2025 CSI Annual Report

2025 CSI Board Meeting and Annual Report

November 15, 2025

Hosts: Jo & Sam Ligget and Suzy Dunning

Grand Opening Celebration of
the CSI sponsored exhibit
“Unlocked Legacy” at the Vigo
County History Center created
by Suzy Dunning, Curator.

2024-2025—President’s Review

The good news is that the Canal Society of Indiana is active and engaged across the state in guarding, exploring, and interpreting our canal heritage.

This past year we reorganized the Executive Committee of CSI to pursue a higher level of state and national recognition of all our historic canals. Our Board of Directors reorganized to reflect all regions of our canal related activities. We continued to provide activities for our membership in addition to more community outreach through signage and website development.

We continued to place our CSI signs in strategic spots along canal routes. New locations this year were in Dearborn and Parke counties and in the communities of Elnora and Williamsport. We continued to request our members identify additional locations where property owners could place the CSI furnished signs.

Our education program for school children this year remained vigorous. CSI members Sam and Jo Ligget and Lowell and Margaret Griffin provided programs in Terre Haute and Huntington. To have some tangible take home material CSI printed copies of Blue Dog canal scrip that was used during canal times. These were very popular programs with young audiences.

Our adult education programs continued this year with special presentations by board members Sam Ligget, Preston Richardt and Jeff Koehler. We supported the dedication of Lock 47 at Riley with CSI members providing information about the Canal Society and the Wabash and Erie Canal. Marla Flowers and Suzy Dunning from the Terre Haute Historical Museum were also there representing our new CSI headquarters location at the junction of the Wabash and Erie Canal and the National Road. Moreover, the Vigo County Historical Museum has committed to a new exhibit on the Wabash and Erie Canal. The exhibition will open soon for visitors.

We conducted symposiums at the Terre Haute Museum in the Spring but had to cancel the one at the Learning Center in Williamsport this Fall. Terre Haute’s was well attended, bringing in our members and local residents to learn more about Indiana canals. Moreover, the high-quality presentations at these symposiums make these events distinctive.

In October, Ron Morris and Bob Schmidt made a presentation at the Indiana Historic Preservation Conference held in Fort Wayne. This was a great opportunity to reach a wider audience at the state level for our group. Furthermore, it provided visibility for canals with preservationists who may not understand the importance of the internal improvements during the pioneer period.

Ron Morris had two of his earlier articles from The Tumble reprinted in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Association’s publication in September 2025 and December 2025. Information about the Canal Society of Indiana was included with his reprinted articles. Future articles in this series will describe the C & O Canal from Harper’s Ferry to Washington, D.C.

In June, the Canal Society of Indiana learned of the State Museum’s plan to close the Whitewater Canal Historic Site. This announcement was quickly followed by the news that a Lilly Endowment grant had been received, and the site remained in operation. All this activity generated national attention by the American Canal Society. They gave the Whitewater crisis wide coverage in the September issue of their publication, American Canals. Currently the Canal Society of Indiana is participating with local Whitewater groups to determine the next steps for the evolving changes at the site. This year the Canal Society of Indiana is planning a fund-raising effort to provide for future needs at the site including signage, literature, and interpretation.

Carolyn Schmidt and Preston Richardt continue to provide our membership with timely information through The Tumble and our CSI website at indcanal.org. It is extremely important that our members continue to provide reports and information to them so that our members are kept up to date on all canal issues.

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your life this year. We look forward to more canal adventures in the next year.

Dr. Ron Morris

Major CSI Events/Actions

Assisted students, authors and genealogists in canal research
Board meeting: November 15, 2025 in Terre Haute
On-line: Canal Society of Indiana website: indcanal.org, Canal Society of Indiana Facebook page

Board of Directors

County Historians

These historians receive and answer numerous phone, E-mail and posted messages from persons seeking information that may involve canal business or those who built Indiana’s canals.

Memoriam

New Members

Bauer, David & Heather,
Christianson, Brenda	Terre Haute
Herrli, Tod	Marion
Meek, Tom	Ft. Wayne
Reed Dick	Terre Haute
Smith, Johnny & Mackenzie	Worthington
Williams, Ruth	Noblesville
Wilson, Joe & Lisa	Terre Haute
Yates, Marcia Laswell	Winslow, IN

Speakers Bureau

Date	Event	Presenter(s)	#People
Mar. 29, 2025	Summit Canals Symposium Terre Haute	Suzy Dunning, Jeff Koehler, Sam Ligget, Bob Schmidt	37
Apr. 4, 2025	Elletsville 2nd graders/teachers/parents	Jo Ligget, Sam Ligget	280
Spring 3 days a week/8 weeks	Forks of the Wabash	Margaret Griffin, Lowell Griffin	2,000
Jun. 18, 2025	Terre Haute Kiwanis Club	Sam Ligget	20
Jun. 21, 2025	Pike County Historical Society	Preston Richardt	23
Aug. 12, 2025	Worthington Jefferson Township Library	Jeff Koehler	37
Sep. 20, 2025	Rotary International/Vigo Co. Hist. Center	Sam Ligget	24
Sep. 23-26, 2025	Terre Haute “Mini-Pioneer Days”4th grade	Jo Ligget, Sam Ligget	1,000
Oct. 1, 2025	Indiana Landmarks Preservation Conference	Ron Morris, Bob Schmidt	57
Oct. 4-5, 2025	Terre Haute “Pioneer Days” for families	Jo Ligget, Sam Ligget
Fall 4 days a week/8 weeks	Forks of the Wabash	Margaret Griffin, Lowell Griffin	3,741 children, 197 teachers, 832 parents

Archive Acquisitions

Jerett Godeke – Railroad map showing the W & E Canal and structures through Ft Wayne

2025 CSI Director’s Activities

Allen County Historian; Wrote 7 articles for “The Tumble”; Worked with signage for Logansport aqueduct that was vandalized

Vigo County Historian, Attended: November 16th CSI board meeting and was host; March 20th “Summit Canals” symposium, host and speaker; visited Delphi Canal Park to take videos; prepared lock exhibit “Unlocked Legacy” for CSI at museum; September 6, 2025 attended Lock 47 Park opening; October 25, 2025 opening of “Unlocked Legacy” at Vigo Co. His. Center: gave tours for 3 week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for 1,000 students in November 2025; attended CSI board meeting November 15th 2025 and was a host; held grand opening for “Unlocked Legacy”.

Attended: August 17th “Towpath to Warpath” tour, planned and spoke about the Reservoir War in Paulding Co.; Helped plan and locate new W & E Canal Lock signs in Paulding Co.; Donated Norfolk and Southern railroad 40-ft. long map showing locks and W & E prism from basin in Ft. Wayne to New Haven.

CSI Recording Secretary, Attended: November 16th 2024 CSI board meeting, and took minutes for Annual meeting and election of Directors/Officers; March 29th “Summit Canals” symposium; Wrote articles for “The Tumble”; Gave canal programs at Forks of the Wabash in May; Conducted “Blue Dog” Experiment; Gave canal programs at Forks of the Wabash for 8 weeks, 4 days a week in September & October, total for the year: 3,471 children, 197 teachers, 832 parents, attended CSI board meeting November 15th 2025 and took minutes.

Attended: October 2, 2024 spoke at “Celebration of Franklin Co. Canal Signage” program; February; 26th Whitewater Scenic Byways annual meeting; June 30th meeting at Third Place in Metamora to learn more about keeping the Historic Site open.

Clay County Historian, Attended: November 16th, 2024 board meeting; created a huge map of the Clay and Vigo area showing the W & E Canal and donated it to the Vigo County Historical Museum and to CSI, made a plastic model of a canal boat and donated it to CSI and made a foot stool from canal timbers and donated it to the Historical Museum; March 29, 2025 “Summit Canal” symposium and was a speaker; July 17,2025 met with Kurt Garner about National Register potential; August 12th spoke about the W & E Canal at the Worthington Jefferson Township Library to an audience of 37; September 6, 2025 attended Lock 47 Park opening, attended CSI board meeting November 15th, 2025; is arranging symposium at Worthington.

Attended: November 16th, 2024 board meeting; March 29th, 2025 “Summit Canals” symposium; Submitted old W & E documents for “The Tumble,” attended CSI board meeting November 15th, 2025.

CSI Financial Secretary; Picked up CSI mail, recorded it and sent information to CSI treasurer; Took pictures for “The Tumble”; Attended: September 24-26 2004 Mini-Pioneer Days and presented program about W & E Canal and canal timbers to about 942 students, teachers, and parents; October 5-6, 2024 Pioneer Days and presented W & E programs with displays for the public; November 16th, 2024 board meeting and was a host; March 29th, 2025 “Summit Canals” symposium and was a host; April 4th spoke about W & E Canal to 200 second graders from Ellettsville; June 21st “Pike Co.’s First Interstate” program; July 17,2025 met with Kurt Garner about National Register potential; September 6 2025 set up exhibit and attended Lock 47 Park opening; September 23 -26 Mini-Pioneer Days and presented programs about W & E Canal and canal timbers to about 1075 students, teachers, and parents; October 3-5 Pioneer Days and presented W & E programs with displays for the public; attended CSI board meeting November 15th, 2025 and was a host; got paper pads, pens and info about Vigo county for board bags; picked up box lunches for meeting

Attended: September 24-26 2004 Mini-Pioneer Days and presented program about W & E Canal and canal timbers to about 942 students, teachers, and parents; October 5-6, 2024 Pioneer Days and presented W & E programs with displays for the public; November 16th, 2024 board meeting and was a host; March 29th, 2025 “Summit Canals” symposium and was a speaker and a host; April 4th spoke about W & E Canal to 200 second graders from Ellettsville; June 19th spoke about W & E Canal to the Terre Haute Kiwanis Club; June 21st “Pike Co.’s First Interstate” program; September 6, 2025 set up exhibit and attended Lock 47 Park opening; September 23-26 Mini-Pioneer Days and presented programs about W & E Canal and canal timbers to about 1075 students, teachers, and parents; October 4-5 Pioneer Days and presented W & E programs with displays for the public; attended CSI board meeting November 15th, 2025 and was host

CSI President, Wrote articles for “The Tumble” 2 (2 were later printed in the C & O Journal), Attended: October 2, 2024 “Celebration of Franklin Co. Canal Signage” program, planned the event and was Master of Ceremonies; November 16, 2024 CSI board meeting; February; 26, 2025 Whitewater Canal Scenic Byways annual meeting; June 30th meeting at Third Place in Metamora to learn more about keeping the Historic Site open, placed on the temporary board of directors under temporary President Amanda Arcidiacono of Historic Landmarks to develop strategic plan for Whitewater Valley; Coordinated with Dearborn County for signage placement; September 6, 2025 attended Lock 47 park opening; October 1, 2025 presenter at Cornelius O’Brian preservation conference in Ft. Wayne; December 2025 had his article about the C & O Canal published by the C & O Association; attended and led CSI board meeting November 15th, 2025;

President Canal Society of Ohio and Editor of their newsletter, Secretary of Whitewater Canal Trails, Board member of American Canals, Attended; November 16, 2024 CSI board meeting; April 26, 2025 Canal Society of Ohio Symposium at Piqua; CSI board meeting November 15th, 2025; reported on Whitewater Canal trails

CSI Web-Master, Wrote articles for “The Tumble,” Drew diagrams for “The Tumble,” Attended: June 21st presented “Pike County’s First Interstate” at Petersburg and put the information in “The Tumble,” March 29th “Summit Canals” symposium and brought aqueduct model

CSI Treasurer; Wrote 8 articles for “The Tumble”; Took photos for “The Tumble”; Attended: October 2, 2024 “Celebration of Franklin Co. Signage” program and was a speaker; November 16, 2024 CSI board meeting; February 26, 2025 Whitewater Canal Scenic Byways annual meeting; March 29th “Summit Canals” symposium planner and speaker; April 26th Canal Society of Ohio Symposium at Piqua; June 8-13 Visited the Illinois & Michigan Canal and Illinois Waterway; June 21st “Pike Co.’s First Interstate” program; June 30th meeting at Third Place in Metamora to learn more about keeping the Historic Site open; July 5th “Canal Days” in Delphi; July 17,2025 met with Kurt Garner about National Register potential; Worked with Terri Wargo county historian for Warren County on Williamsport Side-Cut signage; October 1, 2025 presenter at Cornelius O’Brian preservation conference in Ft. Wayne; attended November 15th CSI board meeting

CSI Tumble Coordinator; Wrote 9 articles for “The Tumble”; Wrote 3obituaries; Wrote CSI board booklets 2024 & 2025; Attended: October 2, 2024 “Celebration of Franklin Co. Signage” program; November 16, 2024 CSI board meeting; February 26, 2025 Whitewater Canal Scenic Byways annual meeting; March 29th “Summit Canals” symposium; April 26th Canal Society of Ohio Symposium at Piqua; June 8-13 Visited the Illinois & Michigan Canal and Illinois Waterway; June 21st “Pike Co.’s First Interstate” program; June 30th meeting at Third Place in Metamora to learn more about keeping the Historic Site open; July 5th “Canal Days” in Delphi; attended November 15th CSI board meeting; donated frog centerpieces that were given to those present at the meeting;

Sent in pictures from Facebook

Executive Director Wabash & Erie Canal, Inc.; Wrote articles for “Currents” Delphi’s news and journal many of which were carried in “The Tumble”; Created a loop video about the W & E Canal in Lafayette, presented it in Lafayette, and it was shown during “Canal Days” in Delphi; agreed to become CSI board member; led tour in Delphi’s Canal Park for 1,400 students; helped with video for the “Unlocked Legacy” exhibit in Terre Haute; attended CSI board meeting November 15th, 2025

Worked with the Roanoke Historical Museum; Displayed canal and interurban material at the museum; won an award for his contribution to history, etc.

Attended: October 2, 2024 “Celebration of Franklin Co. Signage” program and was a speaker; November 16th, 2024 CSI board meeting; February 26, 2025 Whitewater Canal Scenic Byways annual meeting and planner; June 30th meeting at Third Place in Metamora to learn more about keeping the Historic Site open, Metamora contact to State Museum, Worked on Metamoa “Canal Days”