๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ค ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ #3 to EVERYONE who donated to this year’s ElmerJ Program for Griffith’s 3rd graders!
Here is another set of the THANK YOUs written by the 3rd graders to our volunteers who ran the successful event, and to YOU, who donated and completely funded this program, making it possible for EVERY 3rd grader to enjoy!
๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ค ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ #2 to EVERYONE who donated to help completely fund this program for Griffith’s 3rd graders!
Here are some more of the THANK YOUs written by the 3rd graders to our volunteers who ran the successful event, and to YOU, who donated and made this program possible for EVERY 3rd grader to enjoy!
๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ค ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ again to EVERYONE who donated to help completely fund this program for Griffith’s 3rd graders!
Our presentations and field trip days were a complete success, and this week, we’ll be sharing some of the THANK YOUs written by the 3rd graders to our volunteers who ran the event, and to YOU, who donated and made this program possible for EVERY 3rd grader to enjoy!
๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ค ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ! ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ค ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ!
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 Societyโs 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 townโs 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. 
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 โ 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 โ 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 โPreserve and Share the Stories of Griffithโs 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
๐ธ Find us at ๐๐ค๐๐ ๐ฃ ๐๐๐๐ก this weekend!! ๐
Grab your ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ณ๐ณ๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ ๐ฎ๐ด๐ป๐ฒ๐ ๐๐งฒ,
your ๐๐ถ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฆ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ง-๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฟ๐ ๐, (check out our SALE PRICE!)
and your ๐ฑ๐ฌ/๐ฑ๐ฌ ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ณ๐น๐ฒ ๐ง๐ถ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐!!
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!
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 schoolโs 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 โ 161 third graders โ 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.
Happy 4th of July from the Griffith Historical Society!
Our Hess Express Barrel Train has been a proud 4th of July parade participant for almost 10 years! 
And thanks to Strack & Van Til for donating candy for the parade!! 
Griffith History Museums 