From Farm Fields to Arboretum: A History of Bryan Park [In-Person or Zoom]

This fascinating journey through local history uncovers the remarkable history of the sloping landscape southeast of historic Bloomington, the many neighborhoods and subdivisions of property, and the municipal recreation area which is now Bryan Park Arboretum. Beginning in 1816, we will explore Bloomington's past through the entrepreneurial Orchard brothers, trace the families through next generations, and follow the transformation of farms into neighborhoods and residential developments. Along the way, we'll investigate local mysteries, ponder a depression era hobo kitchen, witness the excitement of a 1926 fox hunt encampment, and be amazed by the politics of elephants and circus tents. For a chaser, we will follow the transition from IU Isolation Hospital (aka Pest House) to Trailer Court to elementary schools at Hillside and Henderson. A deep dive into the politics of 1940-1965 Bloomington will cover how the park land was acquired and the park amenities developed.

NOTE: This class will be held at the Ivy Tech Bloomington Main Campus in a Learn Anywhere classroom space that also accommodates Zoom participants. All students will have the opportunity to attend either in-person or virtually via Zoom. Information for participating via Zoom will be sent no later than 2 days before the class start.