The Jackson County History Center near the courthouse square in Brownstown plans to have its first Jackson County Heritage Days from Friday through Sunday.

“We hope to make it an annual event,” said history center volunteer Margo Brewer of Brownstown. “We want to celebrate the heritage of Jackson County.”

Also this weekend, the center will be celebrating its 100th birthday. From its beginnings in 1916, the center has grown to include three museums, a genealogy library and a pioneer village that features four log buildings.

“All of the four log buildings will be open for re-enactments of the pioneer life,” Brewer said.

There will be volunteers in each building who will be available to answer questions, she said. The log buildings include the first trading post in Jackson County, a school and church meetinghouse, a string fort and a pioneer fort.

At 1 p.m. Saturday, there will be a dedication ceremony for the cabin that was donated by Brownstown Central Community School Corp. The cabin was moved from Brownstown Elementary School, where it sat for many years, to the center.

Over the years, the center also has received a variety of donations, including a thrashing machine, a circus car and a ticket booth from Seymour’s Stardust Drive-in.

“We wouldn’t exist without all of the donations people have given to us,” Brewer said. “And we sill receive antiques nearly every day to add on to our history collection.”

There will be a stage for entertainment and food. All proceeds will benefit the center, which is open in April for use by fourth-grade teachers looking to supplement their Indiana history with tours of the museums and buildings at the center.

Brewer estimates there are at least 2,000 visitors to the center each year.

“We have many people who use our genealogy building,” she said. “We have had people as far away as Wisconsin and Arizona who have traced their roots in Jackson County, and then come here to finish their family history.”

During Heritage Days, the buildings will be open from 5 p.m. until dusk Friday; from 10 a.m. until dusk Saturday; and from noon until 4 p.m. Sunday.

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What: Jackson County Heritage Days

When: 5 p.m. to dusk Friday, 10 a.m. to dusk Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday; cabin dedication ceremony at 1 p.m. Saturday

Where: Jackson County History Center, 105 N. Sugar St., Brownstown

Features: All buildings on the campus will be open for tours and reenactments, and entertainment and food will be available

Information: Margo Brewer at 812-358-2924 or Gloria Cross at 812-358-4005 and leave a message.

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