Barr sisters’ book project earns DAR preservation award

Friday, April 3, 2020
Winners of the 2019 Washburn Chapter DAR Award for historic preservation are Anita McAnulty (right) and Mary Ruth Jones, who spearheaded a family project to chronicle the columns written by their father, David Barr, and assemble them into a two-volume set.
Banner Graphic/Jared Jernagan

Continuing its mission to salute Putnam County people who have helped preserve our past and in so enhance the future, the Washburn Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution recently presented its 11th annual award.

For the 2019 award, one item “came immediately to the top,” DAR official Jinsie Bingham said in reference to the compilation of the columns of longtime local newspaperman David Barr by his daughters, Anita McAnulty of Cloverdale and Mary Ruth Jones of Terre Haute.

“David Barr chronicled life in Putnam County as no other person ever has,” Bingham praised. “The compilations of David’s writings reacquaint us with the people who made Putnam County grow and prosper.”

Over the years, the DAR has recognized all kinds of historic preservation efforts.

Author John Baughman was honored for his essays about local people and events, while Larry Tippin was cited for his cemetery restoration efforts and James Cooper was honored as a bridge expert.

Malcolm Romine was singled out for his tales of old-time community life in Putnam County. John and Carolyn Carson were cited for their organization and presentation of Greencastle High School memorabilia. Kim and Tim Shinn were honored for restoring the Dr. Zaring House at Vine and Poplar streets.

The DAR recognized the City of Greencastle and DePauw University for their cooperation on the Stellar Community Grant, while Susan and Lee Stewart were honored for restoration efforts along the old National Road in Putnamville.

In 2017, the DAR recognized Phil Gick for work in getting Forest Hill Cemetery listed on the National Register of Historic Places so that grant money could be secured to repair and refurbish the Union soldier Civil War Monument at Forest Hill. In 2018, Jon Rice was recognized for his efforts with Find-a-Grave, not only in Putnam County but places beyond.

Barr, a native of Vermillion County like fellow scribes Ernie Pyle and Pat Aikman, came to Greencastle as a Rector Scholar at DePauw, and left a treasure trove of local information gleaned from columns he wrote for the Putnam County Graphic, Greencastle Daily Banner and the Banner Graphic.

“Barr’s daughters and family members saw the need to preserve his writings and have produced a community treasure,” Bingham praised. “It took four years and probably as many tears to collect, copy and collate the stories of Putnam County folks.”

The Barr books, a two-volume set, are on sale at the Putnam County Museum and also available to Putnam County Public Library patrons.

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