Join us for a holiday-themed progressive luncheon at history-related sites in Indianapolis on Thursday, December 5. Pioneers will begin this tour with a holiday toast and travel by motorcoach between the sites as we savor the holidays and Hoosier history. Speakers Dr. Jim Fadely, Doris Anne Sadler, and Nelson Price will share insights and updates about the histories of the sites.

• Aboard the motorcoach, author, and historian Nelson Price will share holiday traditions in Indianapolis, including the festive lighting of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, the cherub atop the Ayres clock, and the historic connection between President Benjamin Harrison and holiday decorations at the White House.
• At the Woodstock Club, founded in 1915 on the site of the first country club in Indianapolis, we will enjoy a luncheon entrée in the elegant clubhouse. It was designed in 1923 by architect Frederick Wallace in the Italian style and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Beginning early in its history, Woodstock became a nationally recognized tennis center; its predecessor on the site had introduced golf to Indianapolis in the 1890s. Speakers at the luncheon will include historian Jim Fadely, a past Pioneers president, and Doris Anne Sadler, an expert on Booth Tarkington.
• En route to the Indiana History Center, Nelson Price will share insights about the long-awaited, $120 million Indiana State Archives building under construction across the Central Canal from the history center. The State Archives will become the home of our Indiana Constitution and a trove of other historic documents.
• We will visit the Festival of Trees at the History Center, home of the Indiana Historical Society, which becomes a wonderland with more than 40 elaborately decorated trees sponsored by an array of organizations and companies such as the Indianapolis Zoo, Butler University, the Scottish Society of Indianapolis, the Salvation Army and Marion University.
• At the Booth Tarkington Home, enjoy a catered reception with drinks, a coffee bar, and dessert at the N. Meridian Mansion of two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Booth Tarkington (1868-1946), author of such bestsellers as “The Magnificent Ambersons”. The event at the Tudor-style home will be hosted by its owners, Tim and Doris Anne Sadler. She is an Indianapolis civic leader and board president of Indiana Landmarks. The Booth Tarkington Home has been the St. Margaret’s Guild Decorator Show House twice.
• While at the Booth Tarkington House, enjoy a special performance by The Dickens Carolers. These costumed performers will entertain us with festive carols for the holiday season. They have been Indy’s premier Dickensian carolers for more than 25 years.

Depart: 11 a.m. promptly from Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis. Please arrive 15 minutes early for prompt departure. Park at lower level of parking lot, north of church.

Return: 6:50 p.m. (approx.) to Second Presbyterian Church.

The cost is $168 per person, including transportation, progressive luncheon, celebratory cocktail or non-alcoholic drink to toast the holidays, admission and gratuities to our driver. Guests are welcome, number may be limited. Minimum of 30 travelers, maximum of 51.

Pioneers’ deadline for reservations is October 1, 2024. After that, the event will be opened to the public.

Cancellation policy: A $10 cancellation fee applies for any cancellation before September 1, 2024. After that, no refund unless we have someone on the wait list to take your place. If there isn’t a wait list, you are welcome to find a replacement to fill your spot.

Complete details are available on the reservation form, available by clicking this link.