Spring Pilgrimage 2012

Friday, May 18, 2012
Fort Wayne and Rome City:
Allen County Public Library and Gene Stratton-Porter Site

Spring Pilgrimage will be on Friday, May 18, 2012.  It will be to the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne and the Gene Stratton-Porter site in Rome City.

For more information, visit our "Events" page.

Society of Indiana Pioneers Fellowships

The Society of Indiana Pioneers annually awards Society of Indiana Pioneers Fellowships to support research in the field of pioneer Indiana history for the master’s thesis and the doctoral dissertation. The Society of Indiana Pioneers was founded in 1916, during the centennial celebration of Indiana’s statehood, “to honor the memory and the work of the pioneers of Indiana.” Membership includes individuals who have an ancestor who settled in an Indiana county during the pioneer period (generally defined as before 1840, with some exceptions) and people who have an interest in this period of Hoosier history. To fulfill its mission, the Society maintains a significant genealogical database culled from its membership records, sponsors annual spring and fall “pilgrimages” to historical sites within the state, and partners with other history-related organizations.

There will be two $1,000 fellowships awarded annually, one to support research for a master’s thesis in the pioneer period of Indiana history and another for doctoral dissertation research. For the purposes of the fellowship program, the pioneer period of Indiana is defined as pre-1850. Only students at graduate institutions in Indiana are eligible for these fellowships. The deadline for application is April 15th of each year.

For more information, click on the "Fellowships" menu item above.

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