Salt Creek Valley History Week is Sept. 11-17

Bloomington- Monroe Lake is partnering with Brown County State Park and the Hoosier National Forest for Salt Creek Valley History Week Monday, Sept. 11 through Sunday, Sept. 17. 

During this annual dive into the stories, families, and locations of the Salt Creek Valley pre-1960, visitors can tour historic cemeteries, learn about the history and origin of local park lands, explore the lives of former residents, and enjoy historic crafts and games. 

All programs during Salt Creek Valley History Week are offered free of charge. However, property admission fees do apply at Brown County State Park and Paynetown State Recreation Area. Please note that some of the programs require advance registration. 

For the full list of programs during Salt Creek Valley History Week, with clickable links for more information and registration where applicable, please visit the main event page at bit.ly/scv-history2023. 

The week kicks off with a virtual presentation on Facebook Live, “The Mormons Come to Salt Creek Township,” on Monday, Sept. 11 at 9:30 a.m. Details are at bit.ly/fblive-sep2023. 

On Tuesday, Sept. 12, there will be a tour of the Silas Chandler Cemetery in the Hoosier National Forest at 10 a.m. Space for this tour is limited to 15 people and registration is required by noon on Sept. 9. Details are at bit.ly/scv2023-silas.  


Two programs take place on Wednesday, Sept. 13.  

  • The Chandler #1 Cemetery Hike at Paynetown SRA is at 10 a.m., with space limited to 15 people and registration required by Sept. 11 at bit.ly/scv2023-chandler.  
  • A presentation on the History of the Deam Wilderness takes place at 1 p.m. at the historic Brooks Cabin, with space limited to 20 people; registration is required by noon on Sept. 12 at bit.ly/scv2023-deam. 


No registration is required for either of the programs at Brown County State Park on Thursday, Sept. 14.  


The programs on Friday, Sept. 15 are also open to everyone, no registration is required.  

  • Paynetown SRA will offer a “Lost” Cemetery Walk at Paynetown SRA at 10 a.m., details at bit.ly/scv2023-hughes, as well as a drop-by session on natural dyes at the campground playground from 6 to 7:30 p.m.  
  • Brown County State Park will also offer a Kelp Village Hike at 1 p.m., details at bit.ly/scv2023-kelp. 

Saturday, Sept. 16 has one program that requires advance registration, the Friendship Baptist Church Hike at 2:30 p.m. Space for this hike is limited to 15 people and registration is required by Sep. 14. Details and registration are at bit.ly/scv2023-friendship. 


Three other programs take place on Saturday that are open to all without registration.  

  • There will be a Salt Creek Bridges Walk at Brown County State Park at 11 a.m., details at bit.ly/scv2023-bridges.  
  • Paynetown SRA will give guests the opportunity to make a “buzz saw” traditional toy and play some 1800s era games from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Both of these programs will be at the campground playground. 


The event wraps up on Sunday, Sept. 17 with two final activities.  

  • Guests can stop by the campground playground at Paynetown SRA from 10 to 11:30 a.m. to make a cornhusk bracelet. 
  • The Hoosier National Forest will also present “The Lands that Nobody Wanted” at 2 p.m. at the Southwest Branch of the Monroe County Public Library. Registration for this program is requested by noon on Sept. 15 at bit.ly/scv2023-lands. 


The entrance fee at both Brown County State Park and Paynetown SRA is $7 per vehicle with an Indiana license plate and $9 per vehicle with out-of-state plates. Indiana State Park Annual Entrance Permits are also accepted at both locations. 

Questions should be directed to the Paynetown Activity Center at 812-837-9967 or email Jill Vance at [email protected].  

To view more DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.