Welcome!

Ohio County Historical Socitey & Museum Website

212 S. Walnut
Rising Sun, Indiana 47040
812 438-4915
ohiocohist@orvcomm.com

Established in 1969, the Ohio County Historical Society opened its museum in 1972. Housed in a 19th century plow factory, most of the contents have been donated by Ohio County residents, their families, and friends. Displays focus on the 1800’s and early 20th century life and events. Included in the displays is an AUTO-HARP, the first coin-operated music player.

The best known item in the collection is the racing boat, HOOSIER BOY, famous raceboat of the early 1900’s. The boat holds the record between Cincinnati and Louisville, round trip, at 60 mph. It was designed, built and raced by J. W. Whitlock of Rising Sun.

On October 5, 2003, the HOOSIER GIRL, the sister boat to the HOOSIER BOY, came home.  The HOOSIER GIRL was built in the 1940s after the first one (built 1908) sunk in the early 1940s.  She is an exact duplicate of the original boat.

The Ohio County Historical Society Museum has the finest historical collection in southeastern Indiana.

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Two Headed Calf!

This two-headed calf was born on an Ohio County farm in June 1989.  Dr. Don Beckett performed the cesarean section and the calf lived for 45 minutes. Come see the preserved calf at the museum!

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Ohio County Historical Publications

The Ohio Co. Historical Society has published four books pertaining to
OHIO COUNTY history and people. They have been written by county historian,
Dillon R. Dorrell, who is a past president of the Historical Society for several years. The books are:

Ohio Co. Cemeteries-$20.00
Ohio Co. Community Story-$15.00
Mostly About Ohio Co. Folks-$15.00
Ohio Co. Families of the 1900’s-$5.00

William J. Dichtl authored the pictorial book: Ohio County, Indiana-$19.99

dana hildebrand, great-granddaughter of J. W. Whitlock, has authored a five-volume series of booklets about J. W. Whitlock:

Volume 1-The Hoosier Boys-$7.50

Volume 2-The Hoosier Girl & More-$7.50

Volume 3-The Chair Factory-$10.00

Volume 4-Family-$10.00

Volume 5-Inventions & Music-$7.50

The five-volume set-$37.00

Please add 7% tax and $3.00 for shipping of each book ordered.