Jessica Layman appointed as new Hamilton County Historian

David Heighway named County Historian Emeritus

The Indiana Historical Society announces the appointment of a new Hamilton County historian, along with the designation of a county historian emeritus.

New Hamilton County historian Jessica Layman is a Local History and Genealogy Librarian at the Hamilton East Public Library in Noblesville. Born and raised in Arcadia, she got her bachelor’s degree in Informatics and her master’s degrees in Library Science and Public History from IUPUI in Indianapolis (now IUI), graduating in 2020.

Before being nominated for the role of Hamilton County Historian, Layman was President of the board of the Hamilton County Historical Society for six years. She began volunteering there while still in high school in 2014. Her historic interests include genealogy of “ordinary people,” building preservation, and the study of memory and commemoration.

David Heighway has been named Hamilton County Historian Emeritus, an honorary designation in recognition of his 18 years of service and dedication as former county historian.

In 1981, through an effort to improve the historical communication network in the state, the Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Historical Bureau established the Indiana County Historian Program. County historians serve as volunteers appointed by the Indiana Historical Society and Indiana Historical Bureau to promote local history in their counties, connect individuals and groups with history resources, promote collaboration between local history organizations, and maintain connections with the Indiana Historical Society and Indiana Historical Bureau. Learn more at IndianaHistory.org.