Rally Pole Raising

Truth-In-Jazz Will Play at County Museum

On Friday, May 22nd, Elkhart County Historical Museum will be swinging to the sounds of the Truth-In-Jazz. The free concert will occur from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. in the museum’s auditorium.

Music is such an important part of our local history, and we hope to celebrate this tradition by hosting one of Elkhart’s most celebrated bands. Besides being known as the former Band Instrument Manufacturing Capital of the World, Elkhart is also home to many distinguished performing artists.

The Truth-In-Jazz is an 18 piece big band formed in 1998 by Truth Publisher David Ogle with the help of Steve Pettit and under the direction of Gay Burton. Dave Plank acts as the current Director. The band’s instrumentation is based off the big band standard developed by the great William “Count” Basie: 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, 5 saxophones, Bass, Piano, Guitar and Drums.

Having recently restructured with a brand new sponsor, Goshen Health Systems, Truth-In-Jazz is excited to be back and is playing better than ever. The band is also in the process of launching a new website, www.truthinjazz.com, so get online to discover more information about the band and visit their calendar page to see where they are playing next!

Light refreshments will be sold by the Elkhart County Historical Society. Come early to catch a front row seat!

For more information please contact the museum at 574-848-4322.

Museum to Recreate Political Rally Pole Tradition

Have you ever imagined what early political rallies were like in Elkhart County’s history? On May 16, the Elkhart County Historical Museum will provide a glimpse into rally pole raisings that were a popular form of campaign life in Michiana. The pole raising will occur from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. and will be followed by a talk on local pole raisings that occurred in Elkhart County from 1832 to 1900.

Before yard signs became fashionable, residents would demonstrate their support by erecting campaign poles in their town squares. Democrats used hickory poles, a tradition that stemmed from Andrew Jackson’s (who was nicknamed “Old Hickory”) campaign in 1832. Republicans used poles of oak or tamarack. Often the poles were over 100 feet tall and displayed large banners proclaiming the owner’s political support.

Pole raisings were a fascinating tradition that occurred during Presidential elections, Political parties in most localities even competed to see who could raise the taller pole.

Pole raisings were popular community events complete with musical entertainment, picnics, and speeches that usually chided the opposition. Among the most notable pole raisings occurred in New Paris. Democrats from Goshen and New Paris raised a campaign pole in Jackson Township in 1848. The pole was over 100 feet long and displayed a banner inscribed with the party ticket of “Cass and Butler.” Both Democrats and Republicans continued this tradition into the 1890s with pole raisings in most Elkhart County communities.

Though the museum’s pole will not be 100 feet long, the scaled version will provide a good example of an early pole raising. The pole will be raised in front of the museum. Visitors are encouraged to picnic and watch the pole raising and hear speeches from the time period by two costumed reenactors representing a Democrat and Republican. Visitors can also help decorate and raise the pole. Children can also design their own flags to fly on the pole. After the pole is raised, Museum Director Nick Hoffman will give a talk on the history of pole raisings as well as other political rallies that occurred in Elkhart County from 1840 to 1900.
For more information, please contact Museum Director Nick Hoffman at 574-848-4322