Porter County Museum
Address
153 S. Franklin St., Valparaiso, IN 46383
Contact
Phone: (219) 465-3595
About
Once the sheriff's residence and local jail, the Porter County Museum is now home to Northwest Indiana's largest collection of area history and treasures. Exhibits are displayed through- out the building and change often, because they're always finding new artifacts, every trip is a fresh adventure.
Amenities:
- Non-Smoking
- Eco/Outdoor Friendly
- Family Friendly
- Handicap Accessible
Events:
Adventures of Broncho
Dates: January 02 - December 28, 2019Check website for times
"Broncho John" Sullivan was a cowboy, performer, politician, caretaker, and storyteller. He donated his collection to the PoCo Muse in 1949 to ensure that future generations would learn the legacy of the American frontier.
World War II
Dates: January 02 - December 28, 2019Check website for times
View the comprehensive World War II collection that commemorates the men and women who served our country and educates visitors of all ages on the important military history.
Making Her Place
Dates: January 02 - December 28, 2019Check website for times
Women's history has largely been a silent story. This exhibit unearths some inspirational stories about how women have shaped Porter County.
Prehistoric Porter County
Dates: January 02 - December 28, 2019Check website for times
In 1909, Porter County farmer Myron Benedict was plowing his field when he came across what appeared to be a massive tooth. It was harvest season, and the busy farmer threw the tooth in a corncrib and forgot all about it. In April of 1949, Benedict unearthed parts of a skeleton, teeth, and tusks of a mastodon (Mammut americanum) while plowing a portion of his property that had never been previously tilled. Digging for the mastodon bones was delayed till the fall of 1949 so that the soil could dry out and ease to work involved in recovery and preservation efforts. These artifacts and others are on display in the Prehistoric Porter County exhibit. Children are invited to do a little digging of their own, and visitors are asked to think about what they would do if they found a tooth in their backyard.
Do Your Part! A County Responds to the First World War
Dates: January 02 - December 28, 2019Check website for times
Immerse yourself in the history of WWI as you step into a setting inspired by a Porter County dining room. In the first part of PoCo Muse's upcoming exhibit, "Do Your Part: A County Responds to the First World War," learn about the war from the perspective of Porter County residents who left home to serve. Within the setting of a home, explore artifacts and stories that demonstrate how local men, women, and institutions responded to the call to serve.
From a Bailly Point of View
Dates: February 06 - December 28, 2019Check website for times
What do our belongings say about our identity? From a Bailly Point of View take a close look at Frances Howe, the last Bailly family member to live on the Bailly homestead in Porter County. This exhibit explores Frances Howe's understanding of ethnicity, religion, class, and memory through her possessions.
Historical Valparaiso Home Tour
Date: Saturday, May 1110am-5pm
Iconic home in the residential neighborhoods surrounding the county seat tells a story of Valparaiso's growth and development. Homes on the tour represent the life and culture of a vibrant community and display unique craftsmanship and beautiful architectural styles.
