Carrington family recognized in latest 'Founding Families' exhibit at museum

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

A new exhibit honoring one of Putnam County's most enduring families, the Carringtons, opened Saturday, April 14 at the Putnam County Museum with a special reception at 10:30 a.m.

Malcolm Romine, one of the family's current descendants, will speak on the family's history at the opening reception.

"There are some fascinating aspects to our family's genealogy and history in Putnam County," Romine said. "I think even people in the family will be surprised at what they hear."

The Carrington exhibit is just the latest in a series of Founding Families exhibits honoring the county's leading and longstanding families. Other families that have been featured include the Brattains, the Hurts, and most recently, the Clodfelter family.

Thomas Carrington and his family came to Putnam County in 1835. He settled just south of Russellville, in a home where Carrington descendants continue to live to this day.

The exhibit features historic photographs and family items loaned to the museum.

Among the historic artifacts are a 20 gauge, muzzle-loading shotgun and a yarn winder, both believed to have belonged to Thomas Carrington; an Afghan made by Cora Carrington that won first prize at the Indiana State Fair; a wooden butter churn donated by Ruth Fulwider; and Alexander Carrington's cob basket, used to store corn cobs at the homestead's outhouse.

A family tree developed by Carol Sweeney shows nearly two centuries of Carrington relatives, ranging from Thomas Carrington in the early 1800s to present-day descendants.

The Putnam County Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 1-4 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The museum is located at 1105 N. Jackson St., Greencastle, in the former Kroger building.

For more information on the museum or the Founding Families exhibit, persons may contact Tanis Monday at 653-8419 or tanis@putnamcountymuseum.org

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