Top: LaPorte County Historical Museum intern Lisa Hensell moves a vintage Washington Park Zoo monkey crate to a new permanent display about the zoo at the museum. Bottom: An old photo shows the same kind of crate being used to transfer monkeys to Monkey Island at the zoo. (CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)
The next best thing to visiting Michigan City’s Washington Park Zoo is to visit the LaPorte County Historical Society Museum on Saturday, Aug. 24, for a Family Fun Day and see the new permanent exhibit about the zoo! The fun begins at 1 p.m. — but starting at 12:30 p.m., a special Family Fun Day admission will welcome entire families for both the outdoor and indoor attractions for only $5 per carload!
The zoo is 85 years old this year and the historical society is joining in the celebration! Outdoor activities on the museum grounds during Family Fun Day include a petting zoo, face painting, a duck game, sidewalk chalk and hopscotch, a Hula-Hoop contest with prizes, and more!
Inside the museum, Fannie May will have a chocolate dipping station and ice cream for sale and show a video on the history of chocolate. Also inside, visit the new Washington Park Zoo display! Included is a painting by Ana, a Hamadryads baboon who started painting in 2006; an original crate used to transfer monkeys to Monkey Island, and other interesting memorabilia. Thanks to summer intern Lisa Hensell for all her hard work!
Among the fascinating displays in the museum, you can visit the summer wedding feature, “With This Ring …”.
The LaPorte County Historical Society Museum is located at 2405 Indiana Ave. in LaPorte and is open Tuesday–Saturday, 10–4:30. Admission is just a few dollars. For more information, call 219-324-6767 and visit www.laportecountyhistory.org. The facility is accessible to those with disabilities.