Collections
The many hundred pages of the William Kinzer journals (1857-1912) comprise
the largest collection of early to late 19th century documentation owned
by the Society. William Kinzer was the oldest son of the family who arrived
in the 1820s as among the first to settle in present Clay Township. The
Kinzer family collection also includes many letters and record books and
period photographs. In the absence of local newspapers (only a few have
been located), the Kinzer Collection serves significantly to inform of
mid 19th century local history through the turn of the 20th century.
Other collections include similar (though not so large) record groups of manuscripts, photographs and diaries depicting eras of the 19th and 20th centuries. The Society’s photograph collection includes a few hundred views of Carmel and present Clay Township and its residents. The Society also owns many period maps of the locale as well as a collection of typical books to be found in area homes over the decades.
The Brown/Brunner Collection includes many records of local schools, many dozens of period clothing items, photographs and instructional materials about “home economics” as once taught in local schools. The collection is named for long time schoolteacher Olive Brunner and the Brown family of which she was a well known member.
The Rohrer Monon Railroad Collection includes an assortment of memorabilia of this once important all-Indiana trunk line from the Ohio River to Lake Michigan and Chicago. The railroad’s “Air Line” was constructed through Carmel in 1883 and served the community with passenger service (discontinued in the 1960s) and freight service (disbanded in the early1970s). The collection includes many work orders for freight service in Carmel, blank forms used by Monon employees, and several railroad artifacts of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Society’s collections are open for use ( and, generally, copying)
by scholars, genealogists and others who wish to conduct historical studies,
research or family histories. Prior arrangements for use are recommended
so that suitable reference service can be offered by Society staff and
volunteers.
The Society welcomes original materials (or copies of journals, diaries, photographs, etc.) for the use of members, historians, genealogists and all who wish to conduct historical research and study.
