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​Indiana State Museum Celebrates Remarkable Women of Science

3/26/2017

 
By Nicky Ball

Since 1987 the US has celebrated “Women’s History Month” each March.  Every year institutions like the Library of Congress, the National Park Service, and the Smithsonian Institution observe this month by paying tribute to the women who have come before us.  Likewise, the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites are celebrating, and we here at the Limberlost SHS are proud to honor Gene Stratton-Porter and her role in history.

On Saturday March 4, the Indiana State Museum held a conference called “Remarkable Women.”  This year’s theme was “Women in Science,” and if there is anyone who can be considered a remarkable woman of science, it’s certainly Mrs. Porter.

Visitors to the museum were able to interact with the State Historic Sites who came to showcase their own women in science.  At the Limberlost booth, we highlighted Gene’s nature books, her work as a photographer, and showed off some bird nests and moth cocoons.  There were quite a few fans of Mrs. Porter—from readers who shared their favorite books, to scientists like Purdue professor of entomology Tom Turpin who shared how he was inspired by Gene’s work with moths.  On the contrary, many people were hearing about Gene for the first time and were surprised at the many roles she played.  Both adults and children alike enjoyed learning about orioles, cecropias, and the Limberlost.  

About half of Indiana’s State Historic Sites were in attendance.  New Harmony SHS featured Lucy Say and her connection to the site.  The folks from Culbertson Mansion led a hands-on activity where kids could create their own “stenciled ceiling.” This simulated artist Kris Lemmon’s restoration work at the mansion.  T.C. Steele SHS focused on Selma Steele and her work as a naturalist. At the Angel Mounds display, visitors could go on an archeological dig.  Finally, Rhonda Deeg, a stained glass artist from Madison, showed guests how she helps restore historic windows and lamps.  

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., four different speaking presentations were held, including keynote speaker Ora Pescoviz, M.D., a pediatric endocrinologist and researcher.  Also in attendance was a fourth grade class from Cumberland Elementary School.  Along with their teacher and a group of Purdue University students, they are working to have the Say’s Firefly named as Indiana’s State Insect.  

The Remarkable Women event was a great way to showcase some of Indiana’s noteworthy ladies of science—both past and present.  Here at the Limberlost, we are fortunate to celebrate women’s history everyday as we share the story of Gene Stratton-Porter with our guests.  We invite you to celebrate Women’s History Month with us by taking a tour of the Limberlost Cabin or reading one of Gene’s many books!

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Picture

Plunges Into the Water to Rescue Neighbors

3/19/2017

 
Editor’s Note: The following was found while I was reading and researching the
                        Geneva Herald. The following article was in the 7 Apr 1904 issue, p. 1.
                        It is part of continued research for the Limberlost State Historic Site.
                        The Alex Bolds farm in this article is now part of the Limberlost
                        Swamp Wetland Preserve. It sits about where the Deacon’s Trail is
                        located in Section 32. Even though this area was ditched and drained
                        it would still flood just as it does today. Terri Gorney

Plunges Into the Water to Rescue Neighbors

C. L. Caldwell, living two and a half miles southwest of Geneva on the Fred Bimel farm, at the risk of his own life went to the rescue of a neighbor, a Mr. Ward, who lives on the Alex Bolds farm, in the famous Loblolly district, who awakened Saturday morning, March 26 th , to find his house surrounded by water from five to six feet deep and twenty six inches on the floor. Caldwell worked heroically from 7 in the morning until 5 o’clock in the evening, in water two to six feet deep and the waves at times rolling two feet high, and with ice froze about his neck and shoulders. The only thing he had near him to depend upon to help him in his struggle against the water and peril to which he was exposed was a box wagon bed which was used for a boat at times, and in this he started to take the wife of Mr. Ward, but striking a stump, he capsized, whereupon he took Mrs. Ward upon his back and waded out with her, a distance of forty rods and at times the waves rolling about his neck.

By the unceasing efforts of Caldwell and the arrival of two men from Geneva in a boat, about 4 o’clock the imperiled family were all rescued, and most of his stock also landed out of the water, but so near drowned that all perished except one horse, Mr. Ward losing three cows and two horses.

We dare say few men have the nerve and strength of Caldwell, the rescuer.
                                                                                                                            EYE WITNESS

Freckles: An Editorial in The Geneva Herald

3/13/2017

 
By Terri Gorney

Geneva was proud of their hometown author Gene Stratton-Porter. In the November 3 1904 issue of The Geneva Herald was a bold front page banner of “Gene Stratton Porter: The Author of “Freckles” a New Book, Wins Place Among Popular Authors.”

​In June of the same year, The Geneva Herald carried a story on E. Stetson Crawford and Aimee Lenalie, both of New York City and were guests of Gene’s at the Limberlost Cabin. They were involved in a new book that Gene was working on at the time. Crawford was a well-known illustrator and Lenalie was an author and French translator. The book they were working on was “Freckles.” Crawford’s illustrations would bring the Limberlost to life and Lenalie would translate the book into French.

This was just one of several positive editorials written in The Geneva Herald on one of Gene’s books.

The Editorial is as follows:

“Freckles” is the name of the new book written by Gene Stratton Porter, of this place. This makes her second attempt. The first was “The Song of the Cardinal” a bird story which was a leader among book sellers, but we are safe in saying that “Freckles” will far excel that of the former. It is a very interesting book from beginning to end and holds the read fascinated throughout.

Freckles is a nameless waif, but the way he carries himself through life and carries on his love affairs is simply grand. Angel, is a young girl who meets “Freckles” for the first time in his room or “cathedral” which was in the wood or Limberlost. Freckles came to the Limberlost lumber camp a poor, forlorn boy (a cripple) and by his pluck and courage manly straight forward way McClain hired him to keep guard over his mighty forest trees. Up to a few days before he had never seen such sights as met his gaze, and now he was sole guard and the birds and the insects and venomous snakes were his sole companions for hours at a time.

​
It was a very trying ordeal to him but his constancy of purpose was strong and he came out victorious in the end, his parent’s names were restored to him but not before he had a great accident befall him in saving the life of the beautiful girl who saved his life from “Black Joe” and his confederates who were a band of thieves and were feared for many miles around, but who lost his life in the swamps and to whom thought of repentance comes too late. Freckles and the Swamp Angel’s dreams materialize and leaves the reader with a feeling better for having read “Freckles” written by our own authoress, Mrs. Gene Stratton Porter.   

Listening at the Loblolly

3/5/2017

 
By Terri Gorney

The call of the Sandhill Cranes, that deep primitive sound, the sound of movement and migration came to the Limberlost February 13. Tom White reported seeing a small flock at the Limberlost Swamp Wetland Preserve (LSWP). The same day Ben Hess saw a small flock at the Loblolly Marsh. Bill Hubbard counted 500 Sandhill Cranes at the LSWP the next day. J Swygart took pictures of them. Curt Burnette could see them from his desk and took a picture from the west window of the Limberlost Visitor Center. Brian Daughtery took a picture of one of them in flight.

Other harbingers of spring arrived that same week including the woodcock, Wilson’s snipe, and killdeer. By February 17, the red-winged blackbirds were adding their voices to the marsh. On February 18, Randy Lehman and I saw over 80 roosting in a single tree north of the Loblolly Marsh.

Midland’s Chorus frogs began singing near Veronica’s Trail and Woody’s Retreat at the marsh. On February 19, while enjoying time at Woody’s Retreat I heard my first woodcock “peenting” and a snipe calling for a mate. There were 59 painted turtles and one garter snake out catching the sun’s rays. Curt Burnette saw a mourning cloak, the first butterfly of the year!

Bill Hubbard saw 300-350 gulls, mostly ring-billed. It appears they spent one night here before heading north. The first waterfowl began moving through the area. Clara Conroy had a nice list at LSWP on February 18: 6 Northern Shovelers, 53 Greater White-fronted Geese, 80 Northern Pintails, 6 American Black Ducks, 32 Green-winged Teal and 466 Mallards. April Raver captured a picture of Geneva’s first Turkey Vulture of the year.

Randy Lehman took some beautiful sunset photos on February 18 at the Loblolly Marsh.  A flock of Sandhill Cranes were calling and flying in front of the setting sun. A celebration of spring migration in February!

    Author

    The volunteers and staff of Limberlost

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