I N D I A N A S TAT E M U S E U M A N D H I S T O R I C S I T E S
CROSSROADS EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2024
Sparking a Family Passion for Coverlets
John and Janet Simmermaker began collecting antique coverlets almost unexpectedly in 1972 when John Simmermaker’s grandmother was clearing her house of unwanted items, including an old coverlet that had belonged to his greatgrandmother. He convinced his grandmother to save the heirloom just as she was about to toss it onto a fire, and that sparked a passion that has lasted more than five decades. Since then, the Pulaski County couple and their children have collected more than 700 coverlets from the 1830s to the 1870s. Considered one of the country’s most respected coverlet collections, the John and Janet Simmermaker Family Collection stands out for its rare dyes, historical motifs and a nearly complete grouping of all Indiana’s known professional weavers. The family has generously donated 128 coverlets representative of every weaver in their collection to ISMHS, and now 32 of those have been selected for the new Woven Together exhibit, opening Feb. 3 at the museum.
“Through acquiring the coverlets from the Simmermaker collection, the museum system will have a coverlet example from every known Indiana Jacquard weaver.” “As proud Hoosiers, we are delighted to donate our 50-year collection of Indiana coverlets to the Indiana State Museum,” said John Simmermaker. “We wanted to make sure they would be saved for posterity, and we felt the museum would be the best place for them to remain safe, secure and visible for years to come.” Adding these beautiful pieces to the existing collection will not only help ISMHS share the story of 19th-century life in Indiana, it will also make ISMHS a hub for research and study about coverlets as well as the weavers who made them. “Through acquiring the coverlets from the Simmermaker collection, the museum system will have a coverlet example from every known Indiana Jacquard weaver,”
said Curator of History Mary Figueroa, who curated Woven Together. She added that ISMHS aims to create an index of coverlet patterns and motifs to assist researchers. Museum visitors can also learn about Indiana’s rich weaving traditions through Woven Together. The exhibit will feature coverlets with an array of vivid colors, mainstay materials and astounding patterns. It will also share the stories of Hoosier weavers, most of whom left Europe during the Industrial Revolution with hopes of revitalizing their trade in the United States. “This exhibit will give visitors a sense of the industrial changes that took place during the mid-19th century in Indiana,” said Figueroa. “Woven into these coverlets are clues that hint at a gradual move away from the homespun and handwoven toward an Indiana where manufacturing and innovation was beginning to take hold. More broadly, I hope Woven Together will spark visitors’ interest in textile history and an appreciation for the artistry and labor of weaving.”
STAFF SPOTLIGHT: PAULA KATZ Paula Katz joined ISMHS in January as the new senior curator of art. In her role at the museum, Paula oversees and acquires new pieces for the fine art collection. She also shares her knowledge and passion for the fine art world by advising on educational programs, exhibitions and museum activities.
Tell me about your family. I have been married to my husband for eight years. We have two boys, ages 7 and 5, and three dogs.
What was your favorite school subject and why?
What is your favorite holiday and why?
History. It just came naturally for me to remember dates and events.
Halloween. It’s also my wedding anniversary.
Where did you grow up?
What is your favorite hobby or leisure activity?
Are you a morning or a night person?
Going out to see live music, especially in the summer months when you can be outdoors. This year we are really excited for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Night. Night. Night. It is so hard for me to go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Andover, Massachusetts. I still say that summer in New England is my absolute favorite weather. Fall in Indiana is a close second.
What is your favorite movie, TV show or book?
What do you value most in a friend or partner?
I don’t know that I have a favorite, but I will watch any cinematic adaption based on a Jane Austen novel.
A sense of humor. I am very sarcastic and love to laugh. I think that humor helps you get through the best times and the worst.
What’s your favorite quote or song lyric?
What is your biggest fear — rational or irrational?
One quote that is tops for me and a reminder to be open to the surprises life brings comes from Japanese writer Haruki Marukami: “Whatever it is you're seeking won't come in the form you're expecting.”
I don’t know if this is my biggest fear, but I refuse to take my car through a carwash. I’m convinced I’ll do something wrong. When my husband gets my car washed for me, it’s so appreciated.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? I want to go so many places. New Zealand and Australia are at the top of the list. I love trips where I can hike and be out in nature while also visiting urban locations with lots of museums!
SECURITY UPDATE Strengthening ISMHS Security Through Collaborative Partnerships In an era marked by evolving security threats, ISMHS recognizes the importance of collaborative approaches to enhancing its security posture. ISMHS is partnering with local law enforcement agencies and private security firms to ensure the museum system and its employees are empowered to proactively safeguard against security threats. ISMHS’ information sharing agreement with law enforcement allows the organization to tap into specialized knowledge and resources that can bolster its security efforts. This invaluable expertise these partnerships offer can help ISMHS mitigate risks and safeguard the visitors, staff and assets. Law enforcement's investigative capabilities and access to intelligence networks also enable them to identify and respond to potential security threats more effectively.
with Tyriee and Dustin
Moreover, law enforcement agencies can provide guidance and training on security best practices, helping to ensure that staff are adequately prepared to prevent and respond to security incidents. This collaborative approach fosters a culture of vigilance and preparedness among staff. Additionally, partnering with private contract security firms and industry experts can further enhance ISMHS security capabilities. By offering specialized services such as onsite security personnel, advanced surveillance systems and tailored risk assessments, private firms can help address ISMHS’ more unique security needs. By leveraging the expertise and resources of law enforcement agencies and security partners, ISMHS can strengthen its security infrastructure and better protect its staff, visitors and invaluable collections for future generations to enjoy.
Director of Security Tyriee Love
Security Manager Dustin Chavez IMPORTANT NUMBERS TO PUT IN YOUR PHONE
Security Non-Emergency 317.234.2454 Security Emergency 317.234.2455 After-Hours Security Mobile 317.509.5396
NEW
TEAM MEMBERS CHLOE FELLWOCK
JASON MORRISON
Social Media and Communication Manager
Fabricator/Carpenter
PAULA KATZ
MACKENZIE SCHULER
Senior Curator of Art
Program Developer, Angel Mounds
FEBRUARY
Dates to remember
REBECCA MCGOVERN
Through May 12
ANNIVERSARIES Engagement Specialist – 1 Year
MARY SHAW Sales/Ticket Sales Associate, Indiana Store – 1 Year
AMANDA WOLLENWEBER Out-of-School-Time Program Manager – 1 Year
JORDAN HILLMAN Engagement Specialist – 2 Years
GREGORY ROSHEL Historic Site Interpreter, T.C. Steele SHS – 2 Years
SARA JOHNSON Security Specialist – 2 Years
DUSTIN CHAVEZ Security Manager – 11 Years
TIFFANY PARKER Northern Regional Director, Gene Stratton Porter SHS and Limberlost SHS – 12 Years
MICHELE GREENAN Director of Archaeology – 22 Years
KISHA TANDY Curator of Social History – 22 Years
Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks (ISM)
Opening Feb. 3
Woven Together (ISM)
Feb. 3
Reading About Freedom: Can I Touch Your Hair? (Coffin)
Feb. 10
Victorian Floriography (Lanier Mansion)
Feb. 16-18
GeoFest (ISM)
Feb. 17
Presidents’ Day Puppet Show (Corydon Capitol)
Feb. 19
Presidents’ Day (most locations)
Feb. 21
Restoration Tour (Culbertson Mansion)
Feb. 22
The Unmasked Project: The Anti-Lynching Exhibits of 1935 and Community Remembrance in Indiana (Coffin)
Feb. 23
The Art Connection (Steele)
Feb. 24
The Princess Academy (Vincennes)
Visit indianamuseum.org/calendar for a complete list of ISMHS programs and events!
INDIANA STATE MUSEUM AND HISTORIC SITES
IN THE NEWS
Nicole Rife on Fox 59 promoting summer camps.
Click on the blue names below to see the news. Celebration Crossing was featured in segments on Fox 59’s Where’s Sherman and WLFI, as well as in stories in the Indy Star, the Republic, Indy’s Child and the Lebanon Reporter. Plus, Dave Calabro brought WTHR’s “Good News” to ISM to capture visitors’ joy during the holiday season. And Great Day TV shared memories from the L.S. Ayres Tea Room. The Greensburg Daily News, Eagle Country Online, News Examiner, the Madison Courier, the Greenfield Reporter and The Brazil Times celebrated local artists who created ornaments featured on the 92 County Tree. Highlighting holiday events at the historic sites, KPC News previewed the annual “A Dream of Beauty” event at GSP while Cincinnati.com put a spotlight on holiday magic at Whitewater Canal during Christmas in Metamora. WTHR and WISH spread the word about ringing in the new year early at the museum’s Family New Year’s Eve party. WRTV, WISH, Indy’s Child and WTHR featured TAY/gate, ISM’s tailgating-themed event celebrating Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour coming to Indianapolis. WNIN and TristateHomepage.com ran stories on the winter solstice viewing at Angel Mounds, while 14 News covered the New Year’s Day scout-led hike at the historic site. Multiple news outlets, including Indy Star, the Daily Journal and WRTV previewed the Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities happening at ISM while the Courier Journal highlighted the free admission day at Corydon. WISH and 14 News listed the museum and Angel Mounds as prime locations where you could watch the solar eclipse. Fox 59 highlighted the museum’s education initiatives with segments about the early childhood programs at Firefly Landing and summer camps. ISM’s engaging new exhibit, Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks, received coverage from multiple media outlets, including Indy’s Child, Fox 59, WISH and the Daily Journal. 14 News and WTHR highlighted an addition to the Lincoln Cabin area at ISM, a chest handmade by Thomas Lincoln, President Abraham Lincoln’s father.
MEMBER PREVIEW EVENT
SHARE YOUR STORY IDEAS! Carla Knapp, Director of Communication | 317-234-8146 | cknapp@indianamuseum.org