Middletown in the Good Old Summertime on Display

Middletown in the Good Old Summertime a new exhibit outside the Archives and Special Collections Research Center, Bracken Library, Rm. 210, showcases summer leisure activities in Muncie from the 1890s through the 1980s.

The exhibit includes historic photographs and other items from the Middletown and Stoeckel collections as well as selected illustrated essays from Bob Cunningham’s series of books, Growing Up in Middletown, U.S.A.
The exhibit highlights popular summertime events:

- Baseball including junior leagues for boys, adult leagues for teams sponsored by local businesses and organizations, and the champion semi-pro Muncie Citizens — kept fans in the bleachers from spring training to fall
- Summer camps sponsored by the local YMCA, YWCA, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts gave hundreds of Muncie children time around the campfire
- The circus came to town with parades through the city streets, exotic animals and sequined performers, and shows in the Big Top
- The Delaware County Fair offered everything from horse racing to 4-H exhibits

People of all ages headed for the great outdoors to bicycle, swim, picnic, relax in city parks, and attend family reunions.

Middletown in the Good Old Summertime will be on display from June 14 to August 15. For more information, contact Jane Gastineau at JEGastineau@bsu.edu or call (765) 285-5078.