This site is dedicated to American history enthusiasts that live in Bloomington and Monroe County, Indiana. There are so many great history programs from so many great places in town that it is hard to keep up with them all. This site will do it’s best to list upcoming programs, events, and newly published materials. Don’t forget, if you are on a computer, you can push “CTRL” and “F” to search the page for specific words.
Do you have an event, exhibit, or publication to submit? Scroll to the bottom!
UPCOMING TALKS AND EVENTS
All events are free and no ticket is needed unless stated otherwise.
To save space/scrolling, full event descriptions are not provided if there is a link to the event. Please follow the link for more information.
September 15, 2026, 6-7pm
Revolution for the Republic:
An Evening with Rick Atkinson
Join bestselling author and journalist Rick Atkinson for a conversation inspired by his latest book, The Fate of the Day.
This is a free, ticketed event. See link for tickets.
Indiana Memorial Union, Whittenberger Auditorium
September 15, 2026, 6:30 social, 7pm start
Reflections of the Civil War: The Life of William Henry Harrison Polhamus
Dr. Fred E. Leickly will be sharing stories and poems from his great-grandfather who served under General Sheridan in the Overland Campaign and was eventually captured and held in Pemberton Prison.
Monroe County Civil War Roundtable
Monroe County History Center, 202 E. 6th.
September 16, 2026, 6-7pm
Professor Paul C. Gutjahr celebrating his new book on how belief in extraterrestrial life has influenced American Religion.
See link for more details and tickets
Morgenstern Books, 849 S. Auto Mall Road
September 17, 2026, 6-7pm
Recollections of the Civil War — The Life of William Henry Harrison Polhamus
a presentation by Dr. Frederick Leickly
Monroe County Civil War Roundtable
Monroe County History Center, 202 E. 6th
September 17-21, 2026, 10am-6pm
Friends of the Library Big Fall History Book Sale (and other books too)
Monroe County Public Library, 303 E Kirkwood Ave
September 24, 2026, 4:30pm
The Declaration in a Time of Crisis
a presentation by Professor Konstantin Dierks, IU History
IU Lilly Library
See link for RSVP and more info
September 26th, 1-2:30
History Book Club: The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana Chambers
Monroe County History Center, 202 E. 6th
September 29, 2026, 12:15pm
The Lay of the Land: Geography and the Development of Manufacturing in Monroe County, 1820-1880
a presentation by Dr. David Nord, Monroe County Historian
Monroe County History Club
American Legion Post 18, 1800 W. 3rd St.
September 29, 2026, 6:30pm social, 7pm start
Book Discussion: Causes Won, Lost, and Forgotten: How Hollywood & Popular Art Share What We Know About the Civil War by Gary Gallagher
hosted by the Monroe County Civil War Roundtable
Heartworks Brewing Company, 1703 N. College Ave.
October 3, 2026, 10am-2pm
Headstone Restoration Workshop
Join the Monroe County History Center Cemetery Committee & the Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association to learn the basics of headstone cleaning and repair. Wear outdoor work clothes, bring work gloves and knee pads if you’d like. Please bring your own water and snacks.
Rose Hill Cemetery
October 7, 2026,1-2pm
Unlawful Advances: How Feminists Transformed Title IX with Author Dr. Celene Reynolds
a presentation by Celene Reynolds, Assistant Professor of Sociology
Kinsey Institute Guest Lecture
Via zoom and in-person and Lindley Hall 328 (register through link above)
October 7, 2026, 7pm
The Flying Ace (Richard E. Norman, 1926) Centennial Screening
a film screening with the Black Film Center & Archive
IU Cinema
see link for additional information
October 15, 2026,7:30pm
Freedom: The Troubled History of an American Ideal
a lecture by Professor Jefferson Cowie of Vanderbilt University
IU Department of History’s 39th Annual Paul V. McNutt Lecture
IMU, Tudor Room
See link for additional information and registration
October 20, 2026, 6:30pm social, 7pm start
Women in the Civil War
a presentation by Dr. Nicole Etcheson, Professor of History at Ball State University
Monroe County Civil War Roundtable’s Annual Wiley Lecture
Monroe County History Center, 202 E. 6th
October 27, 2026, 12:15pm
Lewis and Clark in Indiana
a presentation by Craig Fehrman
Lewis and Clark braved the Rockies and reached the Pacific — but a crucial part of their famous expedition came much earlier, in the Indiana Territory. Bloomington author Craig Fehrman will preview his new book on the expedition, share rare and historic images of the Ohio River Valley, and explain the often forgotten first leg of Lewis and Clark’s journey. Why did Lewis call a bunch of oxen the best “sailors in the present state of the navigation of this river?” Why did Lewis’ dog, Seaman, keep splashing into the Ohio? And why did Lewis and Clark almost certainly choose to camp on the river’s Indiana side? Fehrman will answer these questions and more.
Monroe County History Club
American Legion Post 18, 1800 W. 3rd St.
October 31st, 1-2:30
History Book Club: A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon
Monroe County History Center, 202 E. 6th
November 3, 7pm
Film: Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World
IU Cinema
1213 E 7th St.
See link for cost and tickets
November 5, 5:30pm
Resonances of the Declaration of Independence in American History
a lecture by Professor Konstantin Dierks
Lilly Library
See link for registration and additional information
November 18, 6:30pm social, 7pm start
Baseball in the Civil War
a presentation by John McGuigan
Monroe County Civil War Roundtable
Monroe County History Center, 202 E. 6th
November 25th, 12:15-1:30
Going to the City
a presentation by Dr. John Butler
A fully illustrated lecture covering 250 years of what going to the city has meant for Hoosiers in general and Monroe County in particular. The lecture will start before statehood and move through time to the 20th century. The talk will focus on trips to Vincennes, Cincinnati, New Orleans, Louisville, Chicago, and Indianapolis. Transportation topics will include paths, rivers, roads, railroads, and highways.
Monroe County History Club
American Legion Post 18, 1800 W. 3rd St.
November 28th, 1-2:30
History Book Club: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhhon
Monroe County History Center, 202 E. 6th
December 29th, 12:15-1:30
50 Years of Bloomington Restorations, Inc.
a presentation by Devin Blankenship
Monroe County History Club
American Legion Post 18, 1800 W. 3rd St.
January 19th, 6:30pm social, 7pm start
The Civil War Draft Riots
a presentation by Charlie Aiken
Monroe County Civil War Roundtable
Monroe County History Center, 202 E. 6th
January 26th, 12:15-1:30
Keeping IU in Bloomington – The 1854 fire, local donors, and free tuition for their descendants
a presentation by John Summerlot
Monroe County History Club
American Legion Post 18, 1800 W. 3rd St.
February 16th, 6:30pm social, 7pm start
Lincoln in Richmond
a presentation by Scott Schroeder
Monroe County Civil War Roundtable
Monroe County History Center, 202 E. 6th St.
February 23rd, 12:15-1:30
History of the Indiana Limestone Industry
a presentation by Dr. Clay Stuckey
Monroe County History Club
American Legion Post 18, 1800 W. 3rd St.
May 25th, 12:15-1:30
The Rest of the Story: Sarkes Tarzian’s Television Revolution and Bloomington Legacy
a presentation by Susan Snider Salmon
Monroe County History Club
American Legion Post 18, 1800 W. 3rd St.
RECENT BOOKS, VIDEOS, EXHIBITS, AND OTHER LINKS
Book: Making Indiana University: History, Landscape, and a Sense of Place
James Capshew, Ph.D.
Article: Omne Mali Avertam O Deus: The Civil War Diary of Theophilus A. Wylie, 1861-1862
Edited by Dawn E. Bakken, Justin Hawkins, and David A. Nichols
Article: “Finis, the end”: The Civil War Diary of Theophilus A. Wylie, 1863-1865
Edited by Dawn E. Bakken, Justin Hawkins, and David A. Nichols
Podcast (Video): America 250 (3 of 6): Indiana’s Patriots – How does Indiana’s connections to the Revolutionary War continue to shape institutions today?
Les Lenkowsky, John Summerlot, and James Capshew
Indiana Public Media
Video recording of the latest Monroe County History Club presentation:
presented by Dina Kellums
Video of Lt. Gerry Kisters historical marker dedication
led by David Nord, Monroe County Historian
video courtesy of CATS
Great news story about the Monroe County History Club:
Print story: Local club breathes life into Monroe County history
Video Story: Local club breaths life into Monroe County history
from Indiana Public Media
Exhibit: Join or Die: Revolutionary War Veterans Buried in Monroe County
Monroe County History Center
202 E. 6th St.
See link for hours. Exhibit is through December 31st.
Monroe County History Talk 