Whitley County Historical Society recognizes contributions, volunteers Tuesday evening
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Dr. Russ Gilliom of Churubusco, below at center, listens to an informative program about the great Miami Indian leader Jean Baptiste de Richardville.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Conversations over dinner ranged from the drama of the Civil War to the hard times of the Great Depression and the many stages before and since. 
It was, after all, the annual spring dinner of the Whitley County Historical Society and regardless of age or demographic, all in attendance shared an interest in history.
Held at The Eagles Nest Event Center in Columbia City, following dinner, guests were addressed by Whitley County Historical Society president Chuck Jones.
“We’ve had four months of programs which have been very well attended,” Jones said of the past several months’ worth of Sunday afternoon events at the museum highlighting several intriguing historical topics.
Jones also spoke of changes. In recent months, there have been changes in leadership with the addition of three new staff members, including Dani Tippmann, Angela Maley and Tonya Brown. There have also been changes in hours of operation and the museum is now open Tuesday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Fridays from 9 a.m.-noon and on weekends during special programs.
Three of the society’s board members’ terms were set to expire, but the three, including Gerald Runkle, Marie Hockemeyer and Jennifer Zartman Romano, have agreed to continue on. In addition, three other board members were unanimously voted onto the board this evening – Bill Simpson, Dennis Warnick and Joyce Hite.
Jones provided several awards, including an honorary lifetime board role to Clark Waterfall, whom Jones described as “a walking history of Whitley County.”
The Waugh Award for great contributions to the Whitley County Historical Society was bestowed upon Greg and Jan Anthes. The Anthes were recognized for their gift of The Little Brick Outhouse which is now standing proudly on the grounds of the museum property. The little building was lovingly moved from its original home in Columbia City to Springfield, Ohio, and then carefully moved back to Columbia City to what many hope will be its final home. The Anthes were not present to accept their award, but were recognized by a grateful society regardless.
The president’s award, given annually at the discretion of the society president for a volunteer going above and beyond was presented to Tonya Brown for her volunteer work on the Bill Jones photo collection last summer. Brown assisted in finding homes and/or cataloging perhaps thousands of photographs given to the society by the Bill Jones Family, a longtime Whitley County photographer whose work spanned decades.
Jones also recognized the John and Hester Adams Trust for many years of significant support. JoEllen McConnell and Dick Buchanan accepted the award on behalf of the now retired trust.
Dr. Russ Gilliom of Churubusco made a special gift to the Whitley County Historical Society in the form of a portrait of Chief Little Turtle painted by the late Churubusco area artist John Cockrell.
On receiving the gift, museum director Dani Tippmann looked proudly at the painting and remarked, “Little Turtle is my great-great-great uncle, so it has special meaning for me.”
The featured speaker of the evening was Todd Pelfrey, executive director of the Fort Wayne Historical Society.
“I would really like to commend the Whitley County Historical Society for their selection of Dani Tippmann as their director,” said Pelfrey, who has worked with Tippmann at the Chief Richardville House for the past four years, where Tippmann volunteers. “I can’t speak highly enough of her.”
Pelfrey spoke on the historical significance of Chief Jean Baptiste de Richardville, providing an interesting and provoking account of his life and impact on not only northern Indiana, but further reaching areas as well.