Posts Tagged ‘Historical Society’
Monday, October 19th, 2009
Family Day at the Museum October 25 10a – 2p
Bring your entire family to tour a less-spooky version of the Porter County Museum during Family Sundays. A Halloween-themed story time will take place at 11a and 1p. Free admission.
Forgotten Images October 21 – October 30 6p – 8p
Explore the jail in an all new way—by black light. Long forgotten historical images have been displayed within the former barred fortress. Your mission: find 20 specific things within the pictures. The catch: you only have 15 minutes to accomplish this scavenging feat.
$10 donation per adult
$5 donation per student, senior, or child
No more than 13 participants allowed per time slot. Guests admitted every twenty minutes.
Three different image scavenger hunts available.
Haunted Museum Tours October 21 – October 24 8p, 9p, & 10p
Ever visit the Porter County Museum and think that it is haunted? Well, you thought correctly. Come learn about the haunted history of the building and its contents during one of our Haunted Museum Tours. You never know when you will have a ghostly encounter of your own in the former jail and Sheriff’s residence.
$15 donation per adult
$10 donation per student, senior, or child
Tours last approximately 45 minutes.
BoooBash Halloween Party for Kids October 24 11a – 1p
This entertaining and educational Halloween party for kids begins directly after the Saturday performance of the Witches Brew Ha! Ha! at the Memorial Opera House. Participants will be able to hear a spooky story, play themed games, decorate gourds, and have a frighteningly good meal inside the former jail and sheriff’s residence. With only room for 30 people, these tickets are going fast. $20/ donation per child.
Demons of the Jail October 27 – October 30 8p – 11p
The restless spirits of the former Porter County jail come to life for revenge during the final week leading to Halloween.
Come attempt to make it through both levels of the jail and the basement—areas normally off-limits to the public. Are you brave enough to escape the demons of the jail?
$10 donation per adult
$5 donation per student, senior, or child
With luck, it takes approximately 15-20 minutes to escape.
Ghoulish & Glam Costume Cocktail Party October 31 6p – 12a
Want to spend Halloween in two of the most haunted buildings in Northwest Indiana? Support the Porter County Museum and Memorial Opera House by attending this extravagant Halloween night fundraiser.
Learn of the haunted stories of the Museum and Opera House while enjoying endless hors d’ouvres, an open bar, and live entertainment all evening. Remember to wear your best costume to this eerie event.
$75 donation per adult
$55 donation per Historical Society members or Opera House season ticket holders.
Reserve your ticket at (219) 548-9137 or by the web at www.mohlive.com.
Tags: (219) 465-3595, (219) 548-9137, booobash, call, celebration, cocktails, demons, donation, event, exhibit, forgotten images, friday, fun, fundraiser, ghost tours, ghosts, ghoulish, glam, halloween, haunted, haunted house, Historical Society, Indiana, jail, kid party, Memorial Opera House, museum, october, october 31, odd, paranormal, party, porter county, saturday, scary, schedule, special events, special hours, spirits, spooks, strange, sunday, Valparaiso, weird
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Saturday, May 23rd, 2009
The String A Long Quilt Guild is coming back to the Porter County Museum at 1p on Saturday, May 30 to give an interactive presentation on the history of our quilts and other textiles in the Historical Society’s Collection. Visitors are welcome to bring their own quilts to the Museum for assessment by the guild.
Marjorie Herren (of Valparaiso) is loaning two quilts that were made by her grandmother. One of the quilts dates all the way back to the 1841 inauguration of President William Henry Harrison. Besides being in immaculate condition, the quilt is said to have a piece of the dress that was warn by Harrison’s wife to the inauguration.
Marjorie’s family has quite a connection to the Historical Society and Museum. Her father, Joe Robbins (b. 1881- d. 1983), was a former President of the Historical Society. Marjorie’s sister, Ruth Robbins (b. 1908), re-incorporated the Historical Society back on October 6, 1948—saving it from the brink of dissolution. Even more amazing is the fact that Marjorie’s great grandfather was S.P. Robbins—the commissioner who approved the construction of the jail building where the Museum is currently situated.
For more information on this event, please feel free to call the Museum at (219) 465-3595 or email at info@portercountymuseum.org.
Tags: (219) 465-3595, 1841, 1881, 1948, 1983, collection, commissioner, condition, construction, dress, family, grandmother, Historical Society, Historical Society of Porter County, history, inauguration, Indiana, info@portercountymuseum.org, information, jail building, Joe Robbins, loan, Marjorie Herren, may 30, museum, October 6, piece, Portage, Porter County Museum, presentation, President, questions, Quilt Guild, re-incorporated, Robbins, S.P. Robbins, Samuel Putnam Robbins, saturday, second jail in porter county, String A Long, String Along Quilt Guild, textiles, two quilts, Valparaiso, wife, William Henry Harrison
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Wednesday, May 13th, 2009
Greetings from the Porter County Museum!
Why does time move so quickly? One day I write a blog, blink, and the next thing I know I have skipped out on several months of blogging. Apologies all around for not keeping you in my loop. Quite a bit has happened (as it always does around this Museum) in the time since I last blogged, so I will do my best to fill you in. Look for more big changes at the Museum over the summer…
I am very proud to announce that I was nominated—and won—the ROSE Award for 2009 Professional of the Year. The Porter County Convention, Recreation, and Visitor Commission awarded me the Recognition of Service Excellence award plaque this morning/ afternoon at a very lovely luncheon at the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City.
It is quite an honor to be nominated for this award–let alone win. Ruth Keefover from tourism did a marvelous job putting the event together. The meal was enjoyable and the company was outstanding. Maybe I am showing bias here, but I sat at the greatest table in the entire room.
Well, that is all for today. Hopefully I will find a bit of time to start my updates tomorrow. No promises, though. Last time I said I was going to blog the next day two months elapsed.
Best,
KMP
Executive Director
Porter County Museum
Tags: blog, Blue Chip, casino, convention recreation visitor commission, Executive Director, Historical Society, kevin pazour, kmp, Michigan City, PCCRVC, porter county, Porter County Museum, professional of the year, quickly, ROSE award, ruth keefover, time
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2009
Re: VIP Events at the Museum
Greetings from the Porter County Museum!
It is hard to believe Easter is behind us as we move closer to the warmer weather of spring (hopefully, right?) and eventually summer.
This Friday (April 17) is the second of several VIP opening night receptions to come in 2009—a collaborative effort of the Porter County Museum and the Memorial Opera House.
Friday’s VIP reception—which will offer a scrumptious selection of finger food and drink—is exclusive to season ticket holders of the Memorial Opera House and members of the Historical Society. Please save the following dates for our future VIP receptions:
Date Time Show VIP Location
Friday, April 17 6:30p—8:00p Swing! Porter County Museum
Friday, June 5 6:30p—8:00p Grease Porter County Museum
Friday, August 14 6:30p—8:00p Why Do Fools Fall in Love? Porter County Museum
Friday, October 2 6:30p—8:00p Godspell Porter County Museum
Friday, December 4 6:30p—8:00p Scrooge—The Musical Porter County Museum
Members of the String A Long Quilt Guild will be present Friday evening to showcase and explain a number of our beautiful, historic quilts. This special program is a must-see for any quilt enthusiast!
Why miss out on the fun? It is never too late to renew your Historical Society membership or purchase season tickets from the Memorial Opera House.
Please consider spending this Friday night at the Porter County Museum and the Memorial Opera House—you certainly will not regret it.
Best,
Kevin Matthew Pazour
Executive Director
Porter County Museum & Historical Society
Tags: Brian Schafer, easter, evening, fun, Godspell, Grease, Historical, Historical Society, kevin pazour, membership, Memorial Opera House, museum, Porter County Museum, Quilt Guild, quilts, reception, Scrooge, season tickets, spend, spring, String A Long, summer, Swing, time, VIP, Why do fools fall in love
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Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
What a crummy day outside. The combination of cold rain and low temperatures makes me want to curl up in bed and wish for a dryer, warmer tomorrow. Oh well. Despite the less-than-ideal weather, it has been nothing but wonderful inside the Museum.
Friday and Saturday were extremely productive days within the Museum—especially in regard to spring cleaning. Mark McColley single-handedly cleaned the upstairs solitary cell of the jail and reorganized it so the county can begin building shelves this Friday. Once built, we will be moving the records from the basement of the county garage to the Museum. It should be quite the project.
Mike Spudic, Chairman of the Historical Society, stopped by Friday evening with his wife (and current Historical Society Secretary) Wanda and cleaned the basement for several hours. I honestly should have take before and after pictures. This place is starting to really get whipped into shape.
Mark returned on Saturday afternoon to continue cleaning the Museum. With additional help from Mike Shaw and Stacey Hensley, much was accomplished. For the first time in my career, the upstairs of the jail and the basement of the residence almost appear to have an organizational system going. In addition to organizing the newspapers, furniture was rearranged in the Bailly bedroom. Things are certainly shaping up. Next project is the middle room upstairs…
Believe it or not, but I have also been doing some cleaning. My office was (and usually stays) a complete disaster area since the time we reopened back in December. It does not help that I am working on five different projects at once. I am finally getting a handle on things, though. It is almost beginning to resemble a real office again. Keep your fingers crossed that it stays this way!
On Monday morning three members of the String Along Quilt Guild stopped by the Museum to help clean the quilts in our collection. The three hard-working ladies seemed to have a great time working from 9:30a until 1:30p. The entire guild has been an asset to the Museum & Historical Society. They will be returning shortly—with reinforcements—to continue their work.
Today I continued re-organizing our file system. Wait. Scratch that. There has never been any uniform file system. I am in the process of creating a file system for the Museum. It has turned out to be a bigger project than I had originally anticipated. As I take it piece by piece, it will get accomplished.
In the afternoon Ruth Johnston and her Valparaiso University education class visited the Museum for a tour. Helen Arvidson and Lucie Whitlow helped facilitate our guests. Ruth’s class is helping connect our collection with state standards in order to make it more enticing for school children to visit. The group seemed legitimately thrilled to learn about our history. After the visit the group brainstormed ideas on ways we can improve the Museum. It is very exciting to work with a motivated group that would like to help in every way possible.
I apologize for getting behind on my blog—hopefully I will catch up now. Sometimes it is tough being the only staff person at the Museum. Sometimes my schedule becomes irregular due to other commitments. Hopefully I can stay on task from here on out.
Instead of putting something in from an old newspaper today, I thought I would put in something I find very interesting—a small pamphlet on the history of the Museum and Historical Society put together in 1966 by one of the founding members of the Historical Society.
Historical Society of Porter County
A group of historically minded citizens met in 1911 at the Public Library and agreed informally to review and record the early history of Porter County. Twenty eight men and women responded and are listed as charter members. They are Mrs. O.P. Kinsey, Rev. Edward Mungovan, Rev. Robert Beer, Miss Bertha Joel, Mrs. Frank W. Amstutz, Mrs. Alfred R. Putnam, Mrs. P. J. Horn, Mrs. H. M. Beer, Mrs. Arthur C. Smith, Mr. W. E. Pinney, L. F. Bennett, Mrs. L. F. Bennett, Miss Margaret Cameron Beer, Miss Luella Porter, Mrs. H.B. Brown, Miss Catherine Corboy, M. A. Gregory, Mrs. M. A. Gregory, Mrs. W. E. Harris, W. F. Reinhardt, Miss Adeline Amstutz, Mrs. J. E. Roessler, Miss Narcissa Hammel, Miss May Stickney, M.L. Dickover, Mrs. Deborah Gay, and Hubert Skinner.
Officers elected were President, M.A. Gregory; first vice president, Mrs. L.F. Bennett; second vice president, Miss Margaret Cameron Beer; secretary, Mrs. A. C. Smith; and treasurer, Mrs. P.J. Horn.
The object of the Society were stated as the collection and preservation of all records and material calculated to shed light upon the natural, civil and political history of Porter County and surrounding country, the marking of historical places, the promotion of useful knowledge, and the friendly and profitable intercourse of such citizens as are disposed to promote these ends.
The President, Mr. Gregory, was asked to secure stationery. The heading on this stationary reads:
Porter County Historical Society
Founded 1912
Public Library Building
Valparaiso, Indiana, U.S.A.
On the left side of the stationary there were printed a number of Porter County Firsts. This has been of historical value and is often quoted.
The Society voted that all who became members up to and including 1915 should be listed as charter members. A substantial book for minutes was purchased. On August 20, 1916 (Indiana Centennial Year) the Society decided to erect a marker on or near the site of the first school house in Valparaiso. This was dedicated September 27, 1916 as a part of Porter County’s observance of Centennial Week. The marker is at the northwest corner of the First Presbyterian Church.
In 1918 the Society voted to purchase articles of historical interest at the Francis Howe sale at the Bailly Homestead. In 1918 Mrs. A. C. Smith and Mrs. A. R. Putnam were appointed to see the Library Board about a permanent room. This was done and the room west of the juvenile room was so designated. During 1916 the entire lower floor of the Library was used for historical exhibits during the Centennial Week, every township having a booth. Following the exhibit many called for their articles but many donated their things to the Society. This became the nucleus for an interesting museum located on the lower floor of the Library.
Mr. Gregory felt that he could no longer function as President of the Historical Society. Mrs. Frank B. Chester, Regent of the William Henry Harrison Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution knew of the members interest in the Society. Both organizations held meetings and it was decided that the DAR would assume responsibility of the Museum but agreed that the Historical Society should not lose its identity. The DAR Chapter Regent would function also as President of the Historical Society. Those who served were Mrs. F. B. Chester, Mrs. George F. Chester, Mrs. Alfred R. Putnam, Mrs. H. J. Arnold, Mrs. Leslie Lembke, Mrs. H. Clark, Mrs. Ina Cunningham, Mrs. C. W. Wharton, Mrs. Fred Bartz, Mrs. E. H. Erler and Miss Ruth Robbins.
In 1948 six DAR members cared for the re-incorporation of the Historical Society and relinquished its responsibility of leadership. Mrs. T.O. Dillon was duly elected President of the Historical Society of Porter County, Incorporated.
The Public Library had need of its room and in April 1934 Mrs. Putnam, by letter, asked the County Commissioners for quarters in the Court House. This was granted but before the Museum could be moved to the assigned rooms there was a fire. Following the remodeling in 1937 the Porter County Commissioners offered another room. With the use of the blue prints Mrs. Putnam and Mrs. George Chester selected the present quarters which have housed the Museum since that time with the exception of when the room was used by the Rationing Board during World War II.
The exhibits were placed in the Assembly Room at that time. The Historical Society has received many valued gifts. On April 20, 1949 the three Concord stage coaches and numerous other articles were legally accepted from Mr. John Sullivan (Broncho John). The Mastodon bones were formally accepted from Mr. Myron Benedict on July 9, 1950. The exhibits vie in interest with those of much larger museums. The Historical Society of Porter County may be justly proud of what has been accomplished.
Presidents of the Society in addition to those already named were Mr. Norris Coambs, Mr. Joseph Robbins, Mr. Arthur Finney, Miss Carolyn Whitlock, Mrs. William E. Swanson, Mrs. Harry Williamson, Mr. Marvin Phares and Mr. Marion Isaacs. This history was compiled by Mrs. Alfred R. Putnam in 1966. Officers for that year were: Mr. Marion Isaacs, president; First vice president, Fred Homfeld; Second vice president, W.I. Wilson; Secretary, Mrs. Trevor Stalbaum; Treasurer, Mrs. Minnie Cooper; Museum Board, James Meagher, Lloyd Rigg and Norris Coambs; Museum Curator, Mrs. Irving Bundy.
That is all for today. I plan on adding a blog tomorrow about the mystery that surrounds the jail and Sheriff’s residence…
Best,
KMP
Executive Director
Porter County Museum & Historical Society
Tags: 1934, 1937, 1947, 1966, A.C. Smith, Amstutz, Arnold, assembly room, Bailly, Bartz, Beer, Bennett, blog, broncho john, Brown, chairman, Chester, Coambs, Commissioners, Corboy, Courthouse, Daughters of the American Revolution, Dickover, Dillon, education class, Erler, Executive Director, file system, Finney, First vice president, friday, Gay, Greogry, Hammel, Harris, Helen Arvidson, Historical Society, Historical Society of Porter County, Horn, Indiana, Indiana Centennial Celebration, Isaacs, jail, Joel, john h. sullivan, Kevin Matthew Pazour, Kinsey, L.F. Bennett, Lembke, lucie whitlow, M.A. Gregory, Margaret Cameron Beer, mark mccolley, Mike Shaw, mike spudic, Miss Ruth Robbins, Mungovan, museum, Myron Benedict, office, old jail, Phares, Pinney, Porter, porter count, Porter County Museum, President, project, Putnam, rationing board, Reinhardt, residence, resident, Roessler, Ruth Johnston, Ruth Robbins, sarah jewell, saturday, schedule, second vice president, secretary, Skinner, Smith, solitary cell, spring, Stacey Hensley, Stickney, String Along Quilt Guild, Swanson, treasurer, valparaiso university, wanda spudic, weather, Wharton, Whitlock, William Henry Harrison, Williamson, World War II
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Friday, March 20th, 2009
Believe it or not, it is Friday already! It seems like my days get shorter and shorter as we continue to improve the Porter County Museum. There is still a lifetime of work to accomplish, but it gets better with every passing moment.
On Tuesday a group of 27 fourth grade students and chaperons visited the Museum from Mrs. Drazier’s class at Hebron Elementary School. The group was visiting several locations throughout the day, including the Memorial Opera House and the Brauer Museum of Art.
I received the estimate from Baumgartner’s Fine Art Restoration in regards to our Henry Cross (fish-man) painting of the Goliath Grouper and Murray Beach. It will cost a total of $9750.00 to fully restore the painting to its original splendor. It should make for a great Historical Society program in the coming months.
Lately, I have been researching a 1909 baseball team from the area known as the Valparaiso Standards. The team played a variety of other minor league teams from the surrounding area—even several from Chicago. The next version of the newsletter is going to have a story about the team that was written by The Stroller (a.k.a. William O. Wallace).
The notion of a good minor league team in the area sparked my interest to learn more. With a little bit of searching I was able to find a box of newspapers—once held by the recorder’s office—from July of 1909. I found several articles and advertisements about the Valpo Standards and their opponents. I currently have my VU intern (Megan Lamboley) searching microfilm in the library to find all we can about the team. It should make for a great spring program when we put everything together.
In the process of looking through the extremely fragile papers, I found one article from August 1909 that details an electrical storm that passed through the area. I thought you might enjoy this century-old story. It even contains a small bit about the building I am sitting in typing this—the old jail and Sheriff’s residence.
Porter County Vidette
August 4, 1909
Electrical Storm Visits Community
(From Friday’s Daily.)
Valparaiso and the surrounding vicinity was visited by a severe electrical storm yesterday afternoon about two o’clock, which left considerable damage in its path. A rainstorm came up from the west and as it continued the wind increased in velocity until it became quite threatening. The storm was accompanied by lightning, of the sharpest kind, and deafening thunder peals rent the air.
Hits Court House Flagstaff.
When the storm was at its height a bolt of lightning struck the flagstaff on the court house. The pole, which is eighteen inches in diameter, was completely shattered from top to bottom. Several large splinters were hurled to the ground, one of them being driven into the earth with such force that it required considerable effort to remove it. If any fire was caused by the lightning’s bolt it was immediately put out by the downpour of rain. The occupants of the court house, especially those in the clerk’s and recorder’s office, could plainly feel the shock, although they escaped all injury.
Stunned by Shock.
Mrs. Mae Wood, wife of Sheriff Wood, was knocked senseless when the lightning struck near. She was standing in an upstairs room at the jail residence, when the crash came. She was thrown clear across the hall into an adjoining room, where she was found unconscious by other inmates of the house. A near-by physician was hurriedly summoned and she was soon brought back to consciousness. Mrs. Wood is able to be about today and fortunately will suffer no ill results from her harrowing experience.
Barn and Contents Burn.
The large barn on the Gus Mitchner farm, 2 ½ miles north of town, was struck by lightning, and burned to the ground, together with the contents. J.D. Logan, who is the tenant on the farm, was standing in the barn when it was struck by the bolt. He was knocked down, but soon regained his feet and had barely time to get the two horses out of the barn when the building was enveloped in flames. Mr. Logan just finished putting up his crop of hay, which is estimated at 40 tons. A buggy and spring wagon was also consumed in the flames. The barn was 40X60 feet and has just recently been reshingled. The heavy loss is partially covered by insurance.
Wires Out of Commission.
Manager Ball, of the local telephone company, states that the storm was the most severe his company has yet suffered. Nearly all the lines in the west part of town were temporarily put out of commission, and the country service was badly crippled. The Western Union Telegraphy company reports that their lines were effected, but repairs have been made and messages are now gotten through without difficulty.
Minor Losses.
The residence of Mrs. G. A. Dodge on West Main street was struck, but fortunately only the chimney suffered. The damage is slight, fully covered by insurance.
The chimney at the home of Vernon Beach on North Napoleon street was tumbled down by the lightning. Here, too, the damage was slight.
The tower on the German Lutheran church at Wanatah was struck, but little damage resulted.
Well, that is all for now. Be sure to check out my blog again on Monday for another update. Have a great weekend!
Best,
KMP
Executive Director
Porter County Museum & Historical Society
Tags: 1909, august, baseball, baumgartner, baumgartner fine, Brauer Museum of Art, buggy, century, Chicago, chimney, court, court house, director, drazier, electrical storm, elementary school, fine art, fire, flagstaff, friday, G.A. Dodge, german lutheran church, goliath grouper, Gus mitchner, Hebron, Historical Society, horses, house, insurance, intern, J.D. Logan, lightning bolt, Mae Wood, manager ball, megan lamboley, Memorial Opera House, minor league, murray beach, North Napoleon street, old jail, painting, physician, pole, Porter County Museum, recorders office, Sheriff Wood, sheriff's residence, standards, Stroller, stunned, team, telephone company, Valparaiso, valparaiso university, valpo, Vernon Beach, vu, wanatah, western union telegraphy, William O. Wallace
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Monday, March 16th, 2009
Time certainly flies while running the Porter County Museum. I feel terribly that I have totally neglected my blog for the last month. So many interesting, fun things have taken place between my last blog post and as I sit and lovingly type to you now.
For example, I have been speaking about the Museum’s restoration project at several different groups within the community—most recently the Valparaiso Women’s Club. Barbara Gramlick and Joan Lane asked me to come speak to the club about all of the wonderful changes within our Museum. Helen Arvidson accompanied me to the Women’s Club and spoke about our local cowboy celebrity—“Broncho” John Sullivan. Lucie Whitlow also attended the event and helped iron out the logistics of our presentation. Overall, the women seemed very interested and entertained by the things Helen and I had to say. I hope to have the whole club in to see the Museum very soon.
Pazour Point—The Valparaiso Women’s Club has been around for quite some time. In fact, the club was organized in February 1895 (my great-grandmother was a one-year-old at the time) by some of the same founding members of the Historical Society.
Speaking is not my only specialty. Last Monday I took our Henry Cross painting of Murray Beach and his 495 pound Goliath Grouper (a gigantic, endangered fish) to the Baumgartner’s in Chicago with Gregg Hertzlieb from the Brauer Museum of Art. Why did I take our beloved painting on a road trip? Well, Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration specializes in meticulous restoration work and has examined our beautiful “fish-man” painting. With the right amount of TLC and money, we will be able to restore Murray Beach and his whopper catch to their original, vibrant glory.
Pazour Point—I want to reiterate my thanks to Gregg Hertzlieb and Ed Melendez for their help in getting the painting to Chicago. Ed Melendez, Superintendent of County Parks & Recreation, provided a van to transport the painting to and from Chicago. This was no easy feat considering the painting is roughly 5’ by 7’. Gregg Hertzlieb, the Director/ Curator of the Brauer Museum of Art gave up several hours of his day to drive the painting to the Baumgartner’s studio in downtown Chicago. Without them, this project would not have been possible.
Yesterday was the opening of Treasures from the Porter County Museum at the Westchester Township History Museum in Chesterton. This is another fine instance of how time has completely gotten away from me. Jane Walsh-Brown, the curator of the Westchester Township History Museum, and I have been putting together a sampling of the Porter County Museum’s outstanding artifacts. I was even a guest on Jane’s show Historically Speaking last month and spoke about this special exhibit.
Go visit the Westchester Township History Museum. You really need to see this special exhibit if you get the chance. The Treasures of the Porter County Museum exhibit runs all the way through May 31 and truly is a gem of a display. No pun intended. Okay, maybe it was intended. Either way, you should make time for a tour of the Westchester Township History Museum.
These brief stories are only a sampling of what has been going on in my life at the Porter County Museum. In order to better document my experiences—and keep you mildly entertained—I will begin blogging regularly on Mondays and Fridays throughout the week. In addition to keeping you updated on all things Porter County Museum, I will begin a special feature with my Monday edition of blogs.
Starting today, I am going to be looking back in old newspapers and re-keying some of the things I find interesting (and hopefully you will, too). Today’s selection is from The Vidette-Messenger from Monday, March 16, 1959—exactly 50 years ago to the day.
The national headline from the paper reads: MIDWEST IS LASHED BY STORMS. The article goes on to say, “A savage winter curtain call of fierce wind, snow and rain storms howled across the Midwest during the weekend and swept eastward with undiminished fury.” Fast forward five decades. Hopefully we are done with snow for this season. Right?
A story about theft and vandalism made the main local headline for the day. This is of particular interest to me because I attended Washington Township High School.
Vandals Loot, Damage School
Two Sunday night break-ins, one at the Washington Township school and the other at Dommer’s service station, intersection of Ind. 49 and U.S. 30, are being investigated today by Sheriff’s police.
Loot obtained at the school included a small portable radio, a new 1959 Royal typewriter, valued at $180, and approximately $7.50 in cash. Taken from the service station were four new tires valued at $172.
The thieves caused a considerable amount of damage in the school break-in. However, Trustee Harland Beach stated that he has been unable to make an estimate as of yet.
Oren Reeder, janitor at Wasington, discovered the break-in at 6:30 a.m. He notified the sheriff’s office and Trustee Beach.
The investigation was made by Sheriff Edward Buchanan.
Buchanan said the thieves entered by breaking a door on the northeast side of the new section of the school. After entering the school, they attempted to break open two candy machines but were unsuccessful.
Thieves Destructive
They broke through a door in the school show but apparently did not take anything from this room. The thieves then went to the office of Principal James Dold where they smashed the glass in the door.
In this office they obtained the radio, typewriter and cash. Several file cabinets were badly damaged with a crowbar, police said. The thieves also broke another door in the building as they left.
The break-in at the service station was investigated by Deputy Ewalt Jahnz. Station is operated by Carl E. Dommer, who discovered the entry at 7 a.m. today.
Jahnz stated that there was no sign of forced entry to the building and that the thieves apparently used a key to open the front door. Nothing except tires appeared to be missing.
Prof Gets Fulbright Award
Dr. Ferencz P. Kallay, assistant professor of geography and geology at Valparaiso University, has received a Fulbright Scholarship for study of the population problem on the island of Sardinia.
Dr. Kallay specializes in the geography of Mediterranean Europe and he is one of only two Americans who have done field work in Sardinia during the past five years.
He received his doctorate from the University of Michigan in 1955 on a similar study undertaken on this second-largest island in the Mediterranean.
While in Sardinia on the grant which is effective this fall, Dr. Kallay also will be studying the effects of the Flumendosa irrigation project on the island’s economy.
Plans Field Probe
He will conduct field investigations in the fall and spring and will spend the winter interviewing government officials and representatives of private enterprise in addition to doing library research.
While on the Italian island, the VU professor will be associated with the geography departments of the Universities of Rome and Cagliani and he will lecture in Italian at these schools in spring, 1960.
Upon completion of his Fulbright grant in June 1960, Dr. Kallay will take summer courses in political geography at either University of Paris or Oxford.
He plans to present a paper at the International Geographical Union which will meet in Stockholm in August. He will then return to Valparaiso where he has taught since 1957.
Born in West Virginia, Dr. Kallay lived and studied in Hungary until 1947. He received his BA and MA degrees from Wayne State University, Detroit, and earned his Ph.D at the University of Michigan. He is listed in “American Men of Science.”
I do have to say the most amusing aspect of this issue of the paper has to be the advertisements. In the spirit of St. Patrick’s day, I have to say that the ad for Calvert Reserve whiskey is my favorite. It starts by saying, “Only Calvert’s Hand of Skill blends the whiskey with more power to please!” The tag line underneath a giant hand holding a shot glass situated next to a variety of stereotypical Irish items says, “Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day? Let Calvert Reserve add its own festive note to the occasion.” At $4.85 for a 4/5 quart or $1.55 for a ½ pint, I am going to assume many people chose to celebrate fifty years ago.
Looking Backward
Do You Recall These Reports?
TWENTY YEARS AGO (Now seventy years ago)
March 16, 1939
Valparaiso’s water supply was imperiled Wednesday night when a plug in a street connection of the sixteen-inch supply line from this city to Flint Lake blew out. The break occurred in the vicinity of McKinley street on State Road 49.
Charles Kern, Valparaiso High school senior, and winner of the Porter County oratorical contest sponsored by the American Legion posts of the county, is at Lafayette, Ind., today competing in the Second congressional district contest.
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO (Now sixty-five years ago)
March 16, 1944
Portage township, Porter County, entered the casualty lists for the third time this week when another serviceman, Clyde E. Hewitt, Jr., technical sergeant, was reported lost in action in the European area.
Mrs. Martha Jane Griswold, 92, for 64 years a resident of Valparaiso, died today at the home of her son, Clarence Griswold, 104 Napoleon street.
TEN YEARS AGO (Now sixty years ago)
March 16, 1949
The Sheriff’s department continued an investigation today on the series of recent break-ins east of the Valparaiso City limits. Latest incidents were reported Monday and Tuesday mornings this week.
The public works committee of the U.S. House of Representatives has approved a petition for re-opening government investigation or the Burns ditch harbor project, The Vidette-Messenger learned today in a telephone conversation with Rep. Charles A. Halleck.
I have learned quite a bit going through the old newspapers this morning. Check back here Friday for my next blog post. In the meantime, plan a visit to the Porter County Museum. Or better yet—join the Historical Society as a member! Until next time…
Best,
KMP
Executive Director
Porter County Museum
Tags: 104 Napoleon, 1959, American Legion posts, American Men of Science, assistant professor, Barbara Gramlick, Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration, blog, Brauer Museum of Art, Broncho John Sullivan, Brown Mansion, Burns ditch harbor project, Calrence Griswold, Calvert Reserve, Carl E. Dommer, Charles Kern, Chicago, City of Valparaiso, Clyde E. Hewitt, cowboy, curator, Deputy Ewalt Jahnz, Detroit, Dommer's service station, Dr. Ferencz P. Kallay, Ed Melendez, Edward Buchanan, europe, european area, exhibit, featured exhibit, February 1895, Flint Lake, Flumendosa irrigation project, Fridays, Fulbright, Fulbright Scholarship, geography and deology, geology, goliath grouper, Helen Arvidson, henry cross, high school, Historical Society, Historical Society of Porter County, Historically Speaking, History Museum, Hungary, Ind. 49, Indiana, International geographical union, Italian, James W. Dold, Jane Walsh-Brown, janitor, Joan Lane, Jr., Kevin Matthew Pazour, kmp, Lafayette, lost in action, lucie whitlow, May 31, McKinley Street, mediterranean, member, membership, mia, Midwest is lashed by storms, Monday March 16, Mondays, Mrs. Martha Jane Griswold, murray beach, newspapers, Oren Reeder, oxford, Parks and Recreation, pazour point, political geography, Portage township, porter county, Porter County Museum, Porter County oratorical contest, Porter County Parks & Recreation, Principal James Dold, public works committee, Rep. Charles A. Halleck, resident, Royal typewriter, Saint Pat's Day, Sardinia, scholarshio, scholarship, second congressional district contest, Sheriff Ed Buchanan, sheriff's police, special exhibt, St. Patrick's Day, St. Patty's Day, State Road 49, stockholm, technical sergeant, temporary display, Treasures, Treasures from the Porter County Museum, Trustee Harland Beach, typewriter, U.S. 30, U.S. House of Representatives, universities of Rome and Cagliani, University of Michigan, university of Paris, Valparaiso High School, valparaiso university, Valparaiso Women's Club, Vidette-Messenger, vu, VU professor, Washington Township, Washington township high school, Wayne State University, West Virginia, Westchester Township, Westchester Township History Museum, whiskey, WTHM, WTHS
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Friday, February 6th, 2009
Today was nothing short of an adventure—enjoyable, of course. Sitting here piecing together the day after-the-fact almost seems like a work out. It might be a bit better if I did not have to keep ignoring the ghost that appears and disappears in the bedroom across from my office. Even the paranormal want to take part in what is going on around here!
Hit the rewind button. Everything began with responding to phone calls and e-mails this morning at 8a. Two major things were set to happen during the day. The first was that Gregg Hertzlieb was coming from the Brauer Museum of Art at Valparaiso University to help stabilize the Cross painting in our collection. My second major event involved volunteers from the Historical Society and moving two hundred records from the basement of the county garage. Was I in for a huge surprise…
Gregg Hertzlieb, Phillip Brockington and Howard Reeve came from the Brauer to help give the Cross painting some much-needed TLC. Lucie Whitlow and Blaine Hilton—members of the Advisory Board and Historical Society—came to help as well. Blaine even video documented the morning, which will be available on the Museum site at www.portercountymuseum.org. If you have a moment, watch a few of the video clips. They are very interesting to say the least.
Phil and Howard completed some minor restoration work on the frame of our Silas Hazen Lincoln portrait. I honestly cannot say for certain if it is an original portrait. Phil and Howard think it was a Kurz and Allison lithograph that was colorized by Silas Hazen in the 1860’s. The strongest evidence in favor of their argument is two other similarly sized lithographs of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson from the Kurz and Allison studio. Either way, it makes a compelling story. I actually got Phil and Howard to go on video with me to talk about the work they had done aesthetically restoring the frame on the Lincoln. Check out the video on the website as well.
Back to the “Fish-man” painting… Gregg and I carefully took the Cross painting off the wall and set it on protective paper that Lucie placed on the floor. If any of you are familiar with the story (and the condition of the work), you know that there are two sizeable slashes across the canvass. This happened when the painting was originally displayed in the Conservation Club clubhouse on Route 130. A vandal (or vandals) broke in and practiced their swordsmanship on poor old Murray Beach and his Goliath Grouper. As a protective measure, the club voted to send the painting to the Museum. Fast forward several decades…back to the morning of Friday, February 6 at 10:30a…. Gregg applied very strong (and very temporary) linen tape to the back of the tears in the painting. Once the tape set, Gregg and I picked the painting up and set it back on the wall. For more information on the tape and the temporary stabilization process, watch Gregg’s video clip—it is very informative!
Full restoration is in order for the Valpo man and his large endangered fish. Gregg is going to get an estimate for professional restoration through his contact in Chicago. Phil and Howard estimated that total restoration would probably cost an upwards of several thousand dollars. Look for me to have a begging cup on a sidewalk near you soon. All joking aside, this project will be a major focus in the coming year.
In between the first major project and the second, Blaine and I had time to film a quick video regarding the mural that will be unveiled during the Friday, February 13 VIP party before the opening performance of Ragtime at the Memorial Opera House. It almost gave Blaine his first blooper reel for the Museum website. While explaining the mural and its history I almost took a tumble over one of the last remaining antique tools in the room… Would not be the first time I was on YouTube…
Sadly, I can sum up the final major project of the day with one sentence. I am not very good with math. What was supposed to be moving two hundred records from the county garage was just that—moving two hundred tin boxes of records. Too bad I underestimated the total number which is actually closer to 4,000 tin record boxes (among many other boxes of records from the early Twentieth Century).
Mike Spudic, Jason Trunick, Lucie Whitlow, Blaine & Trena Hilton, Stacey Hensley, and Michael Shaw made quick work of the tiny fraction of the records we moved this afternoon. Twenty banker boxes full of records to be exact. Once we secure more boxes the project will resume. Al Hoagland, the supervisor of the highway department, is just happy to see the records begin to move.
Well, I am getting tired and would bet money (not large amounts, though—remember, I am not good with math) you are growing tired of reading. Tomorrow morning I plan on writing more about the project of moving the records from the county garage to the Museum along with what our tentative plan is for the records once they are all (yes, 4,000 tins and then some) here.
Until next time, be sure to check the website to see if any videos are available. Blaine Hilton is doing some amazing things to bring our Museum into the technology age. It is exciting to have a support network of so many intelligent, enthusiastic people that think highly of the Porter County Museum and Historical Society.
Best,
KMP
Executive Director
Porter County Museum
Tags: 000, 1860, 200, 4, Abraham Lincoln portrait, advisory board, Al Hoagland, blaine hilton, brauer, Brauer Museum of Art, Chicago, Conservation Club, county garage, Executive Director, fish-man, George Washington, goliath grouper, gregg hertzlieb, henry cross, Historical Society, howard, howard reeve, jason trunick, kmp, Kurz, Kurz and Allison, Lincoln, linen tape, lucie whitlow, Memorial Opera House, Michael Shaw, mike spudic, mural, murray beach, museum, old, painting, phil, phillip brockington, porter county, Porter County Museum, portercountymuseum.org, Ragtime, records, restoration, Route 130, Silas Hazen, Stacey Hensley, technology, Thomas Jefferson, tin, tin boxes, Trena Hilton, Valparaiso, valparaiso university, video, video clips, VIP party, YouTube
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009
Is it weird to think that I am only 24 years-old, yet the most senior member on the Historical Society’s Board of Directors? Not at all. Besides, I am only a non-voting member of the Board now that I am the Executive Director of the Museum.
Look for some of our new Board members to blog about their experiences with the Historical Society and Porter County Museum soon. The following individuals are members of the Historical Society’s Board of Directors:
Mike Spudic, Chairman
Jason Trunick, Vice Chairman
Wanda Spudic, Secretary
Blaine Hilton, Treasurer
Cary Knauff
Mark McColley
Mike McDowell
Elizabeth Rusnak
Daniel Timm
Lucie Whitlow
As always, I am very excited to work with the Historical Society Board. Everyone brings something different to the mix. Check back frequently as we continue to build a solid future for the Historical Society and Museum through short and long-term planning.
Have an idea you would like to share with us? See an exhibit that can use an update? Do not hesitate to let us know. We are here for the benefit of the community, so every bit of input–no matter how big or small–helps.
One other new face at the Museum is our new intern, Megan Lamboley. Megan, a resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana, is currently a junior at Valparaiso University. Megan will eventually be blogging about her experiences as an intern at the Museum.
If you have an opportunity to stop in at the Museum and say “hello” to Megan, please do. She is normally here on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 1p to 4p (unless it snows heavily). I am very glad to have her on the Museum team.
There is soo much to blog about at the Museum, yet so little time to put my fingers to the keys. Look for more from me soon.
Best,
KMP
Executive Director
Porter County Museum
P.S.-It is a great time to join the Historical Society and support the Museum by becoming a member. Think about it. Tell a friend. In the words of a great “Broncho John” poster–”Don’t Miss This–Your Neighbor Won’t” Join today!
Tags: blaine hilton, blog, Board, Board of Directors, broncho john, cary knauff, college, daniel timm, director, elizabeth rusnak, executive, experience, fort Wayne, friend, Historical Society, Indiana, intern, jason trunick, John Sullivan, junior, kmp, lucie whitlow, mark mccolley, megan lamboley, membership, mike mcdowell, mike spudic, museum, new face, Porter County Museum, school, support, Valparaiso, valparaiso university, valpo, vu, wanda spudic
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009
What a day. Over two feet of snow and it is still falling. I have honestly not seen this much snow at once in my entire lifetime. I actually stayed overnight at the Museum last night because the roads (and the wind) were so bad. My car looks like a tiny igloo with a side mirror sticking out of it.
And no, my stay last night was nothing like the movie. I think the ghosts were even too preoccupied with the weather to notice my sleepover. Speak of sleep, I bet everyone from Fitzgerald Enterprises is lacking in it. Undoubtedly they were all out shoveling and plowing the walkways and parking lots of the county. If it was not for their hard work, we would surely have to make a tunnel system under the snow by now.
Please get here soon, warm weather!
Sometimes I get too caught up in my own work to realize there is quite a bit going on around me. Regardless of Mother Nature, there is still quite a bit going on at the Porter County Museum (PCM) this month. If you have the opportunity, maybe you will join us soon…
This Friday (February 6) is going to be very, very busy. Gregg Hertzlieb, Director of the Brauer Museum of Art at Valparaiso University, is coming at 10a to make a few minor repairs to the “fish-man” painting. Gregg—and his docents Phillip Brockington and Howard Reeve—have been a tremendous help to the Museum.
For those of you unaware of the work, the “fish-man” painting features one-time Valparaiso resident Murray Beach standing next to a now-endangered Goliath Grouper. The work was commissioned by Elias “Lucky” Baldwin and painted by Henry H. Cross. Most all of the artist’s other paintings were commissioned by Buffalo Bill Cody and now hang in Cody’s Museum in Wyoming.
(Pazour Point—Buffalo Bill was longtime friends with “Broncho John” Harrington Sullivan, a true-life cowboy and former resident of Valparaiso, Indiana. Mr. Sullivan’s correspondence with Buffalo Bill now resides in the Museum. Helen Arvidson, a terrific Museum volunteer, will be blogging about “Broncho John” soon. After all, this year is Mr. Sullivan’s 150th birthday. The candles are on back-order)
The story gets better. About a week and a half ago Valparaiso resident Don Beach and his wife visited the Museum after hearing about the restoration work in the newspaper. On a whim, I asked Don if he was related to a Murray Beach. To my dismay he said yes—his father was Murray Beach. I asked him if there were any older Murrays in his family. Once again, his response astounded me. His great-grandfather was Murray as well. We had a match. I showed Don and his wife the painting and told him the story. Both were stunned to learn of the painting—but very appreciative that it was hanging in the Porter County Museum. I hope to see Don, Nancy, and more of his family visit the Museum soon.
Later in the afternoon on Friday volunteers from the Historical Society will be journeying to the county garage on Route 2 to rescue old historical records from the basement of the building. There are literally hundreds of small tins full of old envelopes packed with county records going back well into the 1880’s.
Our opportunity to save these historic records was presented to me by Gwenn Rinkenberger, the Porter County Attorney. Gwenn informed me of the records a day before the last time we had a decent sized snow (it seems to be a good way to mark time, right?). She and I traveled to the county garage one morning to preview the records so I could assemble a plan.
Talk about amazing! The records, aside from a little bit of dust, are in pristine shape. The lack of sunlight in the basement has quite a bit to do with their condition. There are literally hundreds of tins all holding envelopes of historical information from Porter County. Gwenn and I sampled three tins to bring back to the Administration building–one from 1882 (the year the courthouse was built), criminal records from 1891, and one from the May term of the Superior Court from 1897. Melissa Hartig, Vi Wagner, and Commissioner Carole Knoblock were all very intrigued with our find. It will be great to have all these other records preserved at the Museum for posterity’s sake.
Volunteers are going to meet at Noon on Friday at the Museum and then drive over to the county garage. We are going to pack the tins into boxes and transfer them back over to the Museum. Once the records arrive in their new home they will be numerically re-organized within the storage boxes and catalogued. The contents will then be examined and accessioned to the Historical Society’s collection.
If you would like to help peruse the tins and assist us in cataloguing the records, please feel free to call me at (219) 465-3595 or send me an e-mail at info@portercountymuseum.org. It is a great time to get involved at the Museum—especially if you have a bit of free time on your hands.
Look for more blogging from me later today. What else am I going to do with all this snow? Maybe I will go sledding. Nah. I will blog instead. Stay warm, everyone!
Best,
KMP
Executive Director
Porter County Museum
P.S.- “Pazour Points” are my personal comments and stories as Executive Director. Most of the “Pazour Points” you read will be my way of connecting related things together. A majority of the time “Pazour Points” will be completely random, but still somehow make sense–just like me.
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