Mossy Feet Books – Author Paul R. Wonning
Books About Indiana History, United States History and Garden Guides
Local Lincoln historian George Honig suggested to the Spencer County Historical Society that a replica pioneer village be constructed to honor the memory of the county’s famous son, Abraham Lincoln, in the early 1930’s. That organization and the Rockport City Council supported the idea. Officials requested help from the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). Continue reading Podcast – Lincoln Pioneer Village & Museum
The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is a suitable memorial to the Sixteenth President, Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln spent his boyhood years on Spencer County and grew up in the land around the Lincoln Boyhood Memorial and Lincoln State Park. Continue reading Podcast – Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 April 15, 1865)
The son of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln, Abraham was native to Sinking Spring Farm near Hodgenville, Kentucky. Continue reading Podcast – Abraham Lincoln
Native tribes ceded the area to the United States in the Treaties of Vincennes 1803 and Fort Wayne in 1809. This area at the junction of the Wabash and Ohio Rivers was mainly wetland not suitable for farming and received the designation as swampland. The Wabash and Erie Canal Company received the land as a grant from the Congress on March 2, 1827. The canal company failed. A man named Charles J. Hovey received ownership of the land in the 1880’s. Continue reading Podcast – Hovey Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area – Mount Vernon
Philanthropist William Maclure established the Institute in 1838. The Working Men’s Institute inhabited a wing in the Harmonist Church until 1894. In that year, it moved to this impressive building three-story structure on Tavern Street. The Institute at one time comprised 144 Institutes in Indiana and additional sixteen in Illinois at its height. The Working Men’s Institute has dwindled to this location. This is the oldest continuously operating library in Indiana. Continue reading Working Men’s Institute Museum & Library
Jane Blaffer Owen (April 1915 – June 21, 2010)
The daughter of Robert Lee and Sarah “Sadie” Campbell Blaffer, Jane was native to Houston, Harris County, Texas. Her father was the founder of Humble Oil Company, which later became Exxon. She attended The Kinkaid School in Margaret Kinkaid’s home, which is a college prepatory school for children K – 12. She attended high school at Ethel Walker School in Connecticut, graduating in 1933. She later attended Bryn Mawr College and the Union Theological Seminary in New York. She married Kenneth Owen, who was a descendent of Indiana philosopher, manufacturer and social reformer Robert Owen. The couple would have 2 children. Kenneth was from the small Indiana town of New Harmony. Continue reading Podcast – Roofless Church in New Harmony, Indiana
Johann Georg Rapp founded the group that would become the Harmony Society in Iptingen, Germany, in 1785. The Lutheran Church persecuted the members, so they migrated to the United States. They purchased land in Butler County, Pennsylvannia on February 15, 1805. They formed the Harmony Society and placed all of their possessions in common. Continue reading Podcast – Harmonist’s Labyrinth at New Harmony, Indiana
The Cathedral Labyrinth at New Harmony, Indiana
Visitors will find both a labyrinth and a maze in New Harmony. Though many think they are the same thing, there is a difference in the two. A labyrinth has one winding path leading to the center of the structure while a maze has many paths, some of which are dead ends.
Today I will talk about labyrinths, next week it will be mazes.
Walking on a labyrinth symbolizes a spiritural journey or a quest for self-discovery. It is meant as a sort of walking meditation. Continue reading The Cathedral Labyrinth at New Harmony
Visitors will find the David Lenz House and Garden on North Street. The house is closed to the public, unless you take a guided tour, but the gardens are open to browse. Construction of the house occurred around 1819 by David Lenz. Continue reading Podcast – David Lenz House and Garden
County officials first met at the home Absalom Duckworth in the village of Blackford. They moved the county seat to Springfield in 1817. Mount Vernon became the county seat in 1825, where they constructed a small brick courthouse. The current courthouse was built in 1874. The three story Italianate style architecture building features red brickwork with details of Bedford limestone. Continue reading Podcast – Visiting Posey County, Indiana
The details of Thomas Posey’s parentage are uncertain. Historians know that he was native to a farm on the banks of the Potomac River near Mount Vernon. Rumors persist that he was the illegitimate son of George Washington, however no one has ever been able to either prove or disprove it. We know little of his early childhood except that Thomas enjoyed George Washington’s patronage as a child. Continue reading Sample Chapter – Thomas Posey
This episode tells the story of the legendary comedian, actor and television show host,Red Skelton. Red was born in Vincennes, Indiana. His birthplace, a museum dedicated to his life and an historical marker honoring him are all located near his birthplace. Continue reading Podcast – Red Skelton
Learn about Indiana’s early governors by reading the book, Indiana’s Governors – Book 1. The book provides biographies for the Territorial governors Arthur St. Claire of the Northwestern Territory to Indiana Territory governors William Henry Harrison and Thomas Posey of the Indiana Territory. The first seven governors of the State of Indiana from Jonathan Jennings to Paris C. Denning are also included. These were the governors that served Indiana residents from the time of the 1816 Constitution until the 1851 Constitution took effect. Continue reading Indiana’s Governors – Book 1
Located in Vincennes, Indiana, the USS Vincennes Monument is a granite monument located near the Old Cathedral near the intersection of Main and First Streets. T Continue reading Podcast – USS Vincennes Monument
What could be more fun than a cross-country road trip across Indiana? Discover Indiana’s covered bridges, wineries, caves and much more by taking one of the auto tours listed in this guidebook. The book lists over thirty Indiana road trips for Hoosiers to take while they learn the history, culture, arts and natural wonders of the Hoosier State. Fun Indiana Road Trips includes a description of the Auto Trail, contact information, Indiana county tourism sites and a guide to navigating Indiana’s system of back roads. Continue reading A Sampling of Indiana Auto Trails
On July 8, 1863, Confederate General John Hunt Morgan crossed the Ohio River at Brandenburg, Kentucky and invaded Indiana. His army consisted of two thousand cavalrymen and a couple of cannons. His purpose was to divert Union General Ambrose Burnside’s Army of the Ohio in eastern Tennessee and make them come north. Continue reading Podcast – The John Hunt Morgan Trail
Located near the Red House, the last building on the tour is the Eli Stout Print Shop. Mr. Stout served as the printer for the Indiana Territory. He received $500 per year to print the laws passed by the Territorial Assembly. The building originally stood on Second Street before the State moved it to this location. The shop has a printing press similar to the one Stout used. A fire in the print shop destroyed his press. The shop also has a replica newspaper of one he printed, type cases and other tools used by printers of that era. Continue reading Podcast – Eli Stout Print Shop
The buildings in the State Historic Site include a log barn that serves as a visitor center, a schoolhouse, the old Territorial Capitol and the Eli Stout Print Shop. The State of Indiana has moved all the buildings here from other locations and all are Indiana State Historic Sites. The tour costs a nominal fee and includes all four buildings. It will take about half an hour and is well worth the investment Continue reading Vincennes State Historic Sites
The Old Cathedral near the Wabash River in Vincennes, Indiana is an inspiring place to visit. The church is open to visitors during the daylight hours. Take care not to visit the church during Mass, as it is an active Catholic Church. The staff does offer guided tours, however, visitors may elect to tour on their own and that is what we did. Continue reading Vincennes Old Cathedral
The Nature Trail Head
The Violet and Louis Calli Nature Preserve consists of 180 acres. The trailhead for the self-guiding trail is adjacent to the parking lot on the same side of the road. The trail is just a bit over two miles long. There is a brochure available in a box at the trailhead that describes 18 stations along the course of the trail. There is also a notepad for you to register, just for fun. Continue reading Sample Chapter – Fun Indiana Road Trips
Mossy Feet Books - Author Paul R. Wonning 