Spring Pilgrimage 2013

Thursday, May 16, 2013
Homes and Gardens of the Miller Family
and Other Historic Sites
Columbus, Indiana

Have you been among those eagerly waiting to visit the mid-modern J. Irwin Miller House and Garden in Columbus, now owned by the Indianapolis Museum of Art? This is our chance for a private tour of the recently renovated, Mid-Century Modern house commissioned in 1953 by the late philanthropist J. Irwin Miller, who built Cummins Engine into a Fortune 500 company.

For more information and to download a registration form, visit the "Events" page.

Fall Pilgrimage 2013

Friday, September 6, 2013
Limberlost, Amish and Berne
Geneva and Berne, Indiana

Following the popular Spring Pilgrimage last year to the Rome City/Wildflower Woods (second) cabin of acclaimed naturalist Gene Stratton-Porter, we will visit her cherished home, the original Limberlost cabin in Geneva.

For more information and to download a registration form, visit the "Events" page.

Learn About the Society With Our New Video!

Our new thirteen-minute long video tells the story of the Society of Indiana Pioneers, including detailed information about our major goals and projects. You can watch the entire video here, and segments also appear on this site's pages where appropriate. All of the videos are available on our new "Video" page as well.

We hope you enjoy this new video look at the Society's past, present and future!

Latest Issue of Pioneer Times Newsletter Now Available

The current issue of the Society's newsletter, Pioneer Times, is available to view or download. Previous issues of the newsletter may also be accessed here on the website by visiting the "Pioneer Times" link in the menu above.

Society to Mark Centennial with Prize

In anticipated celebration of the Society's centennial and the upcoming bicentennial of the State of Indiana in December of 2016, the Society of Indiana Pioneers has launched an award for the promotion of the highest quality of scholarship, research and writing about Indiana Pioneer History from pre-history to and including the year 1851.

The John Hampden Holliday Prize will be awarded to up to three individuals who make the most significant contribution to the field of Indiana pioneer history in works published in the years 2013, 2014, 2015 or 2016. The top prize will be the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000), with second and third prizes being awarded in lesser amounts.

The prize is being offered by the Society of Indiana Pioneers which is an organization with the purpose of honoring the memory and achievements of those early settlers of the state of Indiana. It was established in 1916 by John Hampden Holliday, the founder of the Indianapolis News, to honor the centennial of the state of Indiana.

The prize will be awarded at a Centennial-Bicentennial Banquet in December of 2016, along with appropriate trophies. Nominations must be submitted on or before February 1, 2016.

For further information contact The Society of Indiana Pioneers, 140 North Senate Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.

The Society's "Pioneer Founders" Project

At the 2010 summer meeting of the Board of Governors, an initiative was approved to pay tribute to exceptional pioneers for their efforts in building early Indiana. The Society of Indiana Pioneers was founded in 1916, when Indiana celebrated its 100th anniversary of statehood. In preparation for the 200th anniversary of statehood – and the Society’s centennial celebration – the Society seeks to honor special pioneers from each of Indiana’s 92 counties.

For more information about the Pioneer Founders Project, click on the "Pioneer Founders" menu item above.

About the Society

In 1915, the Indiana General Assembly created the Indiana Historical Commission which led the planning, preparation and conduct of the celebration of Indiana's Centennial. Local Centennial committees were organized throughout Indiana. John Hampden Holliday, publisher of The Indianapolis News, was the chairman of the Indianapolis committee.

Sometime during the weeks of Centennial celebration, Mr. Holliday came upon the notion of organizing a society composed of people who were descendants of the early settlers of Indiana, the pioneers who opened the State to civilization, thereafter discussing, promoting and planning it with family, friends and acquaintances. On September 15, 1916, Mr. Holliday and a considerable number of people met to hear the report of a planning committee and its presentation of a proposed constitution that was adopted by those attending. In a subsequent order of business Mr. Holliday was elected the first President, a position he held until his death in 1921.

Today, there are four classes of membership available to those persons interested in the goals of the Society: Regular, Junior, Associate and Honorary. More information on becoming a member of The Society of Indiana Pioneers is available on the Join the Society page.

Details on the benefits of membership and services available to Society members is on the Benefits page.

A list of currently available books and other items are shown on the Publications page.

The Society cooperates with the Indiana Historical Society, the Indiana Junior Historical Society, and other historical organizations. Over the years the Society has engaged in various projects. Present membership is about 1,200.

From the Society's office at 140 North Senate Avenue in downtown Indianapolis, we strive to serve our membership and continue to celebrate the rich Indiana Pioneer heritage that we share.

Society Officers & Staff

Board of Governors