Monroe County History Center

  • 202 E. 6th Street
  • Bloomington, IN 47408
  • (812) 332-2517
Details

The mission of the Monroe County History Center is to collect, preserve, and present the genealogy, historical accounts, and artifacts of Monroe County in order to best depict the heritage & culture of the community. Housed within a historic limestone building initially erected as a Carnegie Library, the site has deeper roots as the location of early local educational establishments, including the Colored School, a segregated school for Black children during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Inside these walls, visitors can explore the vibrant history of Bloomington's limestone industry, the evolving landscape of Monroe County's transportation systems, the enduring legacy of local legends, from athletes to musicians, and an array of other captivating narratives. The Research Library offers a wealth of information on family genealogy and local history. Additionally, the History Center regularly hosts dynamic rotating exhibits, offering fresh perspectives and insights year-round.

Featured

Barns of Monroe County: Our Heritage Built in Wood

The shape and construction of a barn can tell the immigration story of the farmer who built it. Early white settlers to Monroe County were generally of English, Scottish, Irish, or German descent and their homes and barns reflected the building traditions of their respective cultural heritage.... Learn more

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Praise the Lord! The Precedence, Practitioners, and Power of Gospel Music in Bloomington

On campus and off, gospel music is thriving in Bloomington! In this exhibit guest curated by Dr. Alonza Lawrence, learn about the history and ongoing impact of several area choirs: IU’s African-American Choral Ensemble, Voices of Hope, and the choirs of Second Baptist, Bethel AME, and Lighthouse... Learn more

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Punk @ the Old Library

From the Gizmos to the Smears, punk has been alive and well in Bloomington for the last 50 years! Celebrate the scene that helps make Bloomington unique with this retrospective exhibit featuring bands, artwork, venues, and labels from the ‘70s to the early 2000s. Learn more

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Memory Walk

Memory Walks are a great way to share stories inspired by the History Center’s exhibit galleries! These dementia-friendly Memory Walks highlight objects on display while our own stories of Monroe County. Register to join the Memory Walk at monroehistory.org/livingwithhistory/. Memory Walks... Learn more

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All Pride, No Ego: A Conversation and Book Signing with Jim Fielding

Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/all-pride-no-ego-a-conversation-and-book-signing-with-jim-fielding Join the Monroe County History Center on Sunday, June 9th, 2024, for an unforgettable free event with IU alum and LGBTQ+ advocate Jim Fielding! Dive into Fielding's fascinating journey as... Learn more

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43rd Annual Garage Sale Extravaganza
  • Dates vary between June 14, 2024 - June 17, 2024
  • (812) 332-2517

June 12, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (early access day for current Cook employees & active MCHC members) June 14 & 15, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm June 17, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm The largest garage sale in Monroe County returns to 4015 Profile Parkway. The warehouse is packed with treasures that... Learn more

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Limestone Tour of Rose Hill Cemetery

Join members of the History Center Cemetery Committee for a tour of Rose Hill Cemetery! Learn about different headstone styles and carvings that are a part of our rich limestone industry history. To maintain an engaging conversation, tour capacity is limited to 20. RSVP for the tour at... Learn more

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Streetdance Rewind

The history of Bloomington Punk is still being written… at Streetdance Rewind, a FREE outdoor punk music festival in front of the Monroe County History Center. On Saturday, June 29th, join us on East 6th Street between Washington and Lincoln for performances by local bands, headlined by Yellow... Learn more

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