Sophia Travis, Monroe County Council candidate, recently donated an album of pictures and text mementos to the Smithville Area Association Museum, located in Redman Hall.  Travis, who owns the historic George Percy Ketcham home, built in 1850 in Clear Creek township, put together the scrapbook both from historic photos and documents passed down to her by prior owners as well as from contemporary photos depicting recent restoration efforts at the home.

“My husband and I have always had a deep and abiding appreciation for historic preservation and the desire to bring forward from the past for the future was the driving force behind our purchase of the Ketcham home six years ago” said Travis.  Rosemary Wisely, treasurer of the Smithville Area Association, accepted the donation to the museum she also helps to curate. 

Travis, who has long done work for Indiana University’s historic Wylie House museum, said she was “thrilled” to be able to donate the scrapbook on the same day that the Smithville class of 1958 was holding its reunion next door.  Members of the class included Mike and Marilyn Ketcham, members of one of Monroe County’s oldest families.  Colonel John Ketcham, a founder of Monroe County and the builder of its first courthouse, passed away in the George Percy Ketcham home.

“History is what gives our places value, “ said Travis, “you cannot understand either the present or the future if you do not understand the past.  That’s why it’s so critically important that we celebrate, preserve, and honor this great county’s history as told by its oldest structures.”

Noting the extent and passion with which the Smithville Area Association has built and maintained its museum, Travis continued: “I am an advocate of township governance because I’ve seen, firsthand, just how good a job that the township system does of preserving place and of preserving community.  It’s great to be able to be involved, at the grass-roots township level here in Clear Creek, with people who obviously care so much about the things that a true community is comprised of:  beyond the essential post office and fire station, exists an area association’s museum that honors preservation and provides space for fellowship in a town hall, the restored Redman Hall, by a lovingly maintained main avenue and park…our township has genuine neighborhoods.”

Travis and her husband, Gregory, were recently interviewed about their home and their passion for historic preservation on WGCL’s “House to Home” program.  A recording of their interview can be downloaded from Travis’ campaign website, www.sophiaforcouncil.com.