Bona Thompson Memorial Center History
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Butler University called the suburb of Irvington home from 1875 – 1928. The institution’s vision of equality in education for all races, cultures, and genders melded with that of founders of Irvington. A promising young alum, Bona Thompson, was one of many young women who fulfilled this progressive notion while at Butler. Tragically, she died at the turn of the century, a few short years after graduation. The Thompsons donated funds for the completion of a memorial library in her name. The building was completed in 1903, and served the university until the move to the present Butler campus in 1928.
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| In 1940, after years of neglect, the Disciples of
Christ (Christian Church) bought the building to serve as part of their
international headquarters, housed next door in the 1909 Missionary
Training School. With
drastic interior changes and a connector to the old training school, it
served as part of the Disciples complex until 1995.
In 1999, the Irvington Historical Society helped market the old training school wing
for private development as seniors-only housing.
The Society then raised funds and restored the old Bona Thompson
Memorial Library, as a center for the arts in Irvington. Now you can walk where Butler students did a century ago –
and see art of today and yesterday.
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Grand Foyer Vault, restored in 2002
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Who Was Bona Thompson?
| Bona
Thompson was born May 17, 1878 in Edinburgh, Indiana. Her father, Edward Carvin Thompson, was the grandson of
Alexander Thompson, who had laid out the Johnson County community in
1822. At the time of her
birth, the family was engaged in extensive banking, cattle raising, and
commercial interests in Blue River Township.
Bona’s mother, Mary Pruitt Thompson, was the daughter of
Johnson County pioneers John J. and Jane Pruitt.
Bona’s two older siblings, Maurice and Belle, died in early
childhood, and she, therefore, became the center of her parents’
hopes.
In 1890, as was the custom of the day, Edward Thompson relocated his wife and daughter to the Indianapolis suburb of Irvington so Bona could complete her high school training and attend Butler College while residing at home.
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Bona Thompson Portrait, panted posthumously by T.C. Steele for the Bona Thompson Library
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Bona Thompson (1st row, 2nd from left) with her Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority
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She
graduated from Butler in 1897. During
her college years, she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and
according to yearbooks “…was
known for the brightness and cheerfulness of her disposition. She made friends easily.”
She briefly attended Wellesley College after her graduation but
could not complete her studies because of ill health. Bona also served as treasurer of the local chapter of the
Daughters of the American Revolution.
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| In 1899, shortly after returning from a European trip, Bona died on October 12th of typhoid fever. Devastated by her death, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson gave $42,000 in cash and donated land to Butler for the construction of a memorial library in Bona’s name. Butler officials also accepted the Thompson family donation of a lot at the northwest corner of University and Downey Avenues for the library site. Tragically, both of the Thompsons died in 1902 as the building neared completion. It was dedicated January, 1903. | |
This unique historic place is available for tours and rentals.
Reach
us at:
Irvington
Historical Society / Bona Thompson Memorial Center – 5350 University Avenue
– Indianapolis, IN 46219
(317)
353-BONA
Hours: Wednesday, 1-3pm, Saturday, 1-3pm, Sunday, 1-3pm, and by appointment