Pamela Bennett

Pamela Jean Bennett, long-time director of the Indiana Historical Bureau, died of complications from Alzheimer’s on January 27, 2025. Pam was born on July 3, 1943, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Paul and Martha (nee Scruggs) Bennett.

Pam graduated from Gettysburg College in 1965 with an A.B. in Chemistry. After falling in love with British novels, Pam attended Indiana University–Bloomington and completed an A.M. in English Literature. At Indiana University, she was Assistant Editor of the Indiana Magazine of History and several other history journals and projects. In 1976, Pam became director of the Indiana Historical Bureau, where she remained until her retirement in 2015.

As director, Pam actively worked to safeguard Indiana’s historical records. Her strong belief in the power of knowing history as the basis for thoughtful citizenship led her to provide students and adults with access to Indiana’s history and culture through a variety of educational and historical materials and programs.

Colleagues and friends lauded Pam as a take-charge person who was a strong collaborator, an excellent writer and editor, and a devoted mentor.

She served as editor and publisher of more than a dozen publications, including Bury Me in a Free Land: the Abolitionist Movement in Indiana 1816-1865, with Gwen Crenshaw, Centennial History of the Indiana General Assembly, 1816-1978 with Justin Walsh, and Indiana 1816-1850: The Pioneer Era, with Donald F. Carmony.

Pam was also nationally recognized and served on the boards of several organizations, including the National History Day Board of Trustees and the American Association for State and Local History, serving as Vice President from 1988-1989 and as President from 1990-1992.

In 2010, the Marion County Historical Society presented Pam with the Fadely History Award for “outstanding effort” to promote history in Indianapolis and Marion County. In 2011, the Indiana Historical Society presented Pam with the Eli Lilly Lifetime Achievement Award for “extraordinary contributions over an extended period of time to the field of Indiana History.”

Pam was known for her love of reading, especially mysteries, from Agatha Christie to Sue Grafton and Louise Penny. She was a strong supporter of the arts and culture. She frequented and supported museums, had an extensive collection of paintings and prints of scenes of nature and birds, and had season tickets to the Indiana Symphony and Indiana Repertory Theater for many years. Pam also loved cats—big cats, small cats, wild cats, soft and cuddly cats.

Pam is survived by her long-time partner, Dani Pfaff, sister, Patricia Cosimi, brother, Michael Bennett, nieces and nephews.

Contributions may be made to National History Day, College Park, Maryland or to the Indiana State Library Foundation in care of the Indiana Historical Bureau.

A Celebration of Life for Pamela will be held March 28, 2025, from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at the Indiana State Library, 140 North Senate Avenue, Indianapolis. Parking will be available in the Senate Avenue Garage.