Labor Day: A Wabash Valley Tradition

American Federation of Musicians Local 25 Labor Day Parade of 1988. 

American Federation of Musicians Local 25 Labor Day Parade of 2004. 

 Labor Day: the last hoorah of summer. Long weekend family trips and a couple of burgers on the grill bring to mind past celebrations of the holiday. Seldom do we think of the history and meaning of the three day weekend, though many of us are more than happy to celebrate the extra day off.  "Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country" ("History"). The Wabash Valley seems to be adequately celebrating the holiday appropriately,  as "the form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade" ("History").  This tradition continues for the Wabash Valley this coming Monday, as many areas, including Terre Haute, will be hosting a parade to commemorate Labor Day. Families will be enjoying an extra day off, and just maybe a parade or two. 

Labor Day Parade on State Street in Princeton, Indiana,1926. 

"History of Labor Day." United States Department of Labor. United States Department of Labor, n.d.

       Web. 31 Aug. 2015. 

Back to School: A Glimpse into the Indiana State Normal School

Indiana State Normal School main building, 1870-1888. 

The evidence of a yellow school bus driving by in the early morning is just a small inclanation that our initiation into Fall is forthcoming. While commercials airing back to school specials, deals and even freebies can be seen rampant on many social outlets, the Wabash Valley Vision and Voices Digital Memory Project can give us a glimpse of school days gone by. While glancing through the Indiana State University Archives collection, you are sure to happen upon the universities ornate history, beginning with it's establishment as the Indiana State Normal School in 1865. In 1929 the school became the Indiana State Teachers College until 1961, in which year it became established as the Indiana State College. Four short years later, Indiana State College became designated as Indiana State University, the flagship it is known as today.  Fortunately, archives of the Sycamore, the Indiana State Normal School yearbook, exist, allowing modern readers the ability to envision university excitement during the late 19th and early 20th century. See below a peek into Normal's student life, taken directly from the pages of Sycamore 1926. 

Indiana State Normal School basketball game against Purdue, who won 24-29. 

Indiana State Normal School Debate Team 1926

Kick-off: Normal vs. Indiana University. First game in the new Memorial Stadium.

Afternoon Treasure Hunt Anyone?

When the land-locked state of Indiana comes to mind, hidden treasure is generally not at the top of the list, even with the prevalence of a summertime sea of green (soybeans that is!). And yet, an afternoon spent treasure hunting in Greene county may gather the individual more than just a cache of golden corn kernels. According to the Indiana State University Folklore Archives rumors of hidden treasure prevails: silver leftover by Native Americans, sunken whiskey marooned in the wake of a ship demolished by an explosion, and the tale of a woman so overcome by heatstroke while picking berries that she buried her entire life savings in the woods near her home. If these circumstances are not influence enough for some afternoon shovel digging and map searching, then perhaps one more intriguing tale can be of assistance. A cave once utilized by miners now serves as the resting place for stolen treasure acquired by a stagecoach robbery. Did we mention that this cave is also forbidden and guarded by an old man? Get your shovels folks, lets go hunt some treasure!