A live weekly radio adventure through Indiana history with host Nelson Price. You can listen to WICR anywhere on your mobile device or at home on your smart speaker. Go to www.wicronline.org to listen live. You can also ask your smart speaker to "play WICR" OR "play 88.7 the Diamond".Check out our extensive list of searchable archived show newsletters and podcasts. Our January 14 show, "Delphi town history " Click here Our January 07 show, "Who inspired holiday decorations on Monument Circle? An influential architect " Click here |
January 21, 2023 Eugenics in Indiana-Encore
Although the 1907 law was found to be unconstitutional during the 1920s, a revised law was eventually passed. It wasn't until the 1970s that all of Indiana's mandatory sterilization laws were repealed. In this encore of a show originally broadcast in October 2021, Nelson will be joined by his guest, the distinguished Dr. Richard Gunderman, a professor of radiology, pediatrics and medical education at the Indiana University School of Medicine, for insights into the eugenics movement and how it took hold in Indiana. Also in 2021, Dr. Gunderman, who has both MD and Phd degrees, did a virtual presentation about eugenics during the Spirit and Place Festival. That presentation was arranged by the Indiana Medical History Museum.
An Indiana state history marker about the 1907 eugenics law in Indiana was erected 100 years later on the grounds of the Indiana State Library, 140 N. Senate Ave. The marker is within sight of the Indiana Statehouse, where Gov. J. Frank Hanley approved the 1907 eugenics law passed by the state legislature. Casey Pfeiffer, marker manager for the Indiana Historical Bureau, emphasizes that markers are not intended to celebrate their topics, but rather to inform and educate the public about significant events, people and places in history. According to research by IUPUI, the state law allowed the involuntary sterilization of "confirmed criminals, idiots, imbeciles and rapists". The Indiana Supreme Court ruled the 1907 law was unconstitutional for violating the due process rights of people in mental hospitals, prisons and other state institutions. A revised law was implemented in 1927 that included more safeguards for the rights of patients and prisoners.
Our guest, Dr. Gunderman, has been researching the eugenics movement. He is the author of 15 books and is a 10-time recipient of the IU Trustees Teaching Award.
|
Roadtrip: Metzler Farm and Metlzer Woods![]() Frederick Meltzer moved from Germany to Shelby County and purchased the homestead in 1857, the first in a long line of Meltzers who continued to farm the land. For their role in preserving Meltzer Farm, siblings Kris Meltzer and Karen Meltzer-Armstrong won the 2021 John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation, presented by Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Farm Bureau.
Unlike the Meltzer Farmstead, which is on private property and can only be seen from the road, Meltzer Woods is free and open to the public for hiking and exploring. It's located at 1522 South 600 East in Shelby County, and there is a free parking lot for visitors on the east side of 600 East. You can enjoy Suzanne's Roadtrip on this encore show!
Welcome to the team
Corene has a degree in Biology from Ivy Tech Community College and plans to continue her education. Originally from northwestern Ohio before moving to Indianapolis, Corene says she likes the diversity of her new hometown. She enjoys learning new things about Indiana by working with Hoosier History Live. Her hobbies include sewing, gardening, and baking, and she has an interest in video games, art, and music. "I like the fact that she's willing to try new things", says executive producer Molly Head. "As a media group, we need to be able to explore new technologies." Your contributions helps keep Hoosier History Live on the air, on the web and in your inbox! We'd like to thank the following recent individual contributors who make this show possible. For a full list of contributors over the years, visit Support the Show on our website.
Nelson Price, host and historian Richard Sullivan and Ryan DeRome, tech consultants Pam Fraizer, graphic designer
Please tell our sponsors that you appreciate their support! © 2023 Hoosier History Live. All rights reserved. | |||||||||||
|