Press Release              Event Date:  March 14, 2016

 

For further information contact Mary Chrastil, 260-982-0672 nmhistory@cinergymetro.net; or  marygrace1066@gmail.com

 

 

Historical Society Brings Bicentennial to North Manchester

 

Indiana’s Bicentennial Celebration kicked off on Statehood Day, Dec. 11, 2015, and will continue to a grand finale weekend December 10 and 11, 2016.  On Monday, March 14, the North Manchester Historical Society is pleased to host Perry Hammock, Executive Director of the Indiana Bicentennial Commission.  Hammock will tell how the state aims to honor its 200 years of history, engaging all 6.5 million Hoosiers and leaving lasting legacies for future generations. He will talk about some of the wonderful projects underway, special dates and celebrations, and ways for all to be involved in this singular moment in Indiana history.  The Bicentennial Commission works with volunteer coordinators in every county to identify projects that are worthy of designation as “Official Bicentennial Legacy Projects.” To date, 814 projects have been endorsed representing all 92 counties.

 

Bicentennial celebration is not limited to the state level.  There are six Official Bicentennial Legacy Projects in Wabash County, four of them in North Manchester.  Many other events and projects are being planned.  Laura Rager, Executive Director of the North Manchester Chamber of Commerce, will talk about local Legacy projects and other coming events.  Rager serves on the Wabash County and North Manchester Bicentennial Committees.  Mary Chrastil, President of the North Manchester Historical Society, will finish the evening by presenting Historical Society projects, in particular a new crowd sourced genealogy project.

 

Prior to coming to the Commission in March of 2014, Hammock spent 33 years at Ivy Tech Community College, the bulk of that time as Executive Director of Ivy Tech Foundation.  He has served on statewide, national and international boards, including eight years on the board of directors of CFRE International, the global credentialing body for fund raising professionals.  Perry is a farm kid and Indiana native.  He holds bachelors and masters degrees from Purdue University.    He is married to Chris, a middle school history teacher, and has a daughter, Emily and son-in-Law Matt.

 

The program will be held in the Assembly Room at Timbercrest Retirement Center, 2201 East Street, at 6:40 p.m.  There is no cost for the program, which is free to the public.  All are welcome.  While many attend only the program, the public is also invited to come to the Assembly Room at 6 p.m. for a meal prior to the presentation.  For those who wish to attend the dinner, reservations must be made no later than noon on Friday, March 11.  The cost of the meal is $8.50.  Reservations may be made by calling Evelyn at 260-982-6777, or the Center for History at 260-982-0672.