Montpelier Historical Society - Montpelier, Indiana

06/17/2026

Join us this Saturday, June 20th at 10am as we celebrate the father of Montpelier.

The Montpelier Founder’s Day program will be held in the northwest corner - the oldest section of Woodlawn Cemetery.

We will read a short excerpt of the story of Abel Baldwin’s journey from Vermont to the high banks of the Salamonie River where he would establish our fair city followed by the laying of a wreath on Mr. Baldwin’s grave site.

The 250th birthday of our nation this year reminds us of the importance of history, be it national or local.

Montpelier residents and Baldwin descendants are encouraged to attend.

06/17/2026

The Montpelier Historical Society is proud to announce that on June 1, 2026, we were awarded a Heritage support grant provided by The Indiana Historical Society and made possible by Lilly Endowment Inc. in the amount of $3200. The grant will be used for payment of the electrician for the light installation project at the Old Church Museum, 319 South Main Street. Completion of the light project will be one step closer to being able to have regular open hours for public access to our collection. We want to thank the Indiana Historical Society and Lilly Endowment Inc. for their generous contribution.

06/16/2026

Senior Ladies! Here's another way for you to be HISTORIC!!!

EDIT: We were late getting registration forms out, so we have EXTENDED THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE THROUGH THIS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24th!!!

Registration forms are now available for Montpelier's Semiquincentennial Senior Queen contest. Candidates must be 55+ and from the Montpelier/Southern Wells area.
Registration forms can be picked up at Montpelier Public Library and need to be turned in by June 24th.
No interview sessions!
No swimwear or evening wear competitions!
Winner determined solely on a short essay question!
This is designed to be a fun activity and not a competition.
The Semiquincentennial Senior Queen will represent our community during the July 4th events and will appear during the Semiquincentennial parade.
The Queen will be announced on June 27th, so get those registrations returned to the library asap!

06/15/2026

Bradshaw Grocery and Art Hammond's Twi Lite Inn - Main & Monroe in 1966.

Pictures such as these will be included in the upcoming new history book - Montpelier Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, Volume Two. This book is set for release in the fourth quarter of 2026.

06/15/2026

In the coming weeks we will highlight each one of the activities planned for Montpelier’s Semiquincentennial Celebration and we start things off with this post:

Saturday, July 4th
7:00am - 10:00am
Masonic Lodge
309 West High Street

VETERANS and COMMUNITY BREAKFAST

All veterans are welcome as we honor your service with a FREE breakfast consisting of pancakes, breakfast casserole, and hot coffee - compliments of the Masons, the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary, and the Daughters of the American Revolution - Francois Godfroy Chapter.

The rest of the community is welcomed to join us for breakfast that morning with a free will donation.

AFTER THE BREAKFAST:
The American Legion Post 156 will be open so that veterans will have a comfortable place to wait until the beginning of the Semiquincentennial Program.

Remember, if it weren’t for our veterans, we would likely be having tea and crumpets under the edict of King Charles on July 4th to celebrate the Defeat of the Rebellion.

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06/14/2026

Join us this Saturday, June 20th at 10am as we celebrate the father of Montpelier.

The Montpelier Founder’s Day program will be held in the northwest corner - the oldest section of Woodlawn Cemetery.

We will read a short excerpt of the story of Abel Baldwin’s journey from Vermont to the high banks of the Salamonie River where he would establish our fair city followed by the laying of a wreath on Mr. Baldwin’s grave site.

The 250th birthday of our nation this year reminds us of the importance of history, be it national or local.

Montpelier residents and Baldwin descendants are encouraged to attend.

About this photo: Joan Nathan of Muncie, a Baldwin descendant, joined us in 2025 as we remembered her ancestor.

06/09/2026

The Bicentennial Capsule marker has been moved from downtown to the Old Church Museum property.
It will be refitted with appropriate plaques and will become the new Semiquincentennial Capsule marker.

The contents of the Bicentennial capsule will be revealed during our Semiquincentennial program July 4th.

Full details are on Montpelier’s Semiquincentennial Celebration FB page.

06/07/2026

FREE for veterans and NOW open to the public with a free will donation!!
We're recognizing our veterans with a FREE breakfast on July 4th and we also realize that members of the community will be just as hungry as those that served this country, so we've decided to make this breakfast open to the ENTIRE COMMUNITY with a free will donation.
This is a great way to start the July 4th holiday - we hope you will join us!

06/07/2026

Get your official July 4th Montpelier Semiquincentennial Celebration Program and List of Events at City Hall and the Montpelier/Harrison Twp. Public Library!