"Back Home Again in Indiana" is the reunion theme this year as we will return to ancestral grounds - Indiana - of many Stanleys who trace their lineage to Thomas Stanley and his known three sons: James, Thomas Jr, and John. What is your story? Perhaps, your family has called Indiana home for up to 4 generations. Perhaps, in your story, your ancestors traveled there, but then kept moving on to Iowa or further west.
You will be able to visit many historical sites in or near Richmond, find out more of your family history from Stanley family genealogy experts (and non-experts) at the reunion and generally have a good time visting with your 'cousins' whom you might not have seen for a year or more. Highlights of the weekend will include speakers, tours of places of interest and, as usual, good local entertainment. Please see below for more information on events.
Make sure to bring your wallets since you need a Stanley watch, hat, t-shirt and more Stanley history books. See you there!
REGISTRATION: Please click here for the registration form.
MAPS AND HOW TO GET TO THE Earlham School of Religion:
You can get there from anywhere in the world! Click here to see maps and to obtain driving directions from just about anywhere!
LODGING: Local motels, camp grounds, B&Bs and on-campus rooms are available.
Click here for more lodging information.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS/EVENTS:
Richmond was founded by North Carolina Quakers who settled along the Whitewater River in 1806. Richmond capitalized on the location as a trading and transportation center and became the county seat of Wayne county in 1873.
The first permanent settlers on the present site of Richmond were John Smith and Jeremiah Cox, two North Carolina Quakers who arrived in 1806. They came here by way of Quaker Settlements in Western Ohio.
John Smith, who opened the first general store, entered land on the eastern bluff of the Whitewater River, south of present Main Street. He erected a pole log cabin near South Third and B Streets.
Jeremiah Cox, who built the first grist mill, bought two quarter sections of land north of the present Main Street. Four acres had been cleared and planted in corn.
David Hoover and several other land seekers traced a section line from a point eight miles north of Dayton, Ohio to the banks of the Whitewater River early in 1806. The Hoovers took up land north of town.
However, these settlers were not the first ones who had acquired land in the present Wayne County. Richard Rue and George Holman, along with Joseph Cox and Thomas McCoy and their families, had settled in Elkhorn and Abington areas of the county in 1805.
That is just the beginning. Some events, tours and places to visit are below. Click on the links for more information - times, fees, etc. or please click here for more tour information.:
- Lilly Library Friends Collection - The collection consists of the Earlham College Archives and the Friends Collection, as well as a rare book collection. We welcome anyone interested in our collections to visit us. Lilly Library is an excellent source for Quaker genealogical research on Indiana Quakers. Plan on spending some time there.
- Gaar Mansion and Farm Museum Tour - Jonas Gaar and sons were founders of Gaar-Scott and Company, the leading manufacturer of threshing machines and steam engines from 1842 to 1911. Original cost to build the Gaar mansion was $20,000.
- Historic Depot District - The historic Richmond, Indiana Depot District encompasses approximately four blocks in Richmond's near north side. The area is most well known for its primary landmark, the Pennsylvania Railroad Station.
- Wayne County Historical Museum is comprised of eight buildings on a compact site. The museum is a unique repository of Wayne County and Richmond history from early pioneer life through the industrial revolution into modern times.
- Levi Coffin House is part of the legendary Underground Railroad for fleeing slaves of pre-Civil War days, this registered National Historic Landmark is a Federal style brick home built in 1839.
- Friday Evening Speaker: Tom Hamm has been on the faculty at Earlham College since 1987, where he serves as college archivist, curator of the Friends Collection and professor of history. He is the author of several books on Quakerism and Quaker history, the most recent being "Quaker Writings, 1650-1920. A native of New Castle, Indiana, he is a life long Friend and served seven years as the recording clerk of Indiana Yearly Meeting of Friends. He is a member of the NSFA and is a descendent of Thomas' son John Stanley (1691-1783.)"
- Saturday Evening: "The Story Behind the Stories" by Connie Wooldridge, children's book writer. Connie's vivid imagination and spirited storytelling are fueled by her love of travel, adventure, and the unconventional way she embraces all life has to offer. She’s lived in seven states, Washington, D.C., Athens, Greece and Seoul, South Korea. Connie has served on the American Library Association’s Newbery-Caldecott Committee, which each year selects the recipients of children’s literature’s most prestigious awards, and then on the Notable Books Committee, which compiles a list of the best children’s books published each year. She has also written for Highlights For Children publication
Please click here for more tour information.
For information and maps about local attractions in the area contact:
- Richmond/Wayne County Convention and Tourism Bureau Inc
5701 National Road East, Richmond, IN 47374
Tel: (800) 828-8414 or (765) 935-8687 - Website: www.visitrichmond.org They also have information about local attractions, shopping, and leisure activities. A visitors' guide may also be downloaded from the Tourism Bureau website.
- Richmond Indiana Attracation Locator Map
|
