Hayden Historical Museum

Merchandise

Item No. 01- "The President Was Here" Video or DVD Order

President Nixon's Visit to Jennings County, June 24, 1971

In 1971, a local Indiana Junior Historical Society made up of students from Jennings County High School, initiated a project to purchase a roadside plaque to honor the birthplace of President Richard Nixon's mother. Hannah Milhous Nixon was born on a farm near Butlerville, Indiana, and the plaque to commemorate that fact was dedicated by the President at the invitation of the high school students. That day's events has been called the most historic day for Jennings County but at the time of President Nixon's death in 1994, very few of today's students knew of his visit to their county.

Another group of history-minded Jennings County students, this time at the grade school level, wanted to learn more about the Nixon visit. To help these 4th, 5th, and 6th graders who make up the Hayden Little Hoosier Historians learn more about this important event, their chapter director, Rodger Ruddick, began to make contacts with some of the people who were on hand that day on June 24, 1971.

Once the group felt they had exhausted all efforts to acquire slides, photographs, and home movies that were taken the day of Nixon's visit, they were incorporated on videotape with the actual radio broadcast soundtrack. The results not only preserve this historic moment for their county's history, it also enhances a positive image in which former President Nixon can be remembered. The speech he gave that day in 1971 is probably one of his most inspirational ones, especially for young people, and should stand the test of time.

Item No. 02- Center of Gravity T-shirts Order

"Hayden, Indiana Home of the Center of Gravity"

Town historians say the first train rolled into Hardenburg (now Hayden) on July 4, 1854. Allegedly, the train crew reported that the usual amount of steam power needed to 'pull out of Hardenburg" would not suffice. Similar reports continued over the years, but no apparent conclusions or solutions were identified as to what pulled things down" in Hayden. Years later, the railroad relocated to the south side of town where this mysterious force seemed to disappear.

However, the story doesn't end there. In the 1920s, US Hwy. 50 came through town on the road now running in front of the Hayden Historical Museum. Once again, motorists complained of a strange force that slowed them down, caused their engines to misfire, and made it hard to start again if they stopped. After only a few years, authorities relocated the highway farther south of town than the railroad and again the problems ended.

Hayden High School teacher and coach Charles "Chuck" Hurley coined the popular phrase the Hayden Spirit' for a similar phenomenon that seemed to "pull back" people to Hayden just as the trains and cars seemed to be "pulled down" by the infamous force. The "Center of Gravity" is not the only force that attracts people to Hayden, Indiana. Hayden is a great place to live and raise your family. The citizens of Hayden take great pride in their community and work hard to keep their churches, schools and civic organizations strong. The 'Hayden Spirit' represents what is best about Hoosier small town life. I am honored the citizens of Hayden have asked me to join them on Saturday when they mark the point from which this mysterious power emanates - the "Center of Gravity"

The Hayden Historical Museum keeps the Hayden community strong. The museum commemorates Hayden's past accomplishments and helps build its strong future. Elementary school members of Hayden's Little Hoosier Historians and high school members of Whitcomb's Winners use the Museum every day to study the history of their town and state. The Museum library contains books, authentic letters, and a pictorial history of the town where Hayden's children can learn about the people and history of their small town of 250 people.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent the people of Hayden in Congress. I applaud their enthusiastic commitment to education, arts, family, and community. The dedication celebration this weekend honors not only the Hayden Historical Museum's status as the "Center of Gravity," but also the illustrious past and promising future of a remarkable Indiana community.

Item No. 03- Hayden Spirit T-shirts Order

"The Hayden Spirit"

How can we define it? We can start at the beginning with the early Spencer Township settlers and work our way through, highlighting the various achievements of the people or historical events that have occurred. We recall that over fifty soldiers from the Hayden area fought with the Indiana 82nd Regt. and was honored for their gallant stand on Snodgrass Hill during the Battle of Chickamauga. We know that the same three churches first established in the 1800’s are still going. That generation after generation of Spencer Twp. kids have used the same school grounds since 1868. That many of the same last names listed as landowners on the 1884 township map still appear on a current map. And after acquiring the building to create a museum for the local community, over $30,000 was raised in less than three months to cover the expenses to remodel the old chicken house and to transform it into a showcase for the Hayden and Spencer Twp. memorabilia.

‘The Hayden Spirit’ T-shirts are white with the navy blue letters

Item No. 04- Hayden History Book -Now Available on CD!- Order the CD

Hayden, Indiana and Spencer Township History
Author, Rodger Ruddick

This 145 page, hardback book* contains the chronological history of the local community from the early 1800's up to 1981. There are 96 photographs to enhance the history of the area. The book also contains:

A directory of all Hayden High School graduates, either listed by name or shown in their class pictures, from 1897 - 1960
A map and list of the first property owners in the township.
The Hayden Haymaker basketball team rosters and scores by year.
Selected team photos such as county tourney champions and sectional runner-up squad.
Listings of:
- Town Doctors
- Township Trustees
- Hayden Postmasters
- Ministers for the Hayden Baptist and Methodist Churches
- Priests for the St. Joseph Catholic Church
- Burial records of selected township cemeteries
- School teacher

*The hardback book itself has sold out, but is now available on CD.

Item No. 05- School Prints Order

"Hayden High School- Hayden, Indiana"

Prints are 10 x 12. These school prints depict the last three Hayden schools. Proceeds from the sale of these prints benefit the Hayden High School Alumni Assn. and their annual scholarship.

The Michael Euler Memorial Award is given to an outstanding Jennings Co. High School senior who attended Hayden Elementary and is named in honor of the last Spencer Twp. serviceman to loose his life while serving his country.

Item No. 06- Hayden Spirit Newsletter Please Join

"Hayden Historical Museum Membership"

Membership to Hayden Historical Museum includes subscription to the quarterly Newsletter "The Hayden Spirit".

Print an Order Form

	Merchandise Item No. 01- "The President Was Here" Video or DVD Order President Nixon's Visit to Jennings County, June 24, 1971 In 1971, a local Indiana Junior Historical Society made up of students from Jennings County High School, initiated a project to purchase a roadside plaque to honor the birthplace of President Richard Nixon's mother. Hannah Milhous Nixon was born on a farm near Butlerville, Indiana, and the plaque to commemorate that fact was dedicated by the President at the invitation of the high school students. That day's events has been called the most historic day for Jennings County but at the time of President Nixon's death in 1994, very few of today's students knew of his visit to their county. Another group of history-minded Jennings County students, this time at the grade school level, wanted to learn more about the Nixon visit. To help these 4th, 5th, and 6th graders who make up the Hayden Little Hoosier Historians learn more about this important event, their chapter director, Rodger Ruddick, began to make contacts with some of the people who were on hand that day on June 24, 1971. Once the group felt they had exhausted all efforts to acquire slides, photographs, and home movies that were taken the day of Nixon's visit, they were incorporated on videotape with the actual radio broadcast soundtrack. The results not only preserve this historic moment for their county's history, it also enhances a positive image in which former President Nixon can be remembered. The speech he gave that day in 1971 is probably one of his most inspirational ones, especially for young people, and should stand the test of time. Item No. 02- Center of Gravity T-shirts Order "Hayden, Indiana Home of the Center of Gravity" Town historians say the first train rolled into Hardenburg (now Hayden) on July 4, 1854. Allegedly, the train crew reported that the usual amount of steam power needed to 'pull out of Hardenburg" would not suffice. Similar reports continued over the years, but no apparent conclusions or solutions were identified as to what pulled things down" in Hayden. Years later, the railroad relocated to the south side of town where this mysterious force seemed to disappear. However, the story doesn't end there. In the 1920s, US Hwy. 50 came through town on the road now running in front of the Hayden Historical Museum. Once again, motorists complained of a strange force that slowed them down, caused their engines to misfire, and made it hard to start again if they stopped. After only a few years, authorities relocated the highway farther south of town than the railroad and again the problems ended. Hayden High School teacher and coach Charles "Chuck" Hurley coined the popular phrase the Hayden Spirit' for a similar phenomenon that seemed to "pull back" people to Hayden just as the trains and cars seemed to be "pulled down" by the infamous force. The "Center of Gravity" is not the only force that attracts people to Hayden, Indiana. Hayden is a great place to live and raise your family. The citizens of Hayden take great pride in their community and work hard to keep their churches, schools and civic organizations strong. The 'Hayden Spirit' represents what is best about Hoosier small town life. I am honored the citizens of Hayden have asked me to join them on Saturday when they mark the point from which this mysterious power emanates - the "Center of Gravity" The Hayden Historical Museum keeps the Hayden community strong. The museum commemorates Hayden's past accomplishments and helps build its strong future. Elementary school members of Hayden's Little Hoosier Historians and high school members of Whitcomb's Winners use the Museum every day to study the history of their town and state. The Museum library contains books, authentic letters, and a pictorial history of the town where Hayden's children can learn about the people and history of their small town of 250 people. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent the people of Hayden in Congress. I applaud their enthusiastic commitment to education, arts, family, and community. The dedication celebration this weekend honors not only the Hayden Historical Museum's status as the "Center of Gravity," but also the illustrious past and promising future of a remarkable Indiana community. Item No. 03- Hayden Spirit T-shirts Order "The Hayden Spirit" How can we define it? We can start at the beginning with the early Spencer Township settlers and work our way through, highlighting the various achievements of the people or historical events that have occurred. We recall that over fifty soldiers from the Hayden area fought with the Indiana 82nd Regt. and was honored for their gallant stand on Snodgrass Hill during the Battle of Chickamauga. We know that the same three churches first established in the 1800’s are still going. That generation after generation of Spencer Twp. kids have used the same school grounds since 1868. That many of the same last names listed as landowners on the 1884 township map still appear on a current map. And after acquiring the building to create a museum for the local community, over $30,000 was raised in less than three months to cover the expenses to remodel the old chicken house and to transform it into a showcase for the Hayden and Spencer Twp. memorabilia. ‘The Hayden Spirit’ T-shirts are white with the navy blue letters Item No. 04- Hayden History Book -Now Available on CD!- Order the CD Hayden, Indiana and Spencer Township History Author, Rodger Ruddick This 145 page, hardback book* contains the chronological history of the local community from the early 1800's up to 1981. There are 96 photographs to enhance the history of the area. The book also contains: A directory of all Hayden High School graduates, either listed by name or shown in their class pictures, from 1897 - 1960 A map and list of the first property owners in the township. The Hayden Haymaker basketball team rosters and scores by year. Selected team photos such as county tourney champions and sectional runner-up squad. Listings of: Town Doctors Township Trustees Hayden Postmasters Ministers for the Hayden Baptist and Methodist Churches Priests for the St. Joseph Catholic Church Burial records of selected township cemeteries School teacher The hardback book itself has sold out, but is now available on CD. Item No. 05- School Prints* Order "Hayden High School- Hayden, Indiana" Prints are 10 x 12. These school prints depict the last three Hayden schools. Proceeds from the sale of these prints benefit the Hayden High School Alumni Assn. and their annual scholarship. The Michael Euler Memorial Award is given to an outstanding Jennings Co. High School senior who attended Hayden Elementary and is named in honor of the last Spencer Twp. serviceman to loose his life while serving his country. Item No. 06- Hayden Spirit Newsletter Please Join "Hayden Historical Museum Membership" Membership to Hayden Historical Museum includes subscription to the quarterly Newsletter "The Hayden Spirit". Print an Order Form