Hendricks County Historical Museum

10/20/2026

Top hats, bowler hats, picture hats, gloves, all of these would look very familiar to James Beck and James Whitcomb Riley. Enjoy high tea and see these and other items from the early 20th century at the Hendricks Historical Museum's Tea at the historic Courthouse Grounds. Only a very few spots are open, call 317-718-6158 leave a message by noon on Thursday to reserve your place.

10/13/2026

We are a little behind in remembering James Whitcomb Riley,the Hoosier Poet on his birthday October 7. He was born in Greenfield Indiana in 1849. Riley composed over 1,000 poems often about Indiana childhood and life in a "Hoosier" dialect. When he lived in Lockerbie Square, Indianapolis he would travel to Danville to eat his favorite ham sandwich on salt rising bread at James Beck's restaurant on the eastside of the Square. That restaurant is now Courthouse Grounds. There are some reservations still available for the Hendricks County Historical Museum's Tea on October 24 at CHG at 1 and 3, only a few are available at 1. Call and leave a message at 317-718-6815 with your name and number. Cost is $30, payable at the door. Grounds

10/06/2026

10/03/2026

The Road Rally is about ready to start. There is an amazing variety of cars taking part!

10/01/2026

Load up the family and join us on the Hendricks County Historical Museum's Road Rally "Westward Ho!" this Saturday, Oct 3 at 9 am. Cost is $20 per car, the directions and instructions are given at the start. Prizes are awarded at the finish, which will be around 11:00. This is always a fun event, you may be on roads you never have been on before and learn a little at the same time.
Pre-registration is not required.

09/18/2026

The National Road was a route West for farmers, businessmen, and dreamers going to the gold rush. Join us October 3 at 9 am for a fun drive past places along this way.

09/14/2026

MERGE Mural Fest is going on in Danville, now through Saturday the 19th, when the finished murals will be revealed and celebrated, 11-5. Stop by the Museum Saturday, 11-3 while you are there.
A historic oil painting which has been called a mural, "Filling the Water Jugs Haymaking Time" is found in the Old Post Office lobby in Danville (now the Child Support Office). Gail W. Martin painted it in 1939, under the Treasury Section of Fine Art . This was part of the New Deal that commissioned fine art to decorate Federal buildings, give artists employment, and provide art to view for free for the American people. This one depicts a scene that was familiar to many harvesting crops in Hendricks County.

09/11/2026

We honor and remember Major Stephen Long who was killed in the attack on the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. He was from Hazelwood and a graduate of Cascade High School.

09/03/2026

Have you noticed the display cases outside of the Indiana Room?

Melody from the Hendricks County Historical Museum regularly brings items from their collection to display at the library, giving our patrons a chance to see and learn more about pieces of our local history.

The latest installation includes items from the House of Hadley! Stop by to check it out. We encourage you to visit the museum as well.

We’re so thankful for this wonderful partnership!