America 250 and You!

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, we should ​patiently remember the courageous sacrifices made for the pursuit of liberty. At the library, we regularly commemorate Americans of all ages and backgrounds and acknowledge their historical contributions in our displays and extensive collection. Pieces of our local history are honored, preserved, and shared every month in our displays, guest speakers, and new reading materials. It is up to us to never forget the stories that made us, while using the hard lessons of our past to guide us to a smarter future.

To commemorate the Semiquincentennial, we are collecting your memories for future generations. We are asking visitors to share their ideas about local life by giving a written or typed memory to our Local History Specialist for our America 250 records. We will collect copies of these documented events, stories, and family recipes for our “In Our Own Words” project all year. You can pick up a worksheet at the library that includes prompts for those who enjoy themes or need an essay-style topic.

We are also creating a “Librarians’ time capsule” that will include the director’s previous CDPL library card, the Librarians’ Questionnaire with our top book recommendations, and images of the staff, patrons, and events. We will seal it in an archival box and place it in the library’s archives at the end of the year, with the hope that future CDPL staff will open it in 50 years on our 300th anniversary.

Be sure to explore our collection of relevant topics or dive into a deep family history search at a Local History workstation. Access to our large biography and history collection makes finding the perfect read easy. Are you seeking inspiration, or do you want to learn more about our past? Check out a few of these great options from our collection.

David Rubenstein shares his conversations with our greatest historians as they discuss significant people and events, offering fresh insight into pivotal moments. “The American Story: Conversations with Master Historians” (973.07202 RUB) also features an introduction by the former Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, the first woman and the first African American to lead our national library.

Benjamin Woolley charts the journey of the first colonists claiming stake in a beautiful landscape with a preexisting, sophisticated culture. “Savage Kingdom: The True Story of Jamestown, 1607, and the Settlement of America” (973.21 Woo) reveals a reckless enterprise led by outcasts to create a ramshackle outpost that laid the foundations for the United States.

Dana Bash’s “America’s Deadliest Election: The Cautionary Tale of the Most Violent Election in American History” (324.9763 Bash) provides an eye-opening warning about the importance of protecting our democracy. Through the history of the Louisiana election of 1872, we learn the story of two governors who claimed office and refused to cede. The state was thrown into chaos, prompting a public war of words, plots to overthrow the government, fighting in the streets, attempted assassinations, and the birth of the Ku Klux Klan.

In “Latino Firsts: Trailblazers and Milestones in United States History” (920.009268 Kanellos), Nicolás Kanellos presents his research of more than 1,250 events in Latino American history, including inspirational stories, amazing people, remarkable achievements, and ground-breaking accomplishments.

Cokie Roberts brings to life the phenomenal accomplishments of women who laid the foundation for our current society in “Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation” (920 Rob). Roberts blends biographical portraits and behind-the-scenes chronicles of women’s public roles and private responsibilities using unpublished personal correspondence, private journals, and other primary sources. “America’s Women: Four Hundred Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates, and Heroines” (305.40973 Collins) by Gail Collins traces the history of women in America while noting the societal and political rules that influenced the lives of women for generations.

In “Lineage: Genealogy and the Power of Connection in Early America” (GEN 929.1 Wulf), Karin A. Wulf affirms that genealogy shaped our society in an era where individuals, families, and institutions meticulously documented their connections through handwritten notes, intricate textiles, stone carvings, family records, financial ledgers, and court documents. These materials, created by both enslaved individuals and the founding fathers, contributed to the legacy that shaped the early United States. Our history is also documented through the tradition of handing down family recipes. Gabrielle Langholtz’s “America: The Cookbook” (641.5 Lan) celebrates the remarkable diversity of American food and culture state by state.

Over four million miles and forty-plus years, Bob Dotson searched for people who have quietly but profoundly changed our country. He highlights unsung heroes with thoughtful solutions to our everyday problems, giving us the blueprints to living the dream in the “American Story: A Lifetime Search for Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things” (973 DOT).

At last count, we had 114,648 reading materials and media for all ages and interests. Update your card to the new Evergreen card at your next visit and gain access to even more books from over 100 other Indiana libraries. Don’t have a card? Pull up a chair and spend an afternoon reading in our beautiful building. The library is a place for everyone. If you are interested in searching our online catalog or viewing our calendar of events, visit our website at www.crawfordsvillelibrary.in.gov or call 765-362-2242.