To augment the “Indiana Disasters” traveling exhibit, La Porte County Historian Fern Eddy Schultz has created an exhibit focusing on “La Porte County Disasters.” Included in it are photos of past LaPorte lake flooding, such as this one showing Lakeside Street in 1983. (Photo provided; click to enlarge)
The Indiana Historical Society Traveling Exhibit “Indiana Disasters” is taking up residence at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in February. Augmenting it is the museum’s own exhibit, “La Porte County Disasters,” put together by County Historian Fern Eddy Schultz.
Natural disasters such as floods, tornadoes, blizzards, and drought — as well as man-made catastrophes such as fires, crashes, spills and explosions — have all contributed in shaping our history, locally and statewide. From epidemics to squirrel migrations (yes, squirrel migrations), they’re all seared in the memories of those who experienced them.
In the state traveling exhibit (funded by Kroger), photographs from various IHS collections and institutions all over the state capture unforgettable Indiana catastrophes while newspaper headlines, illustrations and survivor accounts show how Hoosiers persevered.
In conjunction with the state exhibit, Fern Eddy Schultz, La Porte County Historian, will present a display of “La Porte County Disasters” including fires, crimes, flooding, tornadoes/twisters, train wrecks, and snow. Each category displayed will include only a few of the severe occurrences that have struck the county but will give the viewer a general idea of the happenings in each from early years to current times.
The La Porte County Historical Society Museum is located at 2405 Indiana Ave. at the south entrance to La Porte. Museum hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The museum building is handicapped accessible.
For admission information, visit www.laportecountyhistory.org or call (219) 324-6767. For more information about the Indiana Historical Society, visit www.indianahistory.org.