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Honoring our ancestors.

Spam and phishing emails

We’ve had several reports from members that they’ve received “phishing” emails that seem to be from The Society of Indiana Pioneers. The emails ask you to click on a link to download documents. These emails are not from the Society!

It’s always a good idea to verify the sender of any unexpected email. You can click on the sender’s name to see their email address; if it seems suspicious, delete the email or send it to your spam folder.

Welcome!

Eric KochWelcome to The Society of Indiana Pioneers! As president of the society, I welcome anyone who has an interest in the pioneer period in Indiana to join us and encourage anyone who has an eligible pioneer ancestor to become a member by submitting an application. Since our founding in 1916, we have recognized over 10,000 ancestors and I would invite you to honor your Indiana Pioneer ancestors as well.

Your membership helps support our history education mission, which includes grants for school field trips, graduate fellowship programs and the John H. Holliday Award for junior history efforts. Each year the Society sponsors Pilgrimages to historic sites, Intergenerational Day, our virtual “Sip with SIP” events, and our annual meeting and luncheon.

As a member, you will receive the Pioneer Times newsletter and the annual Yearbook, which contains articles, information concerning our pioneer ancestors, and a listing of our current members. Our meetings provide the opportunity to meet other descendants of Indiana’s pioneers. Please join us!

Eric A. Koch
President

What’s new?

Nov 05
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Simple round cake just out of the oven

Pioneer cake from 1836 is simple – and tasty!

By Article, Home Page No Comments

by Terri Lehman

This recipe was in an 1836 cookbook. The cake is called the “1836 cake” or “Cake by Numbers.” It is easy to make; I updated it for a modern kitchen. It is a dense cake and very sweet.

  • 4 eggs
  • 3 cups of flour
  • 2 cups of sugar
  • 1 cup of butter (salted)

Mix all the ingredients together by hand. Place in an 8-inch round cake pan. Place in a 350-degree pre-heated oven on the middle rack. Bake for about 45 minutes. Check to make sure the center is done. It is a dense cake and will not rise.

Simple cake batter in a round pan, about to go into the oven
1836 cake batter about to go into the oven (Photo: Terri Lehman)

After cooling, I dusted the top with powdered sugar before serving. A simple and delicious bit of history!

Simple round cake baked, cut, and sampled
1836 cake after baking and cutting (and sampling!) (Photo: Terri Lehman)

Upcoming

Friday, October 2, 2026
Hoosier Heritage Fall Pilgrimage
“The new Indiana Archives Building”

Contact us

140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis IN 46204
(317) 441-8293
office@indianapioneers.org

The Society office is staffed part-time. Please call or email to check current hours.

Staff

Office Manager
Sally Fadely, Indianapolis

Genealogist
Terry Engel, Martinsville