Mission Statement:

It is the mission of the Bartholomew County Historical Society to collect, preserve and exhibit the history of our community for the education and enjoyment of residents and guests.

In 1969 the "Italianate" style tenant house at 524 Third Street was purchased. Much work was needed to update the historical monument. By January 1973 the first floor was renovated and opened to the public. Later the same year, the second floor's renovation was complete.

The first meeting of the newly incorporated Bartholomew County Historical Society (BCHS) was held April 3, 1921 at the First United Presbyterian Church. Organizers of the Historical Society were George Pence, Vida Newsom, W.H. Newsom, D.J. Richard, Hugh T. Miller, W.G. Irwin, Yandell C. Cline, J.R. Dunlap. The mission was for the "literary purposes, generally but in particularly to actively engage in the collection of data and material for and in the preservation of county and state history, biography, and to disseminate such information in any and all proper ways."

The first home for the museum was in the basement of the County Courthouse, opened in February of 1927. In 1948 it was determined more space was needed for the growing collection. In 1969 the "Italianate" style tenant house at 524 Third Street was purchased. Much work was needed to update the historical monument. By January 1973 the first floor was renovated and opened to the public. Later the same year, the second floor's renovation was complete.

In 1969 the "Italianate" style tenant house at 524 Third Street was purchased. Much work was needed to update the historical monument. By January 1973 the first floor was renovated and opened to the public. Later the same year, the second floor's renovation was complete.