Johnson County Museum of History, Indiana

08/14/2026

As we begin to wrap up our America's 250th programs, the museum staff wanted to thank this group (and many others not pictured) who has helped organize so many wonderful events at the county level! We appreciate all their time, effort, and help they offered since our committee first started in 2024.

08/10/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out to our programs this weekend! Rich Gotshall gave a wonderful presentation about the importance of colonial printing, along with a discussion of how it worked. Our Film, Fact, and Fiction program in the evening explored the works of Michael Crichton and the discoveries of early 20th century paleontologist Elmer Riggs, who was from Trafalgar. Thank you to Johnson County Public Library-Indiana for partnering on both events!

08/06/2026

The museum double feature is this Saturday! At 1:30, Rich Gotshall will give a talk on Colonial Printers as part of our Voices from the Past series with Johnson County Public Library-Indiana. Then at 6:00 pm join us for our Film, Fact, and Fiction program on "Jurassic Park." Museum staff will discuss the life of 19th century paleontologist Elmer Riggs and the Library staff will talk about the works of Michael Crichton. The Historic Artcraft Theatre will show the movie at 7:30. Please note you will have to buy a ticket separately for the movie, but the program is free of charge.

08/01/2026

We are one week away from a Museum "double feature" on August 8! Join us at 1:30 for a Storyteller program on Colonial Printers, presented by Rich Gotshall. This event is free and open to the public and co-sponsored by the Johnson County Public Library-Indiana. Then, at 6:00, we will have a "Film, Fact, and Fiction" program with the film "Jurassic Park." Museum staff will explore the life of famous early 20th century paleontologist Elmer Riggs, who was from Trafalgar. Library staff will talk about the works of author Michael Crichton. After the program, The Historic Artcraft Theatre is showing the film. Please note you will have to purchase your tickets separately for the movie, but the program at the museum is free of charge.

07/31/2026

Hello and Happy Friday, it’s Karen the Curator! This week’s is a continuation of our America’s 250th Celebration. We had several artifacts that we could not fit into our exhibit, so I will be highlighting some of these items over the coming weeks.
Today, I am featuring a tintype photograph of Landen Noe Hendricks, which dates to 1850–1860.
The Hendricks family name is familiar to many in Johnson County. Landen's brother, Lewis, built the Hendricks Cabin that currently stands on the museum grounds. Landen moved to Johnson County, Indiana, from Kentucky in 1822 with his brothers, Lewis and Squire. Their father, Peter, was a Revolutionary War soldier.
Landen married Drucilla Hardesty in 1827, and they had 10 children. He passed away in 1894 and is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin.

07/25/2026

Happy Birthday Museum! in 1931, the first museum displays opened in the basement of the Johnson County Courthouse. Originally, the museum was run by Alexander Hamilton Chapter NSDAR , with Georgia Schlosser as the first Director.

07/24/2026

Join Director David at the Trafalgar Branch of the Johnson County Public Library-Indiana next Thursday July 30 to learn more about America's 250th!

Learn about America's 250th anniversary with a fun and informative presentation from David Pfeiffer of the Johnson County Museum! Join us at our Trafalgar Branch next Thursday, July 30, at 6 p.m.

Johnson County Museum of History, Indiana

07/23/2026

Hi everyone, it’s Karen the Curator, back for this week's ! As we celebrate America’s 250th, I’m sharing a special artifact: a brass candlestick owned by John D. Hart (1709/1713–1779), a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Donated in 1952 by descendant Harriot Palmer, this piece has an amazing local history.

While researching our "America’s 250th Part I" exhibit, I was stunned to discover my own connection: my 6th great-grandmother was Lucretia Hart Gilbert Thomas, John D. Hart’s sister, making him my 6th great-granduncle! Seeing this artifact bridge Johnson County history and my own family tree has been incredible.

You never know what history—or family—you might uncover at the museum! If you’re curious about your own ties to the American Revolution, visit our Genealogy Library to access Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com for free, with expert volunteers ready to help!
Have you made a surprising discovery related to the founding of America?

07/22/2026

It's been a while, but is back! Can you guess what this item is? Answer will be revealed tomorrow!

07/21/2026

Due to today's forecasted rain, the Hendricks Cabin will NOT be open today. The Museum will be open regular hours.