FOOTPRINTS at the FORKS Newsletter

Early glimpse of future events at the Forks

• Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration - July 4, 2026

• Annual Rummage Sale - July 17 & 18 (Richardville Room), 2026

• Splash on the Wabash - July 18, 2026

• Historic Forks of the Wabash Annual Dinner - November 4, 2026

• Christmas at the Forks - December 12 & 13, 2026

All of the above listed events will take place at the Historic Forks of the Wabash, located at 3011 W Park Drive, Huntington, Indiana. *Watch for more details on these events in future newsletters.

Historic Forks Announces Board Member Transitions

Historic Forks of the Wabash is pleased to announce recent changes to its Board of Directors: welcoming a new member, celebrating returning leadership, and expressing gratitude to those completing their service.

Joining the board as a new member is Ashley LaFranco, who brings enthusiasm and a shared passion for preserving the rich history of the Forks of the Wabash. Ashley is Branch Manager at First Farmers Bank and Trust based in Huntington and has a strong background in financial services, organization, and relationship building as well as a genuine passion for community involvement and service. Ashley commented, “I am honored to serve and look forward to working alongside fellow board members, volunteers, and community partners to support the organization’s work.”

The Board is also happy to welcome back Dale Hawkins, Jim Scheiber, and Dave Hacker as returning members of the Board of Directors. This trio of men have previously served the Historic Forks of the Wabash and offer valuable experience, institutional knowledge, and continued dedication to the organization’s mission.

Serving in leadership roles for the current term are Liz Sanders, President; Dale Hawkins, Vice President; and Jay Lahr, Treasurer. A secretary has not yet been named.

At the same time, Historic Forks of the Wabash extends its sincere appreciation to Donna Hollopeter, Ashley Herzog, and Sam PeGan, who are stepping down from the board. Their time, leadership, and commitment have made a meaningful impact on the organization, and their service is deeply appreciated.

Historic Forks of the Wabash is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and interpreting the historic Forks of the Wabash in Huntington, Indiana. The organization thanks all past and present board members for their ongoing support and commitment to preserving this important historic site.

New Intern at the Forks 

Welcome to Abbi Ensinger! 

Abbi is our new Intern and will be doing different tasks for us here at the Forks! Abbi attends Huntington University and is majoring in History and enjoys research and design.

Be sure to say hello when you see her and make her feel welcome!

Trading Post Up-date

Jim Hollar, Board Member & Grant Writer

Please consider giving a donation to the Historic Forks of the Wabash. Your support makes our continued success possible. Send your check to PO Box 261, Huntington, IN 46750, or see our website for options to make a credit card donation. For more information on how you can support the Historic Forks, contact Beth at [email protected].

Volunteer Recognition

Happy Birthday to our Volunteers!

 March: Nancy Beaver, Janice McElhaney

 April: Linda Hall, Jadean Barnes

 May: Jim Stricker, Janet Cox, Victoria Thompson

 June: Claudia Thompson, Marlene Johnson, Janet Husband, Kathy Hollowell, Loretta Wintrode

Volunteer Spotlight

For the past ten years, Terry Rodgers has been a dedicated volunteer at Historic Forks of the Wabash. His involvement began simply by being asked, and it quickly grew into a long-term commitment to supporting the Forks in a variety of ways.

During school tours, Terry serves as both a tour guide and a dig site interpreter. A typical tour includes six to seven stops, where he helps students understand the history of the Forks and the importance of archaeology. He also volunteers in the Historic Forks gift shop.

Terry says the best part of volunteering is seeing children’s reactions when they learn about the history around them. One of his favorite moments is hearing students share how much they enjoyed their visit.

After a decade of service, Terry’s enthusiasm and willingness to help wherever needed continue to make a lasting impact at the Forks.

Historic Forks Education Program 

Beth Stricker, Tours & Events Coordinator

With the arrival of spring, Historic Forks of the Wabash is once again preparing to welcome students back to the site. Beginning in April and continuing through May, school tours will be in full swing as classes from across the region visit to experience local history firsthand.

These spring tours give students the opportunity to step outside the classroom and into the place where Indiana history truly began. Through guided experiences and interactive learning, students gain a deeper understanding of the people, cultures, and events that shaped our area.

We are excited to see the grounds come alive again with curious minds, great questions, and the energy that only spring — and school groups — can bring.

Volunteers make these tours possible. If you enjoy working with students, sharing local history, or supporting hands-on learning, we would love to have your help this spring. Whether you are available for a few tours or throughout the season, your time makes a meaningful difference.

To learn more about volunteering with school tours, please contact Beth Stricker, Tours and Events Coordinator, at 260-356-1903 or [email protected].