victoriavm Activities, Blog Posts, fundraiser, Griffith Depot and Historical Park, Support the Depot, Support the Historical Society

Thank You!!

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮! 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮!

Our goal was accomplished thanks to YOU!

The Griffith Historical Society is proud to announce that participation by Griffith Public Schools third-grade classes in the Society’s ElmerJ Program this coming September has been totally underwritten by donations from our members, Griffith Public School graduates, and others.

The two books and the cost of the bus for the field trip to our Griffith Historical Park will be free for all students!

The ElmerJ Program, named for town founders Elmer and Jay Dwiggins, was instituted in 2022 by the Griffith Historical Society to help students learn about the history of their town, which is part of their Social Studies curriculum. The program includes an introductory, in-school PowerPoint presentation, after which each class gets a guided tour of the Depot, railcars and Tower at the Griffith Historical Park.

Two books on railroad and Griffith history, created by the Society, are given to the students, as well as primary-source stories of growing up in Griffith, written by the grand-daughter of the town’s first settlers.

This is the first year we asked for donations to underwrite the ElmerJ Program, and we are so grateful to our members, GPS graduates, and others for their donations. From the beginning, Griffith townspeople cared about schools and the children who attended them, and it continues today. 💛🖤💛

victoriavm Activities, Blog Posts, fundraiser, Griffith Depot and Historical Park, Support the Depot, Support the Historical Society, Support the Rail-Cam, Volunteer

Standing Committees (Ways You Can Volunteer!)

We are always up to something at the Historical Society. We are constantly looking for ways to keep up our efforts to preserve Griffith’s historical records and stories, and publicize and fundraise for our efforts!

These are our standing committees, for which we ALWAYS accept new volunteer help!
Please contact us at [email protected] or come to a monthy meeting, if you’d like to volunteer!

STANDING COMMITTEES : Functions and responsibilities (see current By-laws for additional information)
1. Audit: on-going and year-end audit of financial records. Real time auditing of on-going operations vs. strategic planning to offer recommendations to Board of Directors
2. Railroad Depot Curator: plans and develop programs, displays and plans for public access to the Historical Park and Depot to share the stories of Griffiths Heritage. Monitors and keeps records of museum assets.
3. Franklin Museum Curator: plans and develop programs, displays and plans for public access to the Franklin Museum to share the stories of Griffiths Heritage. Monitors and keeps records of museum assets.
4. Newsletter: collects and creates information about the GHS to plan for and publish a membership Newsletter. Goal to publish three times per year – Mar, Jul and November
5. Programs: Plans for other special programs for both museums, Depot & Franklin in coordination with other Historical Societies
6. By-Laws: provides year-end and on-going review of all Bylaw Articles for required timely updates and republishing if and as required
7. Ways & Means: coordinates development of new fundraising programs to support GHS operations and its projects, programs & event priorities.
8. Special Event Chairpersons
a. Raffle Sales: 50/50 Super 7 yearly raffle
b. Rock & Rail Fest (Aug)
c. Annual Meeting / Dinner (Nov)
d. Santa in The Caboose (Dec)
e. Oral History Project / Golden Senior Interviews
9. Barrel Train Coordinator: (Mar – Oct) Plans and coordinates operations and continued maintenance of the GHS Barrel train amusement ride.
10. Merchandise / Purchasing Agent: Plans for on-going purchases or expenses required. Tracks completion and reports to Treasury
11. Maintenance: Plans and Coordinates all Park, Museum, RR & other equipment maintenance, repairs & upgrades. Reports schedule and plans to BOD monthly.
12. Publicity / Communications: Plans for and coordinates all local, area and Social Media Communications, Plans, projects and programs to inform and promote the public about the Operation and activities of GHS to “Preserve and Share the Stories of Griffith’s Heritage..
13. Nominating Committee: Committee and Chairman appointed by Sept.1 by President. Solicit and recommend candidates for all Officers and open Director positions of the Society by November 1, 2024
14. Strategic Planning: Provides assistance in the development coordination, facilitation and integration of strategic planning into active and on-going operations of the GHS and its Officers, directors and member

victoriavm Activities, fundraiser, Rock N Rail, Support the Depot, Support the Historical Society, Support the Rail-Cam

Rock n Rail 2024

🎸 Find us at 𝙍𝙤𝙘𝙠 𝙣 𝙍𝙖𝙞𝙡 this weekend!! 🚆

Grab your 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘁 🚂🧲,
your 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗧-𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝘁 👕, (check out our SALE PRICE!)
and your 𝟱𝟬/𝟱𝟬 𝗥𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 🎟!!

Your purchases and donations go directly to helping maintain our Franklin Museum and Depot/Train Park! We are all volunteers and we appreciate your support!

victoriavm Activities, Blog Posts, Support the Depot, Support the Historical Society

Preserving History Networking Seminar

A little catch up on our summer activities:

On Wednesday, June 5th, Griffith Historical Society Board Members Martha Gatlin, Karen Kulinski, Belinda Stark, and Ken Karlstedt, Sr. attended Cedar Lake Historical Association’s Afternoon at the Lake. They were there with other volunteers and professionals from Calumet area historical organizations to participate in a “Preserving History Networking Seminar” .

Thank you to everyone for sharing your knowledge and insight with us!

victoriavm Activities, Blog Posts, Sundays at the Depot, Support the Depot, Support the Historical Society, Support the Rail-Cam

Recap: Sundays at the Depot; Moving Freight Along the Great Lakes

Thanks again, to photographer Max Crosby, for filling our Depot Museum and Historical Park with his incredible photos of magic moments on the rails. We loved your dynamic images and the amazing turnout you brought with you.

Thank you to Griffith Daisy Troop 15620, Cub Scout Pack 622, and Boy Scout Troop 623 for providing refreshments!

It was a wonderful weekend!

Check out more of Max’s work:
https://youtube.com/@peremarquette1223?si=3VYUDQFa2D7fRJnt

victoriavm Activities, Blog Posts, fundraiser, Support the Depot, Support the Historical Society

Help us share Griffith’s history with its students

An Appeal to Griffith Historical Society, Inc. Members,

Every now and then an opportunity arises where we can contribute to the education of young students in Griffith. We have that moment this coming September.

All Griffith third-grade students since 2022 participate in a week-long Historical Society activity entitled, The ElmerJ Program, which provides historical information about our town as part of the school’s Social Studies curriculum.

The students see/hear an in-class PowerPoint presentation about the founding of Griffith, complete with photos and maps. This is followed by a school bus trip to our Historical Park, where each class receives a guided tour of our Depot, railcars and Tower.

While the presentation and tours are done at no cost by Historical Society members, there is a fee for the bus and for the two paperback books pertaining to Griffith history that are part of the program.

Last year, 8 classes — 161 third graders — participated, and the school anticipates a similar number this year. The cost last year for the book and the bus came to $7, but these costs may rise some this year.

To make sure that no student misses out on learning about their town, we are trying to fund the cost for all students through extra donations from our Members.

If you’d like to help, please, can you send a donation to:
Griffith Historical Society, Inc.
201 N. Griffith Blvd. #3
Griffith, IN. 46319

Or through our online donation link (click here).

Thank you,
Martha Gatlin, Director

Read about last year’s field trip here.

victoriavm Activities, Sundays at the Depot, Support the Depot, Support the Historical Society

Clickety Clack!  A Camera Down the Tracks

Come down to the Griffith Historical Park to view a special photography display, “Moving Freight Along the Great Lakes”, from 1 to 4 p.m., on June 15th and 16th.  

The work showcases the railroads of the Great Lakes Region in action, moving freight forward to destinations all over the country. 

Max Crosby, the photographer, has loved trains for longer than he can remember, and is passionate about capturing magic moments on the rails. He is talented, knowledgeable and has a wonderful eye for new and fresh compositions.

The photographs, a sample shown below, will be displayed colorfully and dynamically, along with descriptions throughout our iconic sleeper car. Guests can linger, experiencing trains, history, and pondering what it REALLY takes to move freight among the Great Lakes.

Our Grand Trunk Western Depot will be open, as well as our Road Caboose and Tower (which is celebrating its 100th birthday!)

Griffith Daisy Troop 15620 will have cookies and lemonade for sale on Saturday.

On both weekend days, Cub Scout Pack 622 and Boy Scout Troop 623, will be on hand selling hot dogs and chips, and pop on Sunday. Picnic tables will be available.

victoriavm Activities, Central Market, Support the Depot, Support the Historical Society, Support the Rail-Cam

First Barrel Train; Last Franklin Museum Day

📅First and Last of the Season!!

Friday:
🗣The Hess Express is back!
🚂Come ride the barrel train at Central Market!
🕰4:30 ‐ dusk (weather permitting)

Saturday:
🏃🏽‍♀️Last chance to check out our museum rooms at Franklin Center!
(Until September, that is!)
🏫Saturday, May 18th
🕰11 am – 3 pm
🚪Enter door G

victoriavm Activities, Santa in the Caboose, Sundays at the Depot, Support the Depot, Support the Historical Society, Support the Rail-Cam

Santa in the Caboose!🎅🚃

🎅𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲!🚃

Join us!!

🎄Saturday, Dec 9 (10am – 4pm) & 🎄Sunday, Dec 10 (Noon – 4pm)

❄️Give a donation, enjoy a private visit with Santa
❄️Take photos & video, we’ll take a family picture for you
❄️Our Holiday Bake Sale in our Depot, plus:
❄️ Daisy Troop 15620, with stocking stuffer snacks
❄️Brownie Troop 35647, with ornaments/decorative candle jars
❄️Cub Scout Pack 622 & Boy Scout Troop 623, with hot dogs, & hot chocolate, and holding a clothing drive for Sojourner Truth House in Gary!