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 NOVEMBER 2023
Remembering Danny Roberts ISMHS was deeply saddened by the recent passing of longtime staff member Danny Roberts. Danny passed away on Sunday, Nov. 19, in his home. He will be remembered by his family, including his wife, Cindy, mother, father, sister and twin brother, as well as his friends and the Franklin County community, which he served proudly and dutifully throughout his life. Danny worked for the museum system for more than 35 years, primarily based out of Whitewater Canal State Historic Site. In his role as the facilities manager, Danny used his wide range of skills and talents to take incredible care of our properties. “Danny is a significant loss to this institution and to all of us, personally,” said President and CEO Cathy Ferree. “Danny left a legacy. He left an example. He demonstrated what it meant to work hard, to care and to be loyal. That is something all of us can keep in our hearts.” Danny served the state museum system in many capacities during his tenure, helping regularly at Lanier Mansion and T.C. Steele
State Historic Sites, and assisting with projects throughout the state. However, it was at Whitewater where Danny’s lasting legacy will be felt the most. Danny made countless repairs to the oneof-a-kind historic structures in Metamora and Laurel, and took care of the 14 miles of canal and adjacent property. He also cared for the site’s American Belgian draft horses, steered the canal boat and led demonstrations for thousands of children. Always quick to lend a helping hand and never one to complain, Danny was dedicated and hard-working. Though he was a man of few words, those who knew Danny well will remember his genuine nature and kindhearted character. “It is really hard to find someone in a small town who is universally liked, but Danny in Metamora was that person,” said Chief Operating Officer Eric Todd. “You could count on him. He wouldn’t let you down. He always did his honest best and you knew you were going to get that from him. I know Danny will be missed for his hard work, his kindness and so much more that he brought to that town and that site.”
Clay County Perry County
Shelby Cou
nty
36 New Ornaments Complete Refresh of
Clinton Cou nty
Among the many beloved traditions of Celebration Crossing, the 92 County Tree has been greeting visitors at the Indiana State Museum’s Washington Street entrance since 2008. However, the tree has recently undergone a top-to-bottom refresh and now features completely new ornaments that will represent the counties for years to come. Mark Ruschman, ISMHS senior curator of art emeritus, began working with Indiana artisans in 2022 to design and create pieces that reflect their county. This year’s tree features 36 new ornaments, adding to the more than 50 ornaments that were unveiled during Celebration Crossing last year. A digital kiosk also allows visitors to look up and learn more about each county’s ornament as well as the artist who created it. Using a wide variety of materials and mediums, each artwork has been hand-crafted to represent significant natural and cultural features of their county. Among the many incredible new ornaments, Shelby County’s ornament was created by artist Shanae Dees. Titled “Echoes from Our Past, Whispers from our Future,” the piece is an artist book and
offers an unfolding experience as it displays portraits of influential Shelby County citizens. Made of air-dry clay built up on a foam base, the Clinton County ornament was created by mixed media artist Wendy Simon. It captures the landscape and integration of farming, industrial settings and common wildlife. Frankfort’s lights can be seen in the distance of this twilight sculpted painting that integrates past and present. The images chosen to represent Clay County’s natural beauty — a familiar white-tailed deer surrounded by corn stalks and the state-renowned tulip poplar tree — are also reflected by the wood materials artist Jennifer Harbour chose to make the ornament. The Perry County ornament was created using a unique design technique called sgraffito. Artist Nita Claise made scratches in the pre-fired clay surface to reveal images of prominent county landmarks and history, including the Celtic Cross overlooking the Ohio River as well as trees and wildlife of the Hoosier National Forest. Museum visitors can see the full 92 County Tree on display through Dec. 31 at Celebration Crossing.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT: CARA STROMAN One of the newest additions to the ISMHS staff, Cara Stroman was hired in mid-October as the corporation and foundation relations manager. In her role, she manages the grants that ISMHS submits and works to build relationships with different corporations and foundations that make grants. She is excited to be here and is passionate about the work that is being done.
Tell me about your family. I live with my husband, Jon, in MeridianKessler. Jon and I met in college at DePauw University and have been together for about 10 years. We have a very spoiled little fox terrier named Sadie that we adopted from IndyHumane.
What is your favorite hobby or leisure activity? I love crafts — my latest ventures have been needlepoint and crochet. I’m working on needlepointing a belt for my dad and crocheting a blanket for my mom and a sweater for my sister. I also love to cook and am a huge proponent of meal-prep. Fun fact: This year I hosted 11 family members for Thanksgiving, and we had spaghetti and meatballs to honor my Italian heritage (my maiden name is Bargiacchi).
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? I really want to visit Italy, of course, for all of the food, architecture and culture. I also want to visit the town where my ancestors lived called Lucca in Tuscany. I would like to return to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. Jon and I went on an amazing trip with eight friends from college in 2018 and had an amazing time backpacking through Southeast Asia. Angkor Wat was like nothing I’ve ever seen before, and I was in awe of how vast it is!
What was your favorite school subject and why?
What is your favorite holiday and why?
My favorite subject in school was history. I have great memories of visiting the Pink Palace (now the Memphis Museum of Science and History) weekly with my grandfather growing up. Being able to experience so many amazing exhibits and collections as a kid fostered my love of history. In high school, I founded a history club that planned our yearly Veteran’s Day program and led presentations about different historical topics. I also minored in history in college. I am interested in cultural history from all periods.
My favorite holiday is a tie between my birthday and Halloween. I love anything spooky, and I also love a good celebration!
What personal accomplishment are you most proud of? I am incredibly proud of my master’s degree. I completed it at night, while teaching elementary school during the day, which is also how my grandmother completed her degree. My grandmother always stressed the importance of education to me and having that connection to her is really special, especially now that she has passed.
Are you a morning or a night person? I am definitely an early bird. I work out at 5 a.m. two or three times a week. But I also love to sleep in on the weekends.
Where did you grow up? I grew up in a suburb of Memphis, Tenn.
What is your biggest fear — rational or irrational? My biggest fears are spiders, heights and the zombie apocalypse. I do not like the way that spiders move on their eight legs. Heights are self-explanatory. And the zombie apocalypse is from watching and reading too much of “The Walking Dead” in 2012.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten or given? The best piece of advice I’ve received was that you can only worry about what is in your locus of control. I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist, so thinking about this reminds me that I can only control what I can control.
What’s your favorite song? My favorite song is “Mr. Tambourine Man” by Bob Dylan. The lyrics are so poetic.
DECEMBER
NEW
CARLA ALLANSON
ISABEL BAKER
Visitor Services — 12 years
Celebration Crossing Intermittent
BETHANY THOMAS
LUCAS CALLAHAN
Programs and Education Engagement — 6 years
Celebration Crossing Intermittent
CHANYA SPURLOCK
BLYTHE HAGER
Visitor Services — 4 years
Celebration Crossing Intermittent
EVELYN TAYLOR
HANNAH LEWELLYN
Security — 2 years
Celebration Crossing Intermittent
ANNIVERSARIES
TEAM MEMBERS
MACKENZIE SCHULER
JANURARY
Program Developer, Angel Mounds
ANNIVERSARIES
Dates to remember
SHAWN HUDDLESON
Open through Dec. 31:
A/V — 35 years
CURT BURNETTE Limberlost — 12 years
CATE WHETZEL T.C. Steele — 9 years
JESSICA STEPHENS
Celebration Crossing (ISM)
Open through Feb. 15: Nikon Small World (ISM)
Dec. 1-3:
Christmas in New Harmony (New Harmony)
Dec. 2:
Cheers to the Holidays (Corydon)
T. C. Steele — 7 years
Dec. 3:
BRIAN MANCUSO
Dec. 3:
Engagement — 6 years
LAUREN OXLEY Gene Stratton-Porter — 4 years
MORGAN COFFMAN Programs and Education Engagement — 2 years
SHEREE COOPER Programs and Education Engagement — 2 years
MARNIE LEIST Lanier Mansion — 2 years
BRIANNE MCCORD Programs and Education Engagement — 1 year
PARIS WALTON Programs and Education Engagement — 1 year
A Dream of Beauty (GSP) Steele’s Country Christmas (Steele)
Dec. 15-16:
Krampusnacht (Culbertson)
Dec. 16:
Vincennes Holiday Program (Vincennes)
Dec. 25:
Christmas (state holiday)
Dec. 26:
Washington’s Birthday (state holiday)
Jan. 1:
New Year’s Day (state holiday)
Jan. 5 and 12:
Candlelight Tours (Coffin)
Jan. 15:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (state holiday)
Jan. 17:
Towers of Tomorrow opens (ISM)
Visit indianamuseum.org/calendar for a complete list of ISMHS programs and events!
INDIANA STATE MUSEUM AND HISTORIC SITES
IN THE NEWS
WISH-TV covering Santa's arrivial.
Click on the blue names below to see the news. The season of holiday happenings was the focus of media coverage across the state this month. For the opening day of Celebration Crossing, all five Indianapolis-area TV stations as well as the Indianapolis Star came out to cover Santa’s big arrival. Radio stations throughout the Bloomington area highlighted Celebration Crossing and Steele’s Country Christmas. Indy’s Child magazine and the Daily Journal also had preview articles on Celebration Crossing. With the refresh of the 92 County Tree, local news outlets also ran feature stories about some of the artists who made the ornaments, including the Greensburg Daily News and Eagle Country. Lanier Mansion was included in a story by WDRB in Louisville about the Nights Before Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes. To celebrate Native American Heritage Month in November, WEVV-TV in Evansville featured Angel Mounds during several live segments, including interviews with Southwest Regional Director Mike Linderman about the ongoing site renovations. The Cabin at Wildflower Woods and the history of Gene Stratton-Porter were featured in a travel story by the Current.
SHARE YOUR STORY IDEAS! Carla Knapp, Director of Communication | 317-234-8146 | cknapp@indianamuseum.org