12
Sep
2026

Scan-a-thon at the Stevens Museum Genealogical Library

09-12-2026 11:00 am

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!

03
Oct
2026

Old Settlers Days

10-03-2026 10:00 am

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

04
Oct
2026

Old Settlers Days

10-04-2026 10:00 am

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

08
Oct
2026

IHS Traveling Exhibit - Going Pro: Basketball Origins in Indiana

10-08-2026 - 11-05-2026

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.

24
Oct
2026

Boo Bash and Pumpkin Walk

10-24-2026 5:00 pm

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.

08
Nov
2026

Afternoon Tea: Madame CJ Walker with Guest Speaker Vickie Daniel

11-08-2026 2:00 pm

We will be enjoying a visit from historian Vickie Daniels who will help us explore the life and times of trailblazing entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the United States' first female self-made millionaire, Madame CJ Walker!

14
Nov
2026

WCHS Annual Meeting of the Membership

11-14-2026 5:30 pm

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.

04
Dec
2026

Christmas Magic in Salem

12-04-2026

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

05
Dec
2026

Jim Smoak Concert & Depot Open House

12-05-2026 1:00 pm

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!

11
Dec
2026

Showing of Polar Express at The Depot

12-11-2026 6:00 pm

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*

Photo of John Milton HayWho was John Hay?

Statesman, Author, Ambassador

John Hay was a great American statesman, diplomat, author and poet, whose political career spanned over 50 years.  He was born in a small brick home in Salem, Indiana, on October 8, 1838.

After John displayed considerable potential in his schooling, his Uncle Milton Hay, who was a practicing lawyer in Springfield, Illinois, took a special interest and sent him to Brown University, where he graduated in 1858. 

In 1860, when John Hay’s childhood friend, John Nicolay, was appointed Abraham Lincoln’s presidential campaign secretary, he was brought on board to assist with the enormous amount of correspondence. 

Hay grew to adore President Lincoln for his goodness, patience, understanding, sense of humor, humility, magnanimity, healthy skepticism, sense of justice, resilience and power, love of the common man and mystical patriotism. Many later noted that Lincoln too, loved Hay as a son and was very attached to him.

In 1903, after years of negotiating treaties, Hay successfully passed legislation that afforded the United States the opportunity to start construction on the Panama Canal. 

Brown University’s John Hay Library was named in his honor, as was the John Hay Air Base, in the Philippines and both his birth home, in Salem, Indiana and his summer estate, The Fells, in New Hampshire, have been historically conserved. 

John Hay Center Hours of Operation

Thursdays - 10:00am – 5:00pm
Fridays - 10:00am – 5:00pm
Saturdays - 10:00am – 5:00pm

Tour Pricing

Self-Guided Tours

Adult (Age 18+) - Donation
Child (Age 6-17) - Donation

Guided Tours

Complete Comprehensive Tour
(Museum,Pioneer Village, The Depot)
Adult (Age 18+) - Tour Price  $20.00
Child (Ages 6-17) - Tour Price $10.00
Guided Tours - Free to Members

Steven's Museum Guided Tour
(Approximate 2 hour Tour)
Adult (Age 18+) -  Tour Price $7.00
Child (Ages 6-17) - Tour Price $4.00
Guided Tours - Free to Members

Pioneer Village
(Approximate 1 hour Tour)
Adult (Age 18+) - Tour Price $7.00
Child (Ages 6-17) - $4.00
Guided Tours - Free to Members

The Depot Railroad Museum
(Approximate 1 hour Tour)
Adult (Age 18+) - $7.00
Child (Ages 6-17) - $4.00
Guided Tours - Free to Members

School Tours

Private & Public School Tours: $3.00 per student/parent (Teachers free & 10 student minimum)

Private Tours

Scheduled Private Tours (More than 5 Guests) (Minimum $50)

Additional Information

*All regular tours are free for Life Members
*Children under 5 are free

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