Commissioners Pay Tribute To Dearborn County Historian

Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 7:28 AM

Press release from Dearborn County Commissioners

Dearborn County Commissioners (left to right) Kevin Lynch, Shane McHenry, and Art Little honor county historian Chris McHenry with a declaration on March 17. Photo provided. (Dearborn County, Ind.) - At their meeting on March 17, 2015, the Dearborn County Board of Commissioners took a moment to recognize and honor Chris McHenry as she retired from her position as Dearborn County Historian. McHenry was officially named as the first Dearborn County Historian by the Indiana Historical Society and Indiana Historical Bureau 22 years ago. In her role as Historian, she served as a coordinator of historical information sources, a resource for historical research and questions, an ambassador for our county to the Indiana Historical Society and Historical Bureau, and the educational voice and subject matter expert for local history across Dearborn County. Over the 22 years, Chris was truly an Historian who was well-acquainted with and passionate about the county’s heritage. In fact, her list of accomplishments in the local history field is impressive. McHenry authored the book The Best Men of Westmoreland -- a comprehensive history of the Lochry expedition and battle -- Dearborn County's only Revolutionary War battle as well as a chapter in the research volume Finding Indiana Ancestors entitled “County Commissioner Records.” She compiled seven volumes of historic records (including a listing of Dearborn County marriages prior to the burning of the Court House in 1826), prepared a successful application to achieve National Historic Register status for the Vance-Tousey House and authored numerous newspaper and historical publication articles concerning Dearborn County history. Chris McHenry was formerly in charge of the Lawrenceburg Public Library Genealogy and Local History Department and she tirelessly documented American Revolutionary veterans and their burial sites. In 2010, Chris received the Willard C. Heiss Family History/Genealogy Award. The award is given each year to a family historian for his or her distinguished service and career in Indiana family history. She was also honored by the Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce as a “Woman of Distinction” in 2011. McHenry is a member of the Dearborn County Cemetery Commission and the Dearborn County Historical Society and is a regular presenter of historical programs at local schools. A recipient of the National Genealogical Society Award of Merit, she is a past board member of the Lawrenceburg Public Library, Lawrenceburg Community Foundation, Hillforest Historical Mansion and Indiana State Museum, and serves on the Indiana Historical Society’s Genealogy Advisory Committee. Chris McHenry has made a true mark on Dearborn County’s history. Her many years of service and countless hours of volunteer time in historic preservation and education, leave us better prepared to pass along our rich history to future generations. During the presentation, in a moment that drew sentimental laughter, Commissioners stated “One can’t help but take a step back in time and think about what the conversations between Chris McHenry and Lawrenceburg’s founder, Samuel Vance, might have been like in the early 1800’s. We’re certain they would have pondered the vast growth possibilities for trade and prosperity in Lawrenceburg, Indiana -- a town situated on the Ohio River in great position to take advantage of the early growth of railroads. No doubt, we would have been well-represented in those discussions by our local historical expert, Chris McHenry.” Rising to the podium, Chris introduced Joyce Baer (Dearborn County Public Library Genealogy and Local History department) as the incoming Dearborn County Historian. Humbled by the public recognition, Chris said “as the Commissioners think about economic development, you should know that I see many people come to Dearborn County to visit and research because of our history. There were so many people who helped and contributed over the years --- I never felt like this was work because I love what I do.” The Commissioners took a short recess and enjoyed punch, cake and cookies with citizens in attendance for the event.