Memberships at Johnson County Museum of History

Members of the Johnson County Historical Society help fund the Johnson County Museum of History and preserve the objects and ideas that make up the rich history of this county. With your  membership, you’ll receive our quarterly publication Nostalgia News, a 10% discount in the gift shop, and mailings about upcoming events.

You may purchase a membership in person, through our online store, or by calling at (317) 346-4500.

The Johnson County Historical Society also offers HYPstory: History for Young Professionals. HYPstory meets throughout the year and offers engaging, fun events for young professionals.

Call the museum at (317) 346-4500 for more information, and check our online calendar for future program dates.

Why Support the Johnson County Historical Society?

• For its dedication to Johnson County history.
  Its mission statement is “The Johnson County Historical Society is a non-profit, educational institution whose purpose is to collect, preserve, interpret, and promote the material culture of the Johnson County region.” We had just under 9,000 visitors in 2014, and 10,000 in 2015. We are also ALWAYS free.
• For its maintenance of historical documents and artifacts.
  Currently there are over 57,000 artifacts in the museum collection, including clothing, furniture, paper documents, photographs, books, tools, clothing, and many, many other items. With temperature and humidity control, plus archival storage procedures, we hope to preserve your history for many decades.
• For its educational benefits.
  We employ an education coordinator whose job is to provide outreach to local schools, guide tours for visiting field trips, work with teachers on lesson-planning to meet state standards, and direct our annual History Camp in July. In 2014, we reached over 1000 school children through tours, visits to schools, and History Camp.
• For its interpretation of history through exhibits.
  We have artifacts from our collection displayed in our various exhibit galleries: Early Inhabitants, Pioneer Settlers of Johnson County, The Civil War, The Victorian Era, In the Business of Health (pharmacy and doctor’s office), Camp Atterbury, The Fabulous Fifties, Education in Johnson County, Military History, and the Van Arsdales.
• For its history-directed programming.
  Story-telling series with Historical Re-enactors
  History camp speakers
  Heritage Day
  Victorian Valentines
• For its service to the community.
  Temporary exhibits (3-4 months) of works by local artists
  Meeting room for business and civic groups to meet
  Concerts in our auditorium
  Artisan Market as retail outlet for local artists
  Dec-a-Tree Contest in December with monetary prizes for local non-profits
  Visit with Santa
• For its genealogy library.
  We have original Johnson County Court records, family files, family books, Census information, yearbooks, city directories, funeral home records, cemetery records, and many, many more primary and secondary records. We also provide free use of Ancestry Library Edition.  A volunteer is always available to help.
• For its newsletter Nostalgia News.
  This 24-page quarterly is mailed to our members. It not only keeps members up to date on current events at the Museum but also includes family stories and historical pieces.