LaPorte County family heirlooms, the W.A. Jones Collection of Ancient Weapons and the Kesling Auto Collection are among the displays one can peruse in a 17,000-square-foot space in LaPorte.
More than 80,000 items are on display at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum, which is open Tuesdays-Saturdays.
“We have one of the largest privately owned antique gun collections. It actually belongs to the city of LaPorte so that’s a big draw,” said Susie Richter, curator of the La Porte County Historical Society Museum.
“We have about 40 collectible cars and airplanes that belong to Dr. Peter Kesling. This was his museum in the first place. He built it for the cars and sold it to the county in 2005.
“It’s a three-way deal with the historical society. We have all our items in here as well as from residents of the county over the past 150 years.”
Other exhibits include a space dedicated to serial killer Belle Gunness and period rooms such as the 1920s Kitchen, Victorian Parlor and Pioneer Log Cabin Display.
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“We have 14 period rooms. They’re really nice and all decorated according to the period that they should be. We have a lot of items manufactured in LaPorte County,” said Richter, of LaPorte.
The museum, which includes the work of assistant curator Janet Sikorski and county historian Fern Eddy Schultz, welcomes submissions from the public.
“If it’s something unusual that we don’t have that’s somehow connected to the history of LaPorte County, we’ll take it,” Richter said.
“My favorite things are memorabilia from companies and retail stores like the little things they gave away — keychains and pencils that had companies’ names or logos on them.”
Another draw of the La Porte County Historical Society Museum is the Research Library that is open from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and features archival and library collections of items of historical and genealogical significance pertinent to LaPorte County.
“People come here and do genealogy here all the time. Sometimes they’ll plan their vacation around using our Research Library,” Richter said.
“There’s all kinds of records, photographs and just so much there. Then we’ve also got archival files if someone wants to look up particular businesses. We have a lot of files on just tons of different topics.”
The museum is a project of the La Porte County Historical Society, which is open to anyone interested in history, genealogy, antiques and LaPorte County.
“The biggest perk for being a historical society member is free admission to the museum,” said Richter, noting that there are different levels of membership starting at $15 for an individual.
A sustaining membership for $25 also includes 10 percent off in the gift shop while a patron membership at $40 includes 10 percent off in the gift shop plus a free calendar. A lifetime membership costs $200 and business or corporation membership is available for $250.
In addition to memberships, La Porte County Historical Society Museum is supported through fundraisers such as the sale of calendars available at the front desk. Entitled “I Fall to Pieces,” the 2018 calendar costs $12 and features photos of LaPorte County quilts from the historical society’s collection.
“It’s a beautiful place to spend the day and bring the family,” Richter said. “There’s always something new. It’s a very large museum and people are always very surprised.”
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
La Porte County Historical Society Museum
When: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; closed Sundays-Mondays
Where: 2405 Indiana Ave., Suite 1, LaPorte
Admission: $5 adults; $4 seniors; free under age 18
Information: 219-324-6767; www.laportecountyhistory.org