Starke County
Historical Society

The annual meeting of the Starke County Historical Society will be held on November 10, 2026, in the Knox High School. Enter at Door 2H on the south side of the building - enter at ramp. Registration will be at 6:00 p.m., Starke County time. Bring a dish for the carry-in dinner. Fried chicken, beverages, and tableware will be provided. The dinner will be at 6:30 pm, with the meeting beginning at 7:00 pm. During the business meeting, officers and board members will be elected. Following the business meeting, selected members will share tidbits of Starke County history.

On Saturday, Nov. 14, both the Schricker House and the History Center will be decorated for Christmas. Everyone is invited to come to either or both sites between 11:00 am-1:00 pm to pose for Christmas pictures. Volunteers will be there to take photos with your phone or camera.

Join us for Trick or Treat at the Schricker House. The Schrickers enjoyed having neighborhood children trick-or-treat at their home. Mrs. Maude Schricker was known for her cookies while Governor Schricker liked to distribute Oh Henry bars to the children at Halloween. Whatever the treat, there will be no tricks. Time will coincide with Knox Trick or Treat hours

Join us for this year's annual cemetery walk in historic Oak Park Cemetery, located on the south side of Knox. This year, the walk will be held in conjunction with Knoxtober Fest. Reenactors will share information on former citizens - pioneers, veterans, and other townspeople who rest at the Oak Park Cemetery. The tour does involve walking around the cemetery.

In lieu of the annual ice cream social, we are hosting Starke County's America250 Birthday Bash on Sunday, July 5. Bring your own lawn chairs and celebrate from 1:00-3:00 PM. *Music provided by the Pulaski County Extension Chords & the Blue Holler Trio Bluegrass Band. *Free ice cream and cookies for everyone. *Free kids' games and activities provided by the Starke County Public Library. *The Hot Rod Power Tour Autograph Car is scheduled to be there. *Unveiling of the county's America250 mural.

Light to Unite Decorating Contest open to all Starke County. *Decorate your home for the 4th of July. *Take a photo and submit to echaja@northjudsonin.gov no later than June 26 *Photos will be posted on Facebook - voting will be on line the weekend of June 27-28 *Subject line must be"Light to Unite Entry" *Prizes will be awarded to the homes with the top three number of votes

The Starke County Historical Society and Starke County America250 are collaborating to provide historical programing at the 2026 Mint Festival in the North Judson-Wayne Township Public Library between 10:00-4:00 on Saturday, June 20. *Works from students from the three county high schools will be on display. *Reenactors will be on the grounds portraying historic figures from Starke County. *Speakers are scheduled to talk on the American Revolution. *At 3:00 Ken Walter will speak on his historic home in North Judson, often known as the Corbitt House. *A silent auction and activities will be in the library's lobby.

Free - Open to Everyone! Join us at the Bass Lake Beach for a historic reenactment of the Boston Tea Party presented by Knox Masonic Lodge #639 & North Judson Masonic Lodge #438. View historic figures as they fight against British taxation. Bring your lawn chairs and watch this historic, one-of-a-kind event. The reenactment will be followed by fireworks at dusk!

Beginning Thursday, May 7, the Schricker House will be open on the FIRST and THIRD Thursdays from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM May-September, 2026. Stop by to learn more about Indiana's only governor elected to two non-consecutive terms as well as life in small-town Indiana during the 1940's and 1950's.

Come to the Starke County Forest as we celebrate Arbor Day and American History. Vendors, booths and activities will take place during the day. North Judson Girl Scout Troop 53118 will be serving a light lunch to those attending our Arbor Day celebration (while supplies last). Starke County's Liberty Tree will be planted in the Starke County Forest on April 26, 2026. Gov. Henry Schricker planted the 10,000,000th tree in the Hoosier National Forest around Arbor Day, 1951 - 75 years ago. During the American Revolutionary War, the Sons of Liberty often convened under the nation's original Liberty Tree in Boston, to discuss their opposition to British rule in the colonies. This historic tree became a beacon of hope to colonists and a symbol of American freedom. Patriots throughout the 13 colonies later designated new Liberty Trees in each colony. In honor of America's 250th birthday, each county in Indiana will be planting a Liberty Tree in 2026.

What: "STARKE COUNTY TREASURES TOUR" When: Saturday, April 11 at 9:00 AM Where: Historic local sites in Knox, Aldine, North Judson, & San Pierre How: Tickets are available at the Knox and North Judson Public Libraries - $5 for adults; $2 for Preschool-12th Grade (children must be accompanied by an adult) Details: Starting at the Starke County History Center, ride a bus around Starke County. Guides from North Judson-San Pierre's AP American History Class will share information about many of Starke County's historic "Treasures".

Saturday, December 20, will be the last day of the 2025 season for the Starke County History Center to be open. It will reopen for the 2026 season in March.

CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE RESCHEDULED DATE HAS NOT BEEN CHOSEN YET. The annual meeting of the Starke County Historical Society will be held on Monday, November 10, 2025, in the Knox High School. Enter at Door 2H on the south side of the building - enter at the ramp. Registration will be at 6:00 p.m., Starke County time. This year we will return to a carry-in dinner. Fried chicken will be provided. The dinner will be at 6:30 pm, with the meeting beginning at 7:00 pm. During the business meeting, officers and board members will be elected. Following the business meeting, Bruce Johnson, LaPorte County Historian, will speak about the Kingsbury Ordnance Plant.

DUE TO THE CURRENT AND FUTURE WEATHER FORECAST, THE STARKE COUNTY HISTORY CENTER IS CLOSED TODAY - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2025

Join us for Trick or Treat at the Schricker House. The Schrickers enjoyed having neighborhood children trick-or-treat at their home. Mrs. Maude Schricker was known for her cookies while Governor Schricker liked to distribute Oh Henry bars to the children at Halloween. Whatever the treat, there will be no tricks. Time will coincide with Knox Trick or Treat hours

Teddy Bear Camp (from September 17-24) is available to teddy bears and other stuffies belonging to children in Kindergarten to 4th grade that want to learn more about Starke County History. To register, download the attached form to your computer, complete, and email back to schistorycenter@gmail.com.

Visitors have the opportunity to hear voices from the past at Starke County Historical Society's annual cemetery walk, "If Tombstones Could Talk 2025". This year, the walk will be at the Fletcher Cemetery on Saturday, August 16, 2025 in conjunction with the Yellowstone Trail Festival. Reenactors will share information on former citizens - pioneers, veterans, and other townspeople who rest at the Fletcher Cemetery. The tour does involve walking around the cemetery.

The annual ice cream social will be held the afternoon of Sunday, July 13. Ice cream will be served from 1:00-3:00 pm. A bagpipe band will provide entertainment in the afternoon.

Sallie LaRocco will be the speaker at the June 16 Starke County Historical Society meeting, speaking on historical preservation of homes and buildings. LaRocco is passionate about historic homes and buildings and wants to see them flourish. The program begins at 6:00 pm in the Schricker House at 401 S. Main St. The business meeting will follow.

The Society will have a booth in the lobby of the North Judson-Wayne Twp. Public Library from 10:00am - 2:00 pm. We will be asking people to share their stories and memories. The kick-off for the county’s America250 celebrations will be at the Mint Festival at 2:30. Speakers will share information on the semiquincentennial and local plans and musicians from all three Starke County high schools will perform, playing a variety of patriotic tunes. Also while you are in Norwayne Field, make sure to check out the historic trivia walk sponsored by the North Judson-Wayne Township Public Library.

On Saturday, June 7, 2025, history will come to life in the yard of the Schricker House. Living history interpreters will encourage visitors to participate in activities such as rope making, crocheting, etc. The Schricker House will be open.

On Saturday, May 3, come celebrate Earth Day and learn more about pollinators between 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Information on pollinators and how to create a pollinator garden will be presented. The Ober Arbor Gleaners will offer free saplings to the first 50 visitors. While there, tour the History Center to view the updated exhibits for 2025.

On April 26, take a trip back in time to the 1940's from 12:00-4:00 at the Schricker House. Military reenactors will share information and memorabilia about World War II. In the side yard, dance along with the sound of swing music. The home of Henry F. Schricker, Indiana's governor during World War II, will be open for tours.

The first event in Starke County celebrations of America’s 250th birthday will be “Two Lights for Tomorrow”. The 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s Ride is April 18, 2025. On Friday, April 18th and Saturday, April 19th, 2025, residents, businesses, and public sites across Starke County are asked to place two lights in a prominent window (preferably north or east) to honor that ride. To encourage participation across the county, Starke County Tourism is sponsoring a contest. Everyone, take a photo of your light display and post the photograph on the Starke County USA250 facebook site. People will then “vote” by liking their favorite display. The winner will receive a copy of the book “Paul Revere’s Ride” by David Hatchett Fischer, a Starke County flag, and a year’s membership in the Starke County Historical Society.

The Starke County History Center is scheduled to reopen for the 2025 season on Friday, March 28 at 10:00.

Pearl Harbor, the “day that will live in infamy" will be recognized and honored by a special event at the Schricker House and the Starke County History Center. Both Starke County Historical Society sites will be open on Saturday, December 7. From 10:00-1:00 at the Schricker House, reenactors will share information about World War II. The home of Henry F. Schricker, Indiana's governor on Pearl Harbor, will be open for tours. The Starke County History Center will also be open that day, featuring a display on the Kingsbury Ordnance Plant and other military memorabilia.

Following the business meeting, guest speakers Theodore (Ted) Hayes, Harold Welter, and Rich Wallen will talk about the history of local radio station WKVI from its beginning in 1969.

The Schricker House reopens to the public as a house museum, showcasing the family's life and the house as it would have appeared in the early 1950's.

The annual ice cream social will coincide with a festival celebrating SCHS's 50th anniversary. Vendors will be on the grounds of the History Center. There will be children's games. Antique vehicles (cars, trucks, tractors, and motorcycles) are encouraged to park on the grounds. The festival runs from 12:00-4:00 pm; free ice cream is served from 1:00-3:00 pm.

The Starke County Historical Society will celebrate its 50th anniversary on June 21st. A semi-formal dinner and dance will be held at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Hall, next door to the History Center. Doors will open at 5:30 pm Central Time. There will be a cost of $25 per person, with pre-registration required.

SCHS members will be in the lobby of the North Judson-Wayne Twp. Public Library from 10:00-3:00 listening to and sharing memories of local history.

The Starke County History Center reopens on Friday, March 15 for the 2024 season. The Center is open Fridays from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM.

This event is part of the celebration of the Starke County Historical Society's 5oth anniversary. Tickets will be available from Starke County Historical Society board members.

The Starke County Historical Society will host a cemetery walk on Saturday, September 30. Tours will begin at 1:30. The last tour will start at 2:30. Each tour is expected to last approximately 45 minutes.

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