A recap of the Grove Society’s annual celebration
The Grove Society’s annual History in the Park celebration took place at the Upper Pavilion in Leonard-Leota Park on Sunday, August 24.
The weather was fine and a substantial crowd of local residents and out-of-town visitors gathered for lunch and a lecture.
Lunch fare featured the traditional bratwurst and hotdogs, grilled by Grove Society volunteers on the old fireplace near the pavilion. Ardy Bros. BBQ Catering of Evansville provided food and served.
Dan Stephans, former State Architect, local historian, and long-time Grove Society board member, was the featured speaker.
His topic was the history
of the Pruden Products company (later Varco-Pruden Products), a leading manufacturer of steel buildings that celebrated its 75th anniversary as a mainstay of Evansville’s economy this year.
Exhibits were on display, courtesy of the Grove Society and Gene Prudhon. Noteworthy among these was an architect’s model of the Wisconsin Pavilion from the 1964 World’s Fair.
Visitors were especially interested in the Grove Society’s collection of yearbooks and other memorabilia from the Pruden Companies.
Related: Grove Society Celebrates History in the Park August 24, 2025