Hancock County HIstorical Society

The Hancock County Historical Society includes the Old Log Jail Museum and the Chapel in the Park Museum. The buildings are open to the public for tours on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5p.m. in the months of April through October. Admission is $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children. The historic Chapel in the Park does hold a variety of events throughout the year - including speakers and other presentations. Both museum contain a wide variety of items all related to the history of Hancock County Indiana. This includes everything from Ice Age animal fossils to Native American artifacts to Civil War memorabilia and to local business items and items that belonged to families who resided within the county. Highlights of our items include the official symbol of the Democrat Party - the Democrat Rooster, Beulah Driffel's box, and items pertaining to Hancock County's most famous son, James Whitcomb Riley. Other famous folk from Hancock County include: H. Weir Cook - World War I & II Flying Ace Will Vawter - famous artist Reverend Charles O'Donnell - Former President of Notre Dame University Mary Alice Smith - Little Orphant Annie Jaycie Phelps - Olympic Gold Medalist in Gymnastics Mark Dismore - Indy Car Driver