The board of the Zionsville Historical Society, established in 1962, has voted to dissolve the organization.
The assets, which include the complete historic archives and the group’s remaining funds, will be donated to the SullivanMunce Cultural Center.The SullivanMunce houses historical items from Zionsville, including genealogy records, photographs and artifacts.
“The SullivanMunce board voted to become the steward of our historic archive,” Lynne Manning, president of the Zionsville Historical Society. “Once our organization is officially dissolved, we will make them a designated gift of our remaining funds, meaning it will be used for history programming in the 2019-2020 time frame.”
Imo Dunn, Manning’s grandmother, was the first president of the Zionsville Historical Society. All 97 people who joined during the first two years were included in the charter membership.
“I’m incredibly proud of all the work Zionsville Historical Society has done to promote and encourage an interest in local history,” Manning said. “I know that my grandmother would be proud of what he have accomplished. She would be appreciative of our willingness to allow our resources to go in a different direction.”
Through the decades, the Historical Society has primarily been known for researching and erecting historical markers around town; supporting Maplelawn Farmstead as it acquired registration as an Historic District; and placing a time capsule in Lincoln Park to be opened in 2076. It also initiated a Century Structures program recognizing architectural preservation of local buildings at least 100 years old.
There are 22 designated Century Structures in Zionsville. Ralph Stacy, who has led the program for the Historical Society for 30 years, said he would be open to assisting in the future.
“It will be nice if it continues on,” he said.
Although the historical society was established before the museum, Stacy said the merging organizations makes sense.
“It’s a duplication of effort,” he said. “It’s been a nice experience for me.”
Stacy’s children attended ZHS meetings growing up and were members.
“Our kids gained an appreciation of history and Zionsville,” he said.
When discussion of dissolving began, the Historical Society wanted to make sure its assets went to an organization that shared its mission and determined that SullivanMunce was a good fit.
“Our members have worked very hard over the years. Local history is a passion we all share,” Manning said. “We feel that SullivanMunce is a great home and will be a great steward for all the work we’ve done over the years.”
