Open house planned at Paynetown SRA

People with family history or interest in the Salt Creek Valley area are invited to attend an open house from 1 to 5 p.m. July 7 at Paynetown State Recreation Area, 4850 S. State Road 446, Bloomington.

Monroe Lake is in the middle of a long-term project to document and map the history of the area, which stretches across southern Brown County, southeastern Monroe County, northwestern Jackson County and the northeastern edge of Lawrence County.

People are invited to stop by the Deer Run Shelter to learn about the project, view some of the resources already collected and contribute their own history and stories to the project, according to a news release from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of State Parks.

Attendees can see maps of historic sites in the valley area, look through print resources, search the genealogy database and view historic photos.

Monroe Lake also is collecting information on historic sites and family histories. Bring in your own photos, maps and other documents on the Salt Creek Valley area to be scanned and added to the collection. If you have more than a couple of items to be scanned or a lot of information or stories to share, you may sign up to return later in the year for a family history interview.

This is a rescheduling of the open house originally scheduled for February that was postponed due to extended flooding at the lake.

There is a $7 entry fee per in-state vehicle. Vehicles with out-of-state license plates are $9.