Squirrel Butter

The Historic Eleutherian College on West St. Road 250 in Lancaster is hosting a variety
of musical programs this summer in honor of the 250th anniversary of US
Independence. The Sunday afternoon events kick off June 28th with a favorite area
band, West of Dublin. Members John Collins, Jeff Vaughn, Connie Welch, Tony
Schroeder, and Eric Jarboe specialize in Irish music, bluegrass and old-time
Appalachian tunes from the heart of America.

Sunday, July 19th Rev. Leggett from Madison’s Broadway Baptist Church will present
“Harmony of Faith: Celebrating the Legacy of Gospel Music and the American Spirit.”
Anyone who has heard Rev. Leggett sing at Juneteenth events or MLK services will
appreciate hearing him in the acoustic surroundings of the Eleutherian auditorium.

On August 2nd, The Indiana Historical Society is presenting Visions Jazz Ensemble
and their program, “Of the People.” Visions Jazz Ensemble is a group of accomplished
young musicians, all graduates of Indiana University. They will perform jazz
interpretations of 12 well-known songs that embody American identity and experience.
The decision to present these works as jazz arrangements reflects jazz’s status as a
uniquely American musical art form and acknowledges Indiana’s significant role in its
development and preservation. Through “Of the People”, the Indiana Historical Society
seeks to engage communities statewide in a meaningful cultural experience that honors
America’s past while celebrating its enduring creativity and diversity. The Historic
Eleutherian College is thrilled to have been selected to host this event.

Sunday, August 22, Fiddlin’ Ben Thompson who entertained visitors last summer during
the Ohio Valley Symposium at Eleutherian College, returns with Squirrel Butter,
the married duo of Charlie Beck & Charmaine Slaven, who started performing together
after meeting at a west coast music festival in 2005. Sharing a deep love of traditional
music, they explore the genres of old-time, bluegrass, blues, country, & cajun while
adding their unique perspective to these traditions and threading these influences into
their original compositions. Multi-instrumentalists, they collectively play banjo, guitar,
fiddle, step-dance, and sing in harmony. Charmaine will be calling traditional
community dances at the college so come ready to dance! No experience necessary.

The final Sunday event, September 20th, features The Herschberger Family, who will
be singing a variety of gospel and folk music, contemporary and traditional. This
musical family sings harmony and plays a variety of instruments to accent their voices.
You may have heard them at the Open Mic Nights at the Drake or at the St. Cecilia
festival at Christ Episcopal Church in Madison.

All of the summer programs are from 3 to 5 p.m. The building will be open for tours
from 1 to 3. There is no admission charge, but donations for the college renovations
are welcome. The Historic Eleutherian College is a non-profit organization with a
volunteer board of directors. The college, which was started in 1848 by the Neil’s
Creek Anti-Slavery Society, has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the
National Park Service. The building served as the Lancaster Township school from
1888 to 1938.