Indianapolis Centennial Committee collection
Collection
Identifier: L322
Scope and Contents
This collection comprises a fragmented bound volume of correspondence, papers, pamphlets, photographs, financial records, reports, advertisements, and parade float number placards from the Indianapolis Centennial Committee in Indiana, ranging from November 17, 1919 to July 3, 1920, regarding the planning and organization of the six-day celebration held by the committee. The volume, entitled "Correspondence and Papers of Indianapolis Centennial Committee, 1919-1920," was apparently bound by the Indiana State Library in 1921.
Dates
- 1919-1920
Creator
- Indianapolis Centennial Committee (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Administrative History
The Indianapolis Centennial Committee began meeting November 17, 1919, including John H. Holliday (elected permanent chair) and other illustrious residents of the city, representing the Indiana Historical Society, the Indiana Board of Trade, Chamber of Commerce, Daughters of the American Revolution, the city of Indianapolis, and the Indianapolis Public Schools. Jacob P. Dunn was elected chair of the committee to select the date for the celebration and also of the History Committee. The Centennial Committee grew to encompass nearly two hundred people, with various responsibilities.
The celebration began June 5, 1920 at Tomlinson Hall, with other activities through the 9th, including a parade on the 7th, and the pageant on June 8th at the Indiana State Fair Coliseum. Compared to many of the statehood centennial celebrations, the Indianapolis centennial was not quite as reverent with its subject matter. Author William Bates felt that "quite a number of quaint and amusing things have happened in Indianapolis within the past hundred years, and if some of them have crept into this picture they may be welcomed by those who delight not in dry-as-dust annals." More attention was paid to early events rather than those remembered by living individuals, and "in doing so only a general sequence of events has been attempted, and the calendar has been condensed with a freedom bordering upon disrespect." Some of the events they portrayed included the following: an Indian chant; settling of pioneers; an attack by an Indian looking for whiskey; platting the town with a roll-call of prominent early settlers; an interpretive dance with the enemies of mud and malaria; finishing the Madison Railroad; the Civil War; a ballet of gifts to the city.
The celebration began June 5, 1920 at Tomlinson Hall, with other activities through the 9th, including a parade on the 7th, and the pageant on June 8th at the Indiana State Fair Coliseum. Compared to many of the statehood centennial celebrations, the Indianapolis centennial was not quite as reverent with its subject matter. Author William Bates felt that "quite a number of quaint and amusing things have happened in Indianapolis within the past hundred years, and if some of them have crept into this picture they may be welcomed by those who delight not in dry-as-dust annals." More attention was paid to early events rather than those remembered by living individuals, and "in doing so only a general sequence of events has been attempted, and the calendar has been condensed with a freedom bordering upon disrespect." Some of the events they portrayed included the following: an Indian chant; settling of pioneers; an attack by an Indian looking for whiskey; platting the town with a roll-call of prominent early settlers; an interpretive dance with the enemies of mud and malaria; finishing the Madison Railroad; the Civil War; a ballet of gifts to the city.
Extent
0.3 Cubic Feet (1 manuscript box)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by subject.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a records transfer from the Indiana Division.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Existence and Location of Copies
Digital reproductions of Indianapolis Centennial Committee scrapbook, 1919-1921 are available electronically in Indiana Memory: https://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16066coll38/id/832/rec/11
Historical Context Note
The Indiana State Library strives to provide extensive access to our diverse collections, in person and online. Materials within these collections appear as they were originally published or created and may include content that that some viewers find offensive or objectionable. These materials are preserved and presented to provide a true historical representation of their time and should be viewed in the context in which they were created.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2015/04/17 by Edythe Huffman. EAD finding aid created 2015/04/17 by Edythe Huffman. EAD finding aid revised 2025/01/15 by Brittany Kropf.
- Advertising
- Anniversaries
- Brochures
- Centennial celebrations, etc
- Correspondence
- Dunn, Jacob Piatt, 1855-1924
- Financial statements
- Holliday, John H. (John Hampden), 1846-1921
- Indianapolis (Ind.)
- Indianapolis (Ind.) -- Centennial celebrations, etc.
- Minutes (Records)
- Pageants
- Pamphlets
- Parades
- Photographs
- Scrapbooks
Creator
- Indianapolis Centennial Committee (Organization)
- Title
- Indianapolis Centennial Committee collection
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
