Bartholomew County Historical Society

Bartholomew County Historical Society The mission of the Bartholomew County Historical Society is to discover, collect, preserve, and share

🪦 Talking Tombstones is TOMORROW!🪦 Friday, May 8th, 5:00pm - 8:00pm🪦 Get your tickets today!Come hear the stories of the...
05/07/2026

🪦 Talking Tombstones is TOMORROW!
🪦 Friday, May 8th, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
🪦 Get your tickets today!

Come hear the stories of these past residents of Bartholomew County. From the earliest pioneers to the first Mayor of Columbus to a World's Fair prize winning artist and children's book author, among many more!

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 night of the event - 5 and under free. Children 16 and under require a chaperone.

Advance tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite (at http://tiny.cc/TalkingTombstones2026) or in person at the following locations:

Bartholomew County Historical Society Museum, 524 Third Street, Columbus, IN

Visit Columbus, Indiana, 506 5th Street, Columbus, IN

Viewpoint Books, 548 Washington Street, Columbus, IN

Tickets will also be available at the gate of City Cemetery the night of May 8th.

🪦 Talking Tombstones is in TWO DAYS!🪦 Friday, May 8th, 5:00pm - 8:00pm🪦 We had two great days of rehearsals with the act...
05/07/2026

🪦 Talking Tombstones is in TWO DAYS!

🪦 Friday, May 8th, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

🪦 We had two great days of rehearsals with the actors this week! You're not going to want to miss our 4th annual Talking Tombstones!

Explore historic Columbus City Cemetery on a self-guided walking tour and hear tales of Bartholomew County from actors portraying past residents.

Hosted by the Bartholomew County Historical Society in partnership with the Columbus, Indiana Parks and Recreation Department, hear all-new stories and discover the secrets of those who came before us. It’s a cool way to spend your evening with friends and learn some local history in a relaxed, informal setting. Don’t miss out on this unique experience! Grin & Cluck will be selling food and drinks, so come hungry!

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 night of the event - 5 and under free. Children 16 and under require a chaperone.

Advance tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite (at http://tiny.cc/TalkingTombstones2026) or in person at the following locations:

Bartholomew County Historical Society Museum, 524 Third Street, Columbus, IN

Visit Columbus, Indiana, 506 5th Street, Columbus, IN

Viewpoint Books, 548 Washington Street, Columbus, IN

Tickets will also be available at the gate of City Cemetery the night of May 8th.

Talking Tombstones is a fundraiser for the Bartholomew County Historical Society and Columbus Parks Foundation!

Rain date is Thursday, May 14.
The event is self guided and the cemetery is not ADA accessible.

🪦 Talking Tombstones is NEXT FRIDAY! Want to win 2 free tickets? We will be giving away 2 free tickets on Instagram and ...
05/01/2026

🪦 Talking Tombstones is NEXT FRIDAY! Want to win 2 free tickets? We will be giving away 2 free tickets on Instagram and 2 free tickets on Facebook. All you have to do is like the post, comment, and tag someone on the BCHS page! Winner will be picked at random. Keep an eye on your DMs and good luck!

🪦 Friday, May 8th, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Explore historic Columbus City Cemetery on a self-guided walking tour and hear tales of Bartholomew County from actors portraying past residents.

Hosted by the Bartholomew County Historical Society in partnership with the Columbus, Indiana Parks and Recreation Department. Join us for a fun evening at the historic Columbus City Cemetery on May 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. Hear all-new stories and discover the secrets of those who came before us. It’s a cool way to spend your evening with friends and learn some local history in a relaxed, informal setting. Don’t miss out on this unique experience!

Grin & Cluck LLC will be selling food and drinks, so come hungry!

Advance tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite (at http://tiny.cc/TalkingTombstones2026) or in person at the following locations:

Bartholomew County Historical Society Museum, 524 Third Street, Columbus, IN

Visit Columbus, Indiana, 506 5th Street, Columbus, IN

Viewpoint Books, 548 Washington Street, Columbus, IN

Tickets will also be available at the gate of City Cemetery the night of May 8th. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 night of the event - 5 and under free. Children 16 and under require a chaperone.

Talking Tombstones is a fundraiser for the Bartholomew County Historical Society and Columbus Parks Foundation! Rain date is Thursday, May 14.

Come see our newest exhibit - Bartholomew County: A-Z. With every letter of the alphabet, you’ll learn something new abo...
04/30/2026

Come see our newest exhibit - Bartholomew County: A-Z. With every letter of the alphabet, you’ll learn something new about Bartholomew County!

See fascinating objects from our collection, meet interesting people, and hear unexpected stories from right in your own backyard.

Bartholomew County Historical Society Museum
524 3rd Street, Columbus, Indiana 47201
Tuesday - Friday
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Did You Know?Between 1919 and 1922, Columbus resident Max Terhune became known as the “Hoosier Mimic” and gained notorie...
04/28/2026

Did You Know?

Between 1919 and 1922, Columbus resident Max Terhune became known as the “Hoosier Mimic” and gained notoriety in the entertainment industry as an imitator, ventriloquist, and emcee. He frequently gave shows at the Crump Theatre & American Theatre in Columbus. In the early days of his career, Terhune was often introduced on the radio as “The man who fools the barnyard animals and makes a canary ashamed of its song.” He entertained on the radio by imitating not only birds and animals, but also musical instruments, machines, and trains. Terhune rose to fame making nearly 70 films with western stars of the 1930s and 40s, including a 1944 film, “White Stallion” which also starred former Columbus residents, Ken and Kermit Maynard, movie star cowboys and horsemen. Terhune was born in 1891 in a log cabin in Amity, Johnson County and he died in 1973 at his home in Cottonwood, Arizona.

🪦 Talking Tombstones is only TWO WEEKS AWAY! Get your tickets today!🪦 Friday, May 8th, 5:00pm - 8:00pmExplore historic C...
04/24/2026

🪦 Talking Tombstones is only TWO WEEKS AWAY! Get your tickets today!

🪦 Friday, May 8th, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Explore historic Columbus City Cemetery on a self-guided walking tour and hear tales of Bartholomew County from actors portraying past residents.

Hosted by the Bartholomew County Historical Society in partnership with the Columbus, Indiana Parks and Recreation Department. Join us for a fun evening at the historic Columbus City Cemetery on May 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. Hear all-new stories and discover the secrets of those who came before us. It’s a cool way to spend your evening with friends and learn some local history in a relaxed, informal setting. Don’t miss out on this unique experience!

Grin & Cluck LLC will be selling food and drinks, so come hungry!

Advance tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite (at http://tiny.cc/TalkingTombstones2026) or in person at the following locations:

Bartholomew County Historical Society Museum, 524 Third Street, Columbus, IN

Visit Columbus, Indiana, 506 5th Street, Columbus, IN

Viewpoint Books, 548 Washington Street, Columbus, IN

Tickets will also be available at the gate of City Cemetery the night of May 8th. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 night of the event - 5 and under free. Children 16 and under require a chaperone.

Talking Tombstones is a fundraiser for the Bartholomew County Historical Society and Columbus Parks Foundation! Rain date is Thursday, May 14.

Please note that some speakers will be located off the path, and only reachable via uneven ground. This event is not ADA accessible.

Did You Know?In 1974, designer Paul Rand created Columbus Indiana: A Look at Architecture, a chronicle of the city’s arc...
04/21/2026

Did You Know?

In 1974, designer Paul Rand created Columbus Indiana: A Look at Architecture, a chronicle of the city’s architectural history. The book’s cover had a pattern of C’s scattered across the front, which Columbus quickly embraced. More than 40 years later, Columbus residents still consider the design to be a part of their city’s fabric.

Community members joined us today to celebrate the completion of the "3rd Street Dancing Cs" mural by Samuel Crawford.
This vibrant work brings movement, color, and energy to downtown and reflects art's power to transform shared spaces.

Credit: Visit Columbus, Indiana & Columbus Area Arts Council

📷: Bartholomew County Historical Society

Notice - The museum will be closed on Thursday and Friday, April 16th and 17th, as we will be hosting Spring on the Farm...
04/15/2026

Notice - The museum will be closed on Thursday and Friday, April 16th and 17th, as we will be hosting Spring on the Farm for local students!

We will reopen Tuesday, April 21st. 10am to 4pm.

Come learn blacksmithing with us!Questions? Call 812-372-3541
04/09/2026

Come learn blacksmithing with us!
Questions? Call 812-372-3541

🪦 Talking Tombstones is back for 2026! 🪦Explore the historic Columbus City Cemetery on a self-guided walking tour and he...
04/08/2026

🪦 Talking Tombstones is back for 2026! 🪦

Explore the historic Columbus City Cemetery on a self-guided walking tour and hear tales of Bartholomew County from actors portraying past residents.

Hosted by the Bartholomew County Historical Society in partnership with the Columbus Parks & Recreation Department. Join us for a fun evening at the historic Columbus City Cemetery on May 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST. Hear all-new stories and discover the secrets of those who came before us. It’s a cool way to spend your evening with friends and learn some local history in a relaxed, informal setting. Don’t miss out on this unique experience!

Refreshments available! Grin & Cluck LLC will be selling food, so come hungry!

Advance tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite (at http://tiny.cc/TalkingTombstones2026) or in person at the following locations:

Bartholomew County Historical Society Museum, 524 Third Street, Columbus, IN

Columbus Visitors Center, 506 5th Street, Columbus, IN

Viewpoint Books, 548 Washington Street, Columbus, IN

Tickets will also be available at the gate of Columbus City Cemetery the night of May 8th. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 night of the event - 5 and under free. Children 16 and under require a chaperone.

Talking Tombstones is a fundraiser for the Bartholomew County Historical Society and Columbus Parks Foundation!

Rain date is Thursday, May 14.

Please note that some speakers will be located off the path, and only reachable via uneven ground. This event is not ADA accessible.

Address

524 3rd Street
Columbus, IN
47201

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(812) 372-3541

Website

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