Little-Known Treasures from Lewis Historical Library...

From the Vault...

By Jill Larson, Archivist

Did you know that our secured archival treasure chest contains amazing pieces of history that will simply astound you? It is difficult to pick the most interesting archives to share with you, so I will let readers judge for themselves!

First of all, there is an 1804 book entitled Volney’s View of the United States with a detailed map on the inside cover. (Most interestingly, Abraham Lincoln’s signature is located on the top of the map!) C.F. Volney’s book is a view of the soil and climate of the United States of America accompanied by various maps and plates.

Another unique book is The Life of Bonaparte, Emperor of the French: From His Birth Until His Departure to the Island of St. Helena, c. 1818. This is definitely for the intellectual, historically-minded reader, but what a challenge!

If you can read French, there is an old French Grammar book donated by the late Mrs. Rose Schultheis of Vincennes, who was a great friend and supporter of Lewis Library. Additionally, the famous Badollet Papers, much of them written in French, are also located within our treasure chest. John Badollet, a Swiss immigrant, came to the United States in 1780. President Thomas Jefferson appointed him Land Registrar of Vincennes in 1804. He served as a delegate to the Indiana Constitutional Convention. In 1816, he was a charter member of the VU Board of Trustees and founder of the Vincennes Library Company. The Badollet family was prominent in early Vincennes history and contributed so much to this area. Interesting correspondence and documents are in this vast collection.

To help you with your reading and vocabulary, we have available a very old, leather-bound English Dictionary which once belonged to one Truman Gibbs. It was given to him by his father in 1791! The dictionary was later given to Byron R. Lewis, founder of our library, who subsequently donated it to Lewis Library.



Finally, we must not forget to honor, George Rogers Clark, who saved us from the British! Just think, if not for Clark we could all still be under British rule and would have to speak proper English like the Brits! Our last treasure today centers on a first impression of the 1929 George Rogers Clark postage stamp made from the master dies. This document contains the signature of Harry S. New, Postmaster General who presented this to the Vincennes Historical Society on February 25, 1929.

I hope this assorted collection of treasures will awaken your interest in history and prod you to come investigate Lewis Historical Library. We would enjoy your company.