Upcoming Events at the John Hay Center

IHS Traveling Exhibit - Hoosiers and their Hooch: Perspectives on Prohibition

March 5 through April 7, 2026

Saturday, March 21:

‘Hoosiers & their Hooch’ with Alan Bishop

Supplemental program to go along with our temporary exhibit. Patoka Lake’s Master Distiller Alan Bishop will be visiting us at The Stevens Memorial Museum Basement to give a prevention on the history of distilling in Southern Indiana. He will be able to provide a unique insight in how Prohibition effected small communities like ours.

This event will begin at 1PM.

Admission: $10 for WCHS Members $12 non-members

Sunday, April 19:

The American Revolution with Dr. James Fadely

Our next 250th Celebration event! Historian Dr. James Fadely will be visiting us at the Depot Railroad Museum at 2PM to dive deep into the history of the American Revolution.

Admission: $10 for WCHS Members $12 for non-members

Saturday, April 25: JHC Campus Clean-up Day

Annual day for staff, board members, and volunteers to help prepare the JHC campus for the Spring and Summer. Plant flowers, pull weeds, spread mulch, clear sidewalks. 

Help us make the center shine!

Friday, May 1: John Hay Center Concert Series
Scheduled for 8 to 10PM.
Act and pricing TBA.

Saturday, May 9: Historic Marker Painting Day
Join us to explore the county and spruce up the many historical markers that help tell Washington County’s Story!
Starting at 9AM.

Saturday, May 16:

Lunch’n’Learn - All about the African American Methodist Episcopal Church with Drew Wright

Local historian and lawyer Drew Wright is joining us at The Depot Railroad Museum at 12PM for a Lunch’n’Learn!

This Lunch’n’Learn will be all about the powerful history of the African American Methodist Episcopal Church, it’s cemetery in Washington County, and the ongoing efforts to honor its legacy.

Lunch will be catered and RSVP is required.

Friday, June 5: JHC Concert Series
Scheduled for 8 to 10PM.
Act and pricing TBA.

Scan-a-thon at the Stevens Museum Genealogical Library from 11AM to 3PM.

Bring along your old photographs of people and places around Washington County, Indiana to be digitally scanned and added to the Washington County Historical Society’s collection. Scanned copies of photos and documents added to our archives will last forever and will be incredible tools for county citizens and researchers alike. 

Photos of Washington County families, bygone businesses, churches, and historic homes
are welcome. You can keep your originals while scanned copies are added to our records. Bring along your own flash drive and we will be happy to share the scanned copies with you!

America has turned 250 years old and we want to celebrate!

Join us from 1PM to 3PM on the John Hay Center Pioneer Village grounds for a birthday party for our nation. There will be ice cream and treats for everyone, and a chance to socialize with the people in our community and revel in the amazing history of our county and country!

(more details TBA as we get closer to the date)

Friday, August 7: JHC Concert Series
Scheduled for 8 to 10PM.
Act and pricing TBA.

Join local historian Bob Moody to explore the infamous Moody-Tolliver Feud that lit up Orange County, Indiana.
Time TBA
Admission: $10 WCHS Members $12 non-members

Friday, September 4: JHC Concert Series - Ultimate Rock Tribute
Scheduled for 8 to 10PM
Featured act is Lysergic Band
Pricing TBA

Saturday, September 9: Authors Fair

The Annual Authors Fair is back for its third year! Stop by the Depot and explore a variety of incredible local authors, ask questions, obtain signed copies, and more!

Featured guest speaker TBA
Time TBA

Scan-a-thon at the Stevens Museum Genealogical Library from 11AM to 3PM.

Bring along your old photographs of people and places around Washington County, Indiana to be digitally scanned and added to the Washington County Historical Society’s collection. Scanned copies of photos and documents added to our archives will last forever and will be incredible tools for county citizens and researchers alike. 

Photos of Washington County families, bygone businesses, churches, and historic homes
are welcome. You can keep your originals while scanned copies are added to our records. Bring along your own flash drive and we will be happy to share the scanned copies with you!

Saturday, October 3 & Sunday, October 4:

Old Settlers Days Festival

The annual Old Settlers Days Festival at the John Hay Center. Explore our campus, museums, Pioneer Village, the John Hay Birthplace and more while exploring a variety of local crafts and food vendors. Music, food trucks, and a weekend of celebrating Washington County!

Takes place 10am to 4pm both Saturday and Sunday

Saturday, October 3 & Sunday, October 4:

Old Settlers Days Festival

The annual Old Settlers Days Festival at the John Hay Center. Explore our campus, museums, Pioneer Village, the John Hay Birthplace and more while exploring a variety of local crafts and food vendors. Music, food trucks, and a weekend of celebrating Washington County!

Takes place 10am to 4pm both Saturday and Sunday

October 8th to November 5th: Temporary Exhibit ‘Going Pro: Basketball Origins in Indiana’
Temporary Exhibit from the Indiana Historical Society that dives deep into the history
of basketball in the Hoosier state.

Located in the Stevens Memorial Museum Basement and is viewable for free during regular museum hours.

Saturday, October 24: Boo Bash and Pumpkin Walk

Annual Boo Bash arranged by WSLM and held on the John Hay Center grounds from 5 to 7PM. Walk through the Pioneer Village in your Halloween costume and trick or treat from a variety of local businesses.

Hang around to enjoy the amazing carved pumpkins that will line and light up the Village paths until 8PM.

Saturday, November 14:

WCHS Annual Meeting of the Membership

Washington County Historical Society members are invited to our annual meeting at the
Depot Railroad Museum. Join us to elect new board members, hear engaging historical
presentations, present awards, and have a delicious dinner!

Doors open at 5:30PM to allow for early voting with the meeting beginning at 6PM.

Friday, December 4:

Christmas Magic in Salem

Annual community Christmas celebration with a variety of vendors on Brick Street and
at the Stevens Museum, wagon rides, and live music.

Time TBA

Saturday, December 5:

Jim Smoak Concert & Depot Open House

It’s our most popular event of the year! The annual Jim Smoak Concert and Depot Open
House. Beginning at 1PM, come on down to the Depot Railroad Museum to hear the
incredible tones of bluegrass legends Jim Smoak and the Louisiana Honeydrippers.
Refreshments are available and be sure to arrive early to snag a seat!

Also enjoy a walk about the Depot, enjoy the decorations, and see the model trains run!

Friday, December 11:

‘The Polar Express’ at The Depot

Can you hear the sleigh bells? Join us for our annual showing of The Polar Express at
the Depot Railroad Museum. Come dressed in your pajamas and get ready for a train
journey to the North Pole!

Come early at 6PM to get a chance to visit with Santa Claus! Then enjoy the film with
some cookies and hot chocolate.

This event is free to attend although donations are greatly appreciated!

*Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the event*

Scan-a-thon at the Stevens Museum Genealogical Library from 11AM to 3PM.

Bring along your old photographs of people and places around Washington County, Indiana to be digitally scanned and added to the Washington County Historical Society’s collection. Scanned copies of photos and documents added to our archives will last forever and will be incredible tools for county citizens and researchers alike. 

Photos of Washington County families, bygone businesses, churches, and historic homes
are welcome. You can keep your originals while scanned copies are added to our records. Bring along your own flash drive and we will be happy to share the scanned copies with you!