Hamilton County Bicentennial focuses on White River Township this month

The Hamilton County Bicentennial Commission announces its lineup of grant-funded events for March 2023.

This month the commission celebrates White River Township, located in the northeastern corner of Hamilton County and home to the community of Strawtown. This largely rural township has a long tradition of farming, beginning with Native American settlement hundreds of years ago where Strawtown currently sits.

During March, the commission will highlight how White River Township impacts the Hamilton County community with events at Strawtown Koteewi Park and Walnut Grove Community Center. The traveling exhibit will also tour during the month. You can see details and other events at hamcoturns200.com/events.

Rising Star Actors & Musicians Workshop

March 4 from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.
Monon Community Center
1195 Central Park Drive West, Carmel
Free

The International Talent Academy invites children aged 5 to 12 to sign up for a free workshop where participants will work with a guest artist who will talk about Hamilton County musicians and actors who had an impact on performance arts in the area. Click here to sign up.

First Farmers

March 25 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Taylor Center of Natural History
12308 Strawtown Ave., Noblesville
Free

Hamilton County Parks and Recreation will partner with the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma for a day of learning about Indiana’s First Farmers. Strawtown Koteewi Park has recovered archaeological evidence of plant domestication and farming that will be available to explore.

Members of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma will be onsite to discuss historic gardens, planting corn, and other farming practices. Guests are also encouraged to visit with a paleoethnobotanist to learn how plant remains are recovered on archaeological sites. Demonstrations on processing Chenopodium and other previously domesticated plants and clay pot cooking will also take place. Relationships with plants for food, medicine and lifeways will also be explored.

Annual Fish Fry

April 1 from 4 to 7:30 p.m.
Walnut Grove Community Center
12695 E. 256th St., Cicero
$12 for adults, $7 for 12 & under. Activities are free.

White River Township’s annual Dan’s Fish Fry is a great opportunity to have a good meal while learning about the history of White River Township and Walnut Grove schools through displays and artifacts. Outside, there will be a touch-a-truck area with old and new farm equipment, and kids of all ages are welcome as representatives from Strawtown Koteewi Park located nearby and other organizations show off what makes them special.

About the Bicentennial
The Hamilton County Bicentennial Commission was established by the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners as the official oversight agency for the 200th anniversary of the county in 2023. It will do so in partnership with the Hamilton County Historical Society, Hamilton County Tourism, Inc., and lead sponsor Duke Energy. For more information, visit hamcoturns200.com.