Putnam County Museum slates 'Dancing at DePauw' program

In celebration of DePauw University's 175th anniversary, the Putnam County Museum will be hosting an informational and interactive discussion titled "Dancing at DePauw" at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 4 at the museum.

Everyone is welcome to come and learn. Student-expert Sam Spahn, from McCordsville, wrote his senior history thesis on the lifting of DePauw's ban on social dancing in the 1920s. Spahn will lead the discussion and be readily available to answer questions.

On Feb. 13, 1926, President Lemuel Murlin revolutionized DePauw's social life by lifting a long-standing ban on social dancing at the university.

That same year, President Murlin chaperoned the first-ever all-school dance. He reversed the decision the Methodist Episcopal Church established years earlier, in effect, fostering a stronger relationship between students and the administration. While most students welcomed the change, DePauw received a harsh backlash from the Methodist Church.

The Putnam County Museum is located at 1105 N. Jackson St., Greencastle, in the old Kroger building. For more information on the presentation or the DePauw exhibit, contact Tanis Monday at the museum, 653-8419, or tanis@putnam-countymuseum.org.