In 1816, 43 delegates met to write Indiana’s first constitution. However, it was too hot at the time so they moved outside and wrote it under a tree.

The tree died in 1925 due to Dutch Elm disease. However the trunk is still preserved. Tiny pieces of the tree branches were sold as souvenirs and can still be bought at the gift shop.  It was soon named the Constitution Elm, and it still stands today in Corydon. Corydon was the site of Indiana’s first state capitol from 1816 to 1825.

During 1861, Corydon was Indiana’s only Civil War battlefield and that is not the only exciting thing about Corydon, according to Program Developer Laura Van Fossen. One of the many exciting events going on this year is Corydon hosting an exhibit from June 8 until June 29. Corydon will be serving as one of the main focal points during Indiana’s bicentennial year. Van Fossen is excited for events to be hosting at Corydon.

“We are thrilled to be having so many events here in Corydon where our state began,” Van Fossen wrote in an email to the Journal.

It will feature the original 1816 Constitution and other important state documents.  This will be on display at the First State Office Building and open to the public with regular Site admission.