Women’s History Month: The Woman’s Literary Club of Corydon

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Contributed by Teresa Douglass, Genealogy Specialist

In March, we will celebrate Women’s History Month by taking a look at the lives and contributions of women throughout Harrison County’s history. This week we feature The Woman’s Literary Club of Corydon, which was established in 1878 and was one of the earliest such organizations in the state. The club emerged through the efforts of Anna VanZandt Applegate, who wanted to keep herself intellectually challenged and knowledgeable in addition to fulfilling her roles as wife and mother. She gathered likeminded women in the community to form the club, which was at times called the “Spare Minutes Club.”

The club studied a wide variety of classical literature as well as contemporary works. The women took their work seriously and expected each member to come to meetings not only having read the literature under current study, but also to be well prepared to discuss at length the themes, plot, and characters of the work. They also set aside a portion of their time to discuss current events. Topics ranged from national and world politics and events to arts and culture and scientific discoveries. for example, among the many topics discussed in 1898-1899 were the sinking of the Maine, U. S. involvement in the Philippines, Rookwood pottery, invention of “the talked of flying machine,” a Vanderbilt wedding, and Tesla’s plan to harness the power of Niagara Falls for electricity.

Here are a few images of members of The Woman’s Literary Club of Corydon over the years. These images and others as well as meeting minutes, club program yearbooks, and a memory scrapbook are available online in HCPL’s Woman’s Literary Club of Corydon collection,  https://cdm17251.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p17251coll12

The Woman’s Literary Club of Corydon, ca. 1897. The women are identified as follows: front row, l-r: Kittie Brewster, Blanche Ridley, and Charlotte Luckett; 2nd row: Anna Applegate (club founder), and Mrs. A. Riely; 3rd row: Mrs. Trueblood, Lizzie Brewster, Clara Slemmons, Mrs. E. V. Allen, and Mrs. Loweth.
Members of The Woman’s Literary Club of Corydon, 1947. Seated, l-r: Lillian Mitchell, Zelpha Simler, Nina Harris, Eva Kepner, and Cordelia Clunie. Standing, l-r: Elsie Everett Jones, Leona Keller, Lida Self, Nell Jordan, Etta Dropsey, Mary Adams and Minni Skaggs.
The Woman’s Literary Club of Corydon,  1965. At this 1965 meeting of the Women's Literary Club, Emma Dome Miller (far right) posed in the 1858 wedding dress of her grandmother, Martha Kepley Dome, and the lace cap of her great-grandmother, Sarah Hurst Kepley. Club members enjoying her presentation are, seated left to right: Lucy Hottel, Elizabeth Becker, Nola Markel, and Ruth Auxier. Standing are: Lenore LaHue, Hazel Reasor, Rebecca Ramsey, Blanche Davidson, Catherine Roberts, Leona Keller, and Elaine Altemueller.

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Who’s Awesome! Jan Kirkham – February 2026

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Jan Kirkham, Lanesville library assistant, was HCPL’s Who’s Awesome! winner for February. Jan was one of 17 nominations for the honor this month.

The nomination from Alisa Burch, library director, read, “Jan is very talented. Since joining the HCPL staff, in January of 2025 she has worked in the youth services and reference departments at Main and at the Lanesville branch library. She fills in where needed accepting new assignments with a smile. She is a gifted quilter, creating wall hangings for the library and quilted bags for staff members. She crafted a gorgeous quilt that she is allowing the library to display at the Corydon branch in honor of the USA’s 250th Anniversary. Each state is featured with the date it entered the Union. The quilt is titled E Pluribus Unum—out of many, one—meaning that because of the uniqueness and diversity of each state, the United States achieves its greatness through unity. I appreciate Jan’s thoughtfulness and devotion to the library. Jan is awesome!“

In January, Assistant Director Jessica Stroud  wrote, “Jan’s willingness to cover at the last minute at the Lanesville branch when a staff member was unable to work is greatly appreciated. Her flexibility and dedication to HCPL are highly valued. Thank you, Jan!“ Jessica also nominated Jan in November of 2025 stating, “I am so grateful that Jan joined the Lanesville branch team! She is a fantastic addition, and the other staff have taken a shine to her. She is always quick to help and is a joy to be around. Jan is awesome!“

In March of 2025, coworker Connie Gresham wrote, “Jan has seemed to fit right into the children’s department. She is great with the patrons, and has come up with great book display ideas. Ex: basketball for March Madness and took it upon herself to make a beautiful display quilt for the children’s department. She has a great can-do attitude and I’m so glad to be working with her.“ That month Business Manager Brandy Wilkerson also noted, Jan Kirkham is “hand-making items to make the children’s area look awesome!!!”

Each month a winner is selected by random drawing. Other staff members nominated in January were Chelsea Arnold, Payhton Burkhardt, Teresa Douglass, Amanda Embrey, Nikki Esarey, Shelley Gulley, Debbie McClanahan, Julie Phipps, Eden Ransdell, Heather Rapp, Donna Seewer, Trevor Smith, Tiffany Thieneman, and Brandy Wilkerson.

Article by Alisa Burch, Director

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Historic African American resources at HCPL’s Griffin Center

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Contributed by Teresa Douglass, Genealogy Specialist

As we celebrate African American History Month, we leave you with a few additional images of past Harrison County citizens and highlight some of the many African American history resources available at the Frederick Porter Griffin Center. These include individual family files and several history files that contain a variety of articles, research, and writing on African American history. Obituaries, cemetery records, and school resources can provide helpful information, as can maps and newspaper articles. Our collection also includes several sources on the Underground Railroad in Indiana, as well as various works on significant periods of African American history.

Resources that focus specifically on Harrison County include:

  • Earl Saulman’s “Blacks in Harrison County, Indiana, A History”
  • “From Poplar Street to the Leora Brown School: A Look at African American Education in Corydon, Indiana,” by Marti Suddarth
  • “Walk Along with Us: From Africa to Harrison County, Indiana” by Barbara Shannon
  • “The Role of Free Blacks in Indiana’s Underground Railroad,” by Maxine Brown

The Griffin Center also has a collection of newspaper clippings on local African American individuals and communities from 1870-2004, as well as an early register of African Americans dating to the 1850s.

black resourcesAnnie Belle Lewis (ca. 1873-1941).

Annie was the daughter of Philip and Malinda Wordling Lewis of Corydon. She worked many years as a servant and nanny for the Griffin family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Anna Mitchem White (ca. 1850-1928).

Anna was the daughter of Andrew Mitchem. She married William White with whom she had several children. Anna was no stranger to hard work and loss. By 1900, Anna was a widow and had also lost five children. She had three children left at home, ages 11 to 16, and worked as a servant. Her eldest son, William, also lived with her, along with his wife and two children. In 1905, William also died. Anna continued to work as a laundress and housekeeper until her death in 1928.

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William Brown Jr. (1889-1929).

“Willie” Brown was the son of William and Margaret Ann Brown of Corydon. Willie served overseas in World War I, then returned to Corydon where he worked as a laborer.

 

 

 

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Honoring Harrison County African American Veterans

Flashback Friday / /

Contributed by Teresa Douglass, Genealogy Specialist

Many African Americans from Harrison County have served in the military over the years.

The following images and newspaper articles provide a few examples of their contributions.

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These four young men from Harrison County entered the service during WWI. They left Corydon for Camp Dodge, Iowa, on August 23, 1918. Standing left to right are: William Brown, Carlton Parker, and Percy Garner. Jesse R. Perry is seated in front.

Military Photograph collection

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The Corydon Democrat
June 9, 1943

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The Corydon Democrat
January 17, 1945

 

blackveteransparkerThe Corydon Democrat
January 31, 1945

 

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The Corydon Democrat
March 5, 1952

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The Corydon Democrat
November 19, 1952

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Indiana State Park Passes Now Available at HCPL

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Planning a trip to one of Indiana’s thirty-two state parks and reservoirs?  Harrison County Public Library now circulates 2026 Indiana State Park Passes as part of its Adventure Packs program.  Two backpacks with passes are available, each containing binoculars, a field guide to the Nature of the Midwest, a magnifying glass, and an Indiana State Park Pass, good for regular admission to any state park property until December 31, 2026.  Four additional backpacks are available without the Park Pass.

Library patrons age 18+ may check out an Adventure Pack at the Youth Services Desk of the Corydon Branch.  The backpacks are limited to one per household, for a one-week checkout with no renewals.  Indiana State Park Passes cannot be checked out separately from the backpack.

HCPL’s Library of Things began in 2022 with LovEvery toy kits, and has since expanded to include American Girl dolls, cake pans, board games, puzzles, microscopes, portable CD players, and more.  To see all that is available, view a Library of Things binder at any library branch.  For questions, please contact the Youth Services Desk at 812-738-4110.

 

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Leora Brown School with historic marker

Leora Brown School

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Contributed by Teresa Douglass, Genealogy Specialist

The Leora Brown School in Corydon is one of the most significant historic resources of Harrison County’s African American history. Built on Summit Street in 1891, the one-story, frame school building served the town’s African American students and remains the oldest standing African American schoolhouse in Indiana.

Originally known as the Corydon Colored School, the building served as both a grade and a high school with students from grades one through twelve. The school produced its first graduates in 1897. The high school was discontinued in 1925 due to low enrollment, and African American students then attended Corydon High School. Grade school for African American children continued in the Summit Street school until 1950, after which all students were integrated into the town school. The Corydon school system continued to own the school building on Summit Street and, in 1953, began using it for overflow kindergarten and first-grade students. In 1973, the building was renamed the Grade School Annex and served students with special education needs. In 1986, the school corporation declared the building as surplus and sold the property.

Leora Brown School photo

Leora Brown School in Corydon, ca. 1967.

Walter Fried Slide Collection

Professor William H. Fouse

Corydon Photograph Collection

Professor William H. Fouse was the first African American teacher to teach at Corydon’s school for African American children. The school was built in 1891, and Professor Fouse taught there from 1893 to 1904.

Leora Brown had the longest tenure as teacher of Corydon’s African American school. A graduate of the school herself, Brown started teaching in 1924 and continued until 1950 when the school was closed and all its students were integrated into the larger Corydon schools. The school system, however, did not renew Brown’s teaching contract. In the early 1990s, the schoolhouse on Summit Street was restored and renamed the Leora Brown School in honor of its beloved long-time teacher.

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Who's Awesome featured photo January 2026

Who’s Awesome! Bob Ohlrich – January 2026

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Bob Ohlrich, Corydon circulation clerk, was HCPL’s Who’s Awesome! winner for January. Bob was one of 16 nominations for the honor this month.

Coworker Debi Strubler nominated Bob writing, “I work with Bob more than any other employee at the library. It is always a very pleasant experience. Bob is prompt on coming to work and returning from lunch. We always split the work at the circulation desk. I always rely on him to give me sound advice if I am to make a decision. He is enjoyable and positive. He is very courteous to all patrons and treats every patron with the same kindness and empathy. He has many great stories about the adventures of his life. And he can resist any temptation of a sweet treat offered to him at the circulation desk! I cannot resist the temptation. He is a great weather man as well!”

Ann Allen, who works in youth services, has also nominated Bob stating, “My husband comes into the library frequently and he always mentions how pleasant and professional Bob is. He added that people like Bob make our library a great place to visit. I also really appreciate Bob’s friendliness and energy!” And former employee Liz Dennis nominated Bob adding, “Bob seems to always be early to work. Bob goes above and beyond in chipping in where he can and being a good team player.”

Bob has been a member of the HCPL staff since March of 2020.

Each month a winner is selected by random drawing. Other staff members nominated in January were Amanda Applegate, Sarah Dorton, Shelley Gulley, Jaymee Jansa, Jan Kirkham, Debbie McClanahan, Eden Ransdell, Donna Seewer, Jennifer Schroering, Trevor Smith, Jessica Stroud, Debi Strubler and Brandy Wilkerson.

Article by Alisa Burch, Director

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St. Paul’s A.M.E. Church

Flashback Friday / /

Contributed by Teresa Douglass, Genealogy Specialist

In celebration of African American History Month, we take a look back at the lives and contributions of African American citizens throughout Harrison County’s history.

African Americans have been part of Harrison County’s history from its beginning, and as Black communities developed, residents soon organized church congregations. One of the first to be established was St. Paul’s African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in Corydon. Free African Americans and former enslaved persons organized the St. Paul congregation around 1843. In April 1851, church trustees acquired a lot in Corydon for the purpose of erecting a house of worship and a school. In the late 1870s, the congregation erected a frame, gable-front church at the corner of Maple and High Streets. The building, pictured below, served the St. Paul A.M.E. congregation until 1975, at which time a new brick church was built on an adjacent lot. This brick building continues to serve the congregation today.

Other early African American churches in Harrison County include Collins ’ Chapel in northern Boone Township and Zion Church in southern Harrison Township.

st pauls 1St. Paul’s African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in Corydon, ca. 1958.

The above image is part of the Walter and Mina Fried Slide Collection, available in HCPL’s digital archives.

st pauls 2This March 15, 1939, article from The Corydon Democrat announces a program sponsored by St. Paul’s in order to raise funds for needed repairs to the church.

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The Results Are In! Read to Feed Harrison County 2026

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Harrison County Public Library is proud to announce the final results of the 2026 Read to Feed Harrison County Winter Challenge.  A total of 2,801 participants submitted their reading throughout the month of January, including 2,385 students across 7 schools–more than double our 2025 participation numbers.  With 17,984 books read, we have met and surpassed our community goal of 10,000 books! The top school this year was Lanesville Elementary, with over 3,000 books submitted.

 

Thanks to our hard-working readers, Harrison County Community Services will receive $1,000 from Duke Energy, $1,000 from Lucas Oil, $500 from Caesars Southern Indiana, $250 from Eckart Supply, and $200 from Harrison REMC.  These donations will help provide food and clothing to our neighbors in need.  Thank you so much to all of our readers and sponsors for helping Read to Feed Harrison County!

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Thank you, Kathy Crimans!

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Kathy Crimans with certificateThe Harrison County Public Library Board of Trustees honored outgoing board President Kathy Crimans with a reception on Thursday, January 29, at Harrison County Arts. Kathy served on the Library Board for eight years as an appointee of the Harrison County Council. For five of those years, she served as board president, and for her first three years on the board, she served as vice president.

“Kathy was a calm and effective leader,” said Library Director Alisa Burch. “Through all her years of leadership, it was obvious that she always had the best interests of the community and library employees in mind. She has a great sense of humor and is a tireless library advocate. Her library education and years of experience as an elementary school librarian were invaluable in understanding library priorities.”

“We thank her for her service, “ Burch added. “She will be missed.”

During the reception, Kathy was presented with a plaque that read: “Certificate of Appreciation presented to Kathy Crimans. The Harrison County Public Library Board of Trustees and staff wish to express our sincere gratitude for your 8 years of dedicated service to the Harrison County Public Library. We wish you good health, happiness and continued success.” She was also given a thrown glass bowl from Zimmerman Art Glass. Kathy Crimans with glass bowl

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