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We are off to the races on this season finale of Unbound! First, Casey explores the rich history of African American racers and the Colored Speedway Association. Then, Regan recounts the story of the races that took place in the air at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Balloons Over Indianapolis

Further Information:

Colored Speedway Association Officials
Sumner "Red" Oliver
Officials, Drivers, and Mechanics at the Gold and Glory Sweepstakes Race

Balloon Race, 1909
National Championship Balloon Race, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 1910
Carl G. Fisher

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This episode Casey and Regan are on the lam exploring the histories of prisons and prison reform in Indiana. Regan begins by telling us the story of two prison reformers Rhoda Coffin and Sarah J. Smith who helped to found the first women's prison in Indiana; which spurs a conversation into the complexities of historical figures. Casey dives into the fascinating history of the Indiana Boys' School a prison for boys ages 8 - 21 which operated in Indiana between 1867 and 2005.

Rhoda Coffin and the Darker Side of Prison Reform
The Indiana Boys' School

Further Information:
Indiana Women's Prison, 1914
Indiana Women's Prison Cell
Indiana Women's Prison Kitchen

Indiana Boys School
Indiana Boys School Room
Hospital at the Indiana Boys School, Plainfield, Indiana
Officers and Ladies, Indiana Boys School, Plainfield 1932

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Casey and Regan dive into the rich world of Indiana's Syrian immigrant communities. First, Casey looks at the immigrant community that existed in Indianapolis in the early 1900s, through the lens of a local celebrity, Ramanos the Fencer. Then, Regan tells about the largest Syrian community outside of New York located in Fort Wayne, and how they made their homes there.

Ramanos the Fencer
Largest Syrian Colony Outside New York

Further Information:

Nicholas Shaheen

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Have you ever looked at a photograph and wondered what, where, or who you were looking at in the image? Join Regan, Amy, and Director of Access and Preservation, Susan Sutton, as they talk about falling down the rabbit hole and discuss the tips and tricks they’ve used to provide a better description or answer questions about photographs. 

Further Information:

Sea Scouts Boat

U.S. Rubber Self Sealing Fuel Tank Liner

Indiana University Nurses having Tea

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Trigger Warning: Death, War, Gun Violence.
This week Casey and Regan look at Hoosiers’ experiences with war abroad. First, Casey takes you behind the Iron Curtain, in Cold War Russia, with the story of an US Diplomat from Indiana. Then through their letters home, Regan shares the stories of three young Hoosiers who gave their lives for their country in the Korean War.
Tales of a Wandering Diplomat: A Hoosier Behind the Iron Curtain
"It's Hard to Write with Mittens On": Hoosier Letters from the Korean War

Further Information:

Examples of Korean War Letters
Military Car and Landscape
Korean War Scene
Three Soldiers

Cold War Collections Items

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Casey and Regan are running away with the circus in this episode of Unbound. First, Casey looks at how the Women's Franchise League of Indiana utilized a circus and their elephants in their fight to gain the right to vote. Then Regan tells us the story of Buckskin Ben Stalker, an Indiana man who traveled the country with the "Biggest Little Wild West Show on Earth".

Balloons, Elephants and Lawyers, OH MY!
The Biggest Little Wild West Show on Earth: Buckskin Ben Stalker and Family

Further Information:
Pinto the Elephant
Circus returning to Peru
Buckskin Ben Show

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Join Casey and Regan on a journey through some Indiana architecture. First Regan explores the life of architect and visionary Avriel Shull. Then Casey looks into the story of our very own building, Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center.


Live Furiously: The Design Life of Avriel Shull 
A Living Room for Indiana: The New Indiana Historical Society Headquarters

Further Information:
Avriel Shull Finding Aid

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Have you read a book written by a ghost, attended a seance (or wanted to), had your palm read? Join Regan, Amy, and Director of Collections Management, Maire Gurevitz, as they discuss some rabbit holes they’ve encountered related to Spiritualism in the IHS collections.

Further Information:

Psychopathy, or, Spiritual Healing
Valentine Nicholson Collection
Valentine and Elizabeth Nicholson
Valentine Nicholson, Spirit Photography

Nellie Meier with her cat
Actor Leslie Howard Having His Palm Read by Nellie Meier
 

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This week on Unbound, Casey and Regan are going off the beaten path with this week’s episode. First, Regan explores the history of Indiana’s first brewers in New Harmony, IN. Casey will then tell you about the rise and fall of the Auburn Rubber Company whose toy empire stretched all over the country. 

Indiana's First Brewers: The Germans at New Harmony
Toys and Treasures: The Auburn Rubber Company

Further Information:
Robert Owen
Map of New Harmony
George Rapp

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This week Casey and Regan dive into the stories of two trailblazing women from Indiana. First, Regan looks at the life of pioneer lumberwoman Helen Pike Utter who took over her father’s lumber company and grew it into an empire. Then, Casey explores the career of Valeska Suratt, an alluring vamp and self-proclaimed marginally talented performer.

Helen Pike Utter: Indiana's Pioneer Lumberwoman
Valeska Suratt: Indiana Vamp of the Stage and Screen

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