INDIANAPOLIS — Just in time for Indiana’s Bicentennial, the Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Historical Bureau announce the reappointment of two local county historians. Dan Coplen of Kosciusko County and Bryan McCoy of LaGrange County will each serve a three-year term.

The role of county historian is one to which each is well suited. Both act as a liaison between statewide and local organizations and answer questions from the public about their local traditions and legacy.

Coplen’s own legacy may be shaped by his dedication to the Kosciusko County Historical Society’s quarterly magazine, Thaddeus. A founder of the magazine who serves as editor, Coplen provides articles about the people, places and events that have shaped local history, such as the old Flagpole Custard Stand. Recently, articles from the magazine were published as a Bicentennial book titled That’s Life, Stories of Kosciusko County, which is available at the Old Jail Museum in Warsaw.

Like Coplen, McCoy is involved with his local historical society; He currently serves as its president. He stepped into the role of LaGrange County historian in July after the passing of the previous historian, Ezra Miller. McCoy says he always has been interested in history, especially genealogy. He also enjoys answering questions from the public, such as when a group of high school students needed help researching the life of a World War I veteran.

Coplen and McCoy are among 92 men and women lending their talents to the County Historian Program, which was established in 1981. A directory of all local county historians is available online.

For more information about this program and other IHS resources, call (317) 232-1882.