Museum News

At the Clabber Girl Museum, we invite our visitors to take a trip back in time to the days of yesteryear and imagine how life was in Terre Haute.  We have installed window film with photographs from the 1800's along the west side of the building.  The first window shows a picture of Wabash Avenue with a beautiful archway across the road.  Flags and banners adorn the buildings on each side of the street, with people looking out windows in anticipation.  The view was from 5th and Main (Wabash Avenue), Hulman & Company's original location.  Hulman & Company is seen at the left of the photo.  The date was July 4, 1876 and the Terre Haute Centennial Celebration was just getting underway.  a beautifully decorated archway stretches across Main street, with a proclamation welcoming all visitors.  The Centennial Celebration of 1876 was a grand, elaborate event for all cities across the nation.  A huge Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia celebrating the nation's 100th birthday began in May and continued for several months.  It has been noted that Herman Hulman took his family to this fabulous exhibition.  The townsfolk of Terre Haute decided they would have their own celebration that would not be outdone.  According to the Terre Haute Sunday Express, on June 6, 1876, Mayor Edmunds held a meeting with the citizens and they decided that they would "...get up such a celebration as would startle the American eagle and astonish the people of Indiana and Illinois". Terre Haute Sunday Express, July 1, 1876: The parade was to [start at Market (Third Street) and] "Ohio to Second, north on Second to Main (Wabash) east on Main to Seventh, north on Seventh to Chestnut, east on Chestnut to the depot, and from thence, those wishing to continue, to the fairgrounds."  Every home in the town was to be decorated for the event.  The most lavishly decorated homes were given honorable mention in the Terre Haute Gazette.  Herman and Antonia's home was one of those mentioned.  Main Street (Wabash Avenue) was ornately decorated by the merchants, and the Fairgrounds were prepared to host thousands of visitors for the jubilant affair.  The city extended invitations to hundreds of individuals and organizations, and many acceptances were published in the Gazette during the month prior to the celebration.  Thousands of people came to Terre Haute for the parade and celebration that began at 10 a.m. on July 4th.  It was reported that the parade was "A procession three miles in length, and beautiful as the morning". The centennial was a success for Terre Haute, and all their hard work was well received by the visitors.  It should be noted, however, that this was not the only time a magnificent arch crossed the city's main street.  In 1898 the merchants of Terre Haute began a series of Street Fairs that were designed to benefit tradesmen and advertise the city.  The first fair began on October 10, 1898, lasted a week, and brought thousands of visitors to the city.  Two archways were built for this occasion, and the downtown merchants decorated their storefronts in special themes.  The fair was titled "Street Fair and Peace Jubliee", and was hosted along Main Street.  Visitors were entertained with free shows, between Third and Eighth Streets, and vendor stands on the streets.  Free music, Couchie Couchie girls, lions and buttered popcorn were also there.  A floral parade on October 12 was the highlight of the affair and featured a Tally-Ho from Indianapolis decorated with 5,000 roses.  Fifty gentlemen escorted the fair queen on horseback as it traveled it's route.  As the visitors left the Fair, they purchased commemorative ribbons and badges as a souvenir of their trip.  Many of these items and photographs of the early fairs are now at the Vigo County Historical Society.

Culinary Tours

Summer is just around the corner!  Like most people, I look forward to firing up the grill and enjoying the smell of hickory.  This favorite past-time is not always possible, so take a day off and join the Clabber Girl Culinary Division this spring for our Saturday cooking demonstrations.  Sit back, relax and unwind as we teach you how to make some quick, easy and 'cool' meal ideas that you're sure to enjoy all summer!  At Clabber Girl, we believe there is something for everyone.  Whether you enjoy berries, lemons and limes, cooking light, cold soups and more, join us for some great ideas on how to make your summer foods delicious and fun.  Saturday classes do not require reservations; they start at 11:00 a.m. and last about one hour.  Admission is $5.  Stop by the Bake Shop before class and pick up an iced mocha or smoothie to enjoy during the demonstration.  Don't forget we also have evening classes in the summer for those wanting to explore a little further.  Our summer calendar will be available on our website soon!  I hope everyone has a great spring and summer and I will see you in the kitchen!