Indiana, and the Dubois County Townships of Boone and Madison. To do this the corporation will collect, preserve, research, and interpret the history and materials of this area; to see that our historic archives are properly cared for and thereby to cause a better understanding and appreciation of our areas' history, art and natural environment.  The society is to hold meetings for the instruction and information of members and the public; and to accept donations of money, real property or other property for the above purposes, to conduct such other activities and business as it may be lawfully permitted under state law and as they may comply as above.  Dues are $10 per year, if you wish to join sent your dues to our secretary, Eather Kellams, 658N-490W, Jasper, IN  47546. 

Do you know anyone on this picture?  The picture was taken in the Ireland Millinery Shop in the 1920's.

    

E-mail any information or comments to:  Delbert Himsel or ekellams@netsurfusa.net
 
 
 
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