We’re coming together to commemorate two hundred years of Madison County's existence. Our goal is to be inclusive of all county residents and to create an awareness of all facets of our county history through education, special events, fellowship, and celebration.
Nestled on the banks of White River and just 30 miles northeast of Indianapolis, Madison County is, in many ways, a microcosm of the American Midwest. Comprised of 450 square miles and 130,000 people, Madison County is home to Mounds State Park, Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing and Casino, and Anderson University (a private, liberal arts institution offering more than 60 undergraduate majors).
With suburban development pushing east from Hamilton County, much of the southern portions of Madison County are now considered within the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area. Once home to about 20 General Motors’ plants, in 1971 one in every three people in Anderson worked for General Motors. However, today, like hundreds of other communities across the rust belt, Anderson continues its economic recovery from those bygone days. Conversely, Northern Madison County remains representative of rural Indiana with rolling farmlands weaving their way through a handful of idyllic cities and towns.
Madison County is also synonymous with high school basketball. The now vacant Anderson Wigwam was once the world’s second largest high school gymnasium. Collectively, Madison County schools have won six coveted state basketball championships and boasts five former Mr. Basketball award winners and one Miss Basketball winner. The award honors the best basketball player in the state of Indiana and is the oldest such award in the nation, having been established in 1939 (girls in 1976).
We, in Madison County, continue to cleave to our historic blue-collar work ethic and hometown values. Join us in this momentous, year-long celebration of the 200th anniversary of this great Indiana county!
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Learn more by attending historical presentations throughout 2023. Click Here to See Event Details
Visit the Madison County Historical Society Website to read more about the fascinating events of the last 200 years.
Operated by the Madison County Historical Society, Inc.
Preserving our heritage since 1884
Mastodons, Mounds, Manufacturers
Veterans, Vehicles, Visionaries
Athletes, Artists, Agriculturists
15 W. 11th Street, Anderson, IN
Mon–Wed–Fri, 9:00 am– 3:00 pm
765-683-0052
Our heartfelt thank you to everyone who is participating in this historic event. From the organizations working together to plan, to individual volunteers, to businesses that call Madison County home. We are all proud to be a part of this great community and are pleased to celebrate its 200th year!
- The Madison County Bicentennial Committee
Summitville Public Library
elwood.lib.in.us
Elwood IN Heritage Center & Museum
www.facebook.com/groups/691839805396410
Madison County Historical Society
andersonmchs.com
The Museum of Madison County History has newly installed exhibits specifically relating to our Bicentennial.
Exhibits include: Made in Madison County, Pioneers and Prehistory, Veterans Hall of Honor, and Arena of Champions.
These exhibits are open from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Date: TBD
Holiday BookFest will be held in the Bowman Room at the Madison County Historical Society. This is an opportunity to pick up gently used books at rock bottom prices. There will also be local authors selling and signing their books for you. Gift Baskets, fantastic as always, will be raffled.
This represents a Madison County Bicentennial Legacy assisted project. It was done in partnership with the Historic Gruenewald House in Anderson.