Email: Whitley County Historical Society
108
West Jefferson Street
Columbia City, Indiana 46725
Telephone: (219)
244-6372
Fax: 219-244-6384
|
Dear Friend, The Whitley County Historical Society contracted this week to buy the Murbach property. This property, on the northwest corner of Main and Jefferson Streets, lies just east of the Whitley County Historical Museum. Long recognizing the need for more exhibit space for its collection of Whitley County historical artifacts and desiring to expand educational and cultural programs in the community, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to obtain the property at its appraisal value when it unexpectedly became available. The Society presently publishes quarterly "The Bulletin" a 30 or more page booklet of county historical stories. In addition, a fall and spring banquet is held featuring programs of historical interest and a Valentine Party tops its social events. The Society and the museum staff provide guided tours through the museum and the Little Turtle annex to over 700 visitors annually. The staff also hosts field trips in the museum for 2000 third, fourth and fifth grade Whitley County students yearly, as well as visiting classrooms with programs at no charge. Programs are provided for county organizations, churches, clubs, nursing homes and home schooled and reach another 1800 of the counties citizens. The museum facilities are used for community organization's meetings and parties. The Old Settler Association use the Little Turtle Annex to register the community citizenry and visitors during the annual festival. The Society provides a hospitality tent and refreshments for the occasion. A Holiday open house is annually hosted. Past open houses have presented choral groups. This year's celebration on Dec 8, 1 to 4 pm, will feature craft workshops using the theme of "Make It and Take It"; as well a class on gun care and fly tying. At this time, the new property will be open for tours. It again will be open for tours on Sunday afternoon, Jan 12. Light refreshments will be served at both open houses. The Society and the Staff provide programs and speakers for meetings away from the Museum, give walking community tours and have placed exhibits in different areas throughout the county. Presently, programs are being planned for all Sunday afternoons in February. Subject matter will be announced later. The Society sponsors the annual Native American Powwow, now drawing over thirty five hundred people into the community. In the past it has hosted an "Old Timer's Baseball Game. The sister organizations, the Genealogy and Archaeology Societies make their home at the Museum. The society invites private collectors of Whitley County historical memorabilia to place, on loan to the Museum, their artifacts so they may be displayed in time-limited exhibits in the newly acquired space. Support for the Society and the Museum and its many programs is received from annual membership dues of $15, from tax-saving donations and being remembered in wills and legacies. Benefits of membership included an annual subscription to "The Bulletin" and lowered cost for Society sponsored events. The present staff of the Museum is Ruth Kirk, Director, Susan Richey, Archivist, Jane Studebaker, Registrar, Kay Craig, Editor and Jeanette Brown, County Historian. They may be contacted at the Whitley County Historical Museum, 108 W Jefferson St, Columbia City, Indiana. Phone 260-244-6372 or Fax 260-244-6385
Murbach Museum Committee DETACH & MAlL TO: Murbach House, 108 West Jefferson Street, Columbia City, IN 46725 ************************************************************************************** MURBACH HOUSE FUND I pledge and support the Murbach House Fund Drive ___$5000 ___$1000 ___ $500 ___ $100 ___ $50 — Other $_______ Name: ____________________________________ Phone: ____________________________ Address: ________________________________________ E-Mail: ______________________ City, State, Zip: ________________________________________________________________ Photo courtesy of Beverly Henley
|