Ripley Co. Tourism Awarded Funds To Highlight Changing Landscape In Rural America

A South Ripley School Consolidation exhibit will be set up at Town Hall during the Pumpkin Show this week.

(Versailles, Ind.) – A traveling Smithsonian-curated exhibit is coming to Ripley County.

Ripley County Tourism Bureau has been awarded $1,500 by Indiana Humanities to host a local program exploring themes from the traveling Smithsonian exhibit, called “Crossroads: Change in Rural America.”

In addition to Versailles, 10 other Indiana communities received $1,500 stipends to host programs and locally curated exhibits around rural change during the time of the tour.

Versailles will host their presentation at the Town Hall Building during the Pumpkin Show September 25-28. Hours will be Wednesday-Friday 6:00-9:00 p.m. and Saturday noon to 8:00 p.m.

The exhibit will focus on South Ripley School Consolidation, exploring the one room schoolhouses in four townships to today’s one consolidated school system and the impact on the community.

“We are thrilled to provide funds to underserved areas in Indiana like  Versailles to explore the many themes of rural change that resonate with Hoosiers today, including identity, land, community, persistence and managing change,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities. “We look forward to using the themes of the tour to celebrate our rural past while sparking conversations about our future.”

Indiana Humanities also plans to partner with Southeast Indiana REMC to explore the electrification of rural America at a later date.

More from Local News


Events

Career Exploration Expo Provides Local Students with Future Job Possibilities

850 high school juniors and seniors participated in the expo.

Southeast Indiana Experiencing Moderate Drought

Dry conditions have caused burn bans to be issued in four local counties.

Team Kentucky Reminds Drivers Child Safety Seats Save Lives

Sept. 21-27 is National Child Passenger Safety Week.

Switz. Co. Off to 4-0 Start for 2nd Time in Program History; Play #1 ND Friday

See Week 4 top performers from the Mid-Indiana Football Conference.

Local Sports Report - September 17, 2025

Report missing stats and scores to news@eaglecountryonline.com

Local Sports Report - September 16, 2025

Report missing stats and scores to news@eaglecountryonline.com

Fox News Fox News National Newscast 11:00
Garth Brooks Rodeo 10:56
Jason Aldean Johnny Cash 10:53
Mark Chesnutt Goin' Thru The Big D 10:47