March 14 Walk Features Historic Vincennes

To commemorate America’s 250th Anniversary, the Bedford Hiking Club is sponsoring a walk in Vincennes on Saturday, March 14. Organizers of the walk thought what better place in Indiana to learn more about our history than a walk in Vincennes. The walk is part of the Volkswalk series.

Although catering to those who do Volkswalks – an international sport popular in 42 countries, anyone is welcome to join us on this historic walk. The walk starts behind the Indiana Historic Sites at 1 Harrison St., in Vincennes, IN. There is a large parking lot next to these buildings. Walkers can check in between 9AM and Noon. Walkers should plan to complete the walk by 3PM.

The walk is 11 Kilometers or 6.8 miles. There is also a shorter option for a 5-kilometer walk (3.2 miles). The longer walk weaves through the town of Vincennes and the University Campus, Indiana’s oldest town and university. All paths are paved. You’ll be given a map and handout that points out historic buildings and stories of interest along the route.

The importance of the Indiana Territories to the growth of America has been forgotten by most people. These Territories - as large in land mass as the original 13 colonies, has a rich and fascinating history. Vincennes, founded in 1732, has preserved many of its historic places and the past is all around you as you walk its streets. Come learn about this early town on America’s frontier and those who lived there. You’ll also learn about George Rogers Clark and the amazing story of how he saved our young country in the early days and see a monument to Abraham Lincoln and his family as they moved west.

The walk includes historic sites and commentary on how places have changed and been preserved. You'll learn the stories behind the people who lived in this town and built the legacy and heritage that remain here today. The walk winds through a college campus that incorporated early places and people in naming its buildings. They also saved historic buildings and a theater and museum built in tribute to Vincennes favorite comedian - Red Skelton. There are stories to hear, places to see, and kilometers to walk on the streets of Vincennes - come and join us!

The walk is sponsored by the Bedford Hiking Club and the American Volkswalk Association, which is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary this year! It is called a Volkswalk which is German for People’s Walk. The International Volkswalk Association has walks on almost every continent, so this is part of a network of walks. Credit is a stamp in a volkswalk book that keeps track of all the volkswalks a person completes for a later award.

There is a $4 charge/person for adults to cover our costs. We’ll have some light snacks for walkers but encourage walkers to bring a water bottle and wear comfortable shoes.

In general, it might take a person 2.5-3 hours to complete the 11K volkswalk. People walk at their own pace and are encouraged to stop and explore points of interest along the way. It is not a timed event. Dogs are welcome but should be on a leash and owners are expected to pick up after them. However, there are stops along the route that do not allow dogs such as the George Rogers Clark National Historic Site Visitor Center.  

For information on the volkswalk, contact Teena Ligman at 812-278-0139 or by email at [email protected].  For additional information on the area and other things to do and see visit https://visitvincennes.org/.

The Bedford Hiking Club sponsors other year-round walks. Spring Mill State Park in Mitchell has a beautiful walk voted in the past as one of the top ten Volkswalks in the country.  The second walk is the historic Limestone Walk in Bedford.  There are also two walks in the Bloomington area, one at Paynetown State Recreation Area, and the other commemorates the life of Hoagy Carmickle while winding through the streets in Bloomington. 

Bedford Hiking Club Website:  www.bedfordhikingclub.com. To learn about other Volkswalks in the area, visit ava.org and search for events by state.