A 1956 Ford Thunderbird is wheeled into place at the museum. The T-bird was bequeathed to the museum by the estate of LaPorte resident Clifford Gliva. (Photo provided; click to enlarge)
The LaPorte County Historical Society is now the proud owner of a 1956 Ford Thunderbird, bequeathed by the estate of Mr. Clifford Gliva of LaPorte, who passed away in March 2014. The T-Bird is now in the museum’s permanent display along with Dr. Peter Kesling’s extensive auto collection.
Visitors to the museum in September 2014 came from 12 counties, 16 states, Japan, Germany, Belgium and Australia. The LaSalle Cadillac Club visited on Sept. 25.
Upcoming events
– “LaPorte County Photographers,” Oct. 18: LaPorte County Historian Fern Eddy Schultz will present this program as part of Family History Month at 1 p.m. in the meeting room of the museum.
– Halloween event, Oct. 25: Come to the museum and write down a scary experience that may or may not have involved a ghost in LaPorte County. At the program, each story will be read and then kept on file. Refreshments will be served.
– The current fall display, entitled “Whatzit-Deux?”, features odd objects; it’s up to visitors to see if they can guess their purpose. The display will be exhibited until the end of November.
September donations
– Lenick’s Dairy individual creamers used at Bozek’s Restaurant in Rolling Prairie, 1960s, Joe Bozek
– Wind-up dry shaver used in World War II by Lawrence Essling, Lee Rippy
– Victorian wedding dress from Michigan City, c. 1898, Georgiana Poteet
– 1956 telephone directory, Carborundum filing strips used by Rumely Co., Nelson Blengeri
– Kuhn Ice & Coal Co. ice pick, lifeguard horn c. 1940, both from Michigan City, Gretchen Bergan
– Oil painting by Alvin Schwinkendorf c. 1950, trombone from Roxy Music, Mitchell Chevrolet clipboard from 1950, Michael W. Keyworth
– LaPorte Slicer license plate from 1982, photos of opening of Martin Oil Service Co. from 1989, Morris Hope
– Truck fire bell from Fire Station 1, Vicky Gauger for the Swanson Center
– Aprons, sugar & creamer, hankies, toddler boys outfit (1950), ladies’ collars, Elizabeth Gautier
– Mink pillbox hat from 1960s, June Reeves
– LaPorte Little Theatre memorabilia, Bonnie Quigley
– Elstonian yearbook, Susan Wolf
– Archival information, Doug Strieter, Michael Keyworth, Ron Harder, Jean Chlupacek
– Items for sale table, Doug Strieter, Michael Keyworth, Thomas J. Lay for Jack Lay, Jean Chlupacek, Fran Mellenthin
Looking for a place to volunteer? Come in and fill out an application. Ask for Susie. Call 219.324.6767 for more information.
Learn more about the LaPorte County Historical Society Museum and its collection at www.laportecountyhistory.org.
Submitted by Susie Richter, curator