Museum Events and Public Programs

Monthly programs, special events and programs are scheduled at the museum throughout the year.  All events are located at the museum and are free of charge unless otherwise designated.  Pick up a seasonal event calendar at the museum or either branch of Westchester Public Library, or check the library’s website under Schedule of Events - Westchester Township History Museum for current offerings.

The Westchester Township History Museum, a free educational service of Westchester Public Library, is located at 700 W. Porter Ave. and is open 1 – 5 p.m., Wednesday – Sunday for tours, exhibits, and the museum store. Help with historical research is available Wednesday – Friday, 1 – 5 p.m. or by appointment. Groups of 10 or more are asked to make a reservation by calling 219- 983-9715. Website: http://www.wpl.lib.in.us/museum. Email: museum@wpl.lib.in.us.

Westchester Township History Museum presents…….

Coming Events at the Museum
January – February, 2010

All programs are free of charge and will take place at the museum unless noted with “++.”

The Westchester Township History Museum, a free educational service of Westchester Public Library, is located at 700 W. Porter Ave. and is open 1 – 5 p.m., Wednesday – Sunday for tours, exhibits, and the museum store. Help with historical research is available Wednesday – Friday, 1 – 5 p.m. or by appointment. Groups of 10 or more are asked to make a reservation by calling 219- 983-9715. Website: http://www.wpl.lib.in.us/museum. Email: museum@wpl.lib.in.us.

Temporary Exhibits

Threads of Time: Historic Textiles at the Museum – Opens February 20
Vintage Christmas Ornaments and Feather Trees - through January 17
A Baillytown Swedish Christmas – through January 17
Charles Dickens Village - through January 17

Facebook
Check out our new Facebook pages for news of upcoming events and photos of past events. Go to our website www.wpl.lib.in.us/museum and click the Facebook button.

Weather Alert
With the arrival of winter weather we want to remind museum visitors to call ahead (983-9715) if the weather is threatening, as the museum may close if the weather presents a driving hazard.

The Museum’s Radio Show
Tune in each month during the school year to hear museum curator Jane Walsh-Brown’s Historically Speaking, a radio program broadcast on WDSO (88.3 FM), the Duneland School Corporation’s radio station. The show features news of upcoming Museum events and discussions of a variety of local history topics. Check the WDSO website, http://wdso.org, or the Chesterton Tribune for the show’s current schedules, topics, and guests.

January

Knitting Together, Sunday, January 10, 1 – 5 p.m.
Area knitters are invited to gather in the Brown Mansion parlor for a cozy afternoon of knitting, conversation, and refreshments. Those who crochet or do needlework are also most welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served.

Mad About Mysteries: Historical Mysteries, Wednesday, January 13, 2 p.m.
The mystery lovers’ series continues with a look at the mystery sub-genre that blends history and mystery. Jane Walsh-Brown will trace the development of historical mysteries made popular by such authors as Anne Perry and Kathy Lynn Emerson and discuss some of her favorite authors. Refreshments will be served.

Mad About Mysteries: Historical Mysteries, Saturday, January 16, 2 p.m.
A repeat of the program presented on January 13.

Bookmarks at the Museum, Nothing to Fear: FDR’s Inner Circle and the Hundred Days That Created Modern America, Thursday, January 21, 2 p.m.
Adam Cohen focuses on FDR’s five closest aides to provide a new and interesting perspective on FDR’s famous first Hundred Days as president. Reviewed by Buzz Berg. Refreshments will be served.

February

Knitting Together, Sunday, February 7, 1 – 5 p.m.
Area knitters are invited to gather in the Brown Mansion parlor for a cozy afternoon of knitting, conversation, and refreshments. Those who crochet or do needlework are also most welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served.

Mad About Mysteries: The Wacky World of Nero Wolfe, Wednesday, February 10, 2 p.m.
Eva Hopkins will introduce author Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe, a cranky and sedentary gourmet/detective who, with the help of his assistant Archie Goodwin, is amazingly good at bringing down a wide variety of murderers, blackmailers, wartime traitors and more. Refreshments will be served.

Mad About Mysteries: The Wacky World of Nero Wolfe, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2 p.m.
A repeat of the program presented February 10.

Words of Love: Poetry and Prose for Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14, 2 p.m.
Join us for an afternoon of romantic, funny, and heartfelt poetry, prose and correspondence from some of the world’s greatest poets and writers. Suzanne and Glen Keldsen will celebrate the joys and woes of romance in a program in celebration of Valentine’s Day, followed by refreshments and a Valentine workshop.

Threads of Time: Historic Textiles at the Museum Opening Reception, Sunday, February 21, 1-5 p.m.
Join curator Jane Walsh-Brown for a tour of the new temporary exhibit celebrating a wide variety of textiles from mid 19th century Jaquard coverlets, to a rare 1933 Century of Progress World’s Fair pictorial rug. Refreshments will be served.

Bookmarks at the Museum, The Prodigal Wife, Thursday, February 18, 2 p.m. British novelist Marcia Willet’s latest book is set in Devon, on the west coast of England. Family relationships are strained when a grown son is reunited with the mother who abandoned him as a child. Deservedly compared to Rosamunde Pilcher and Maeve Binchy, Willett is an equally gifted storyteller. Reviewed by LuAnne DePriest. Refreshments served.

Continuing Programming

Appraisal Luncheon

Luncheon guests each bring a collectible or antique to this annual fundraiser. Certified appraiser Karl Gates gives the social and cultural history of each item as well as an estimate of its value.  Lunch is included.  The event takes at the Westchester Public Library Service Center, 100 W. Indiana Avenue,  Chesterton.  Tickets go on sale in January and are available at the museum.  All proceeds benefit the museum.

Bookmarks at the Museum

Current best-sellers are reviewed on the third Thursday of each month.  It is not necessary to read the book in advance.  Coffee, tea and cookies are served.

Collector’s Showcase

Collections are fun and interesting for both the collector and the audience in this series offered by the museum. 

Collectors are invited to share:

-   How they started collecting

-   How they acquire items for their collection

-   How they organize, store and preserve their collection

-   How they exhibit their collection at home

-   Favorite items from their collection with the audience

Collectors interested in sharing their collections with the public are invited to call the museum and speak with curator Jane Walsh-Brown.   Refreshments provided.

Gallery Demonstrations

This informal series highlights local artisans and their work.  Those who attend are given the opportunity to visit with the artisans, see them work, try their hand at the craft and view completed items which the artisans display.  Refreshments provided.

History Speaks

Re-enactors bring to life people from the past.  The museum has hosted people such as Teddy Roosevelt and Andrew Carnegie.

Indiana Birthday Party

Visitors gather to celebrate the anniversary of Indiana's statehood, December 11, 1816, with local history games and special Hoosier refreshments.

Knitting Together

This relaxing winter series invites area knitters to the museum for a cozy afternoon of knitting, chatting and refreshments.

Meet the Author

Area authors visit the museum to read from and discuss their recent publications.

Museum Tours

Free tours of the historic home and exhibit area are offered Wednesday – Sunday 1 – 5 p.m. or by appointment. Adult groups of ten or more are asked to make a reservation by contacting curator Jane Walsh Brown at 219-983-9715 or at janeswb@wpl.lib.in.us.

Radio Show

Tune into WDSO (88.3 FM) on the third Thursday of each month at 9:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. from September-May to hear Historically Speaking, Westchester Township History Museum’s radio program. Curator Jane Walsh-Brown and a different staff member or guest each month will talk about upcoming museum events and exhibits and share stories from the area’s history as well as insights into the inner workings of the museum.

Reading Indiana

This popular Indiana literature series celebrates Hoosier authors.  Local presenters share the life and work of classic Indiana writers.  Refreshments provided.

School/Scout Programs and Outreach

Museum staff offer numerous programs designed to help fulfill Indiana academic standards and fulfill a variety of Boy Scout and Girl Scout badge requirements.  Museum staff are happy to work with teachers and scout leaders to develop new programs that will benefit children.

Schedule tours for scouts, schools, and other children’s groups by contacting museum educator Tory Duhamell at 219-983-9715 or at tory@wpl.lib.in.us.Please note: Museum scouting programs are open only to Scouts living in the Duneland area.

Summer Camp

Students entering grades four and five participate in the museum’s annual summer history camp.  Whether it is a behind the scenes look at how a museum operates or a week of experiencing pioneer life, students have fun learning about the history of the area.

Victorian Girl Tea Party

Girls in grades 3 and 4 enjoy an annual tea party.  Period games, tea etiquette and more are included in this enchanting program.

Victorian Christmas Party

Guests celebrate the season with an afternoon of Christmas music played on the museum’s historic Hillstrom organ and enjoy the festive decorations and seasonal exhibits.  Visitors may also make a holiday craft and sample seasonal refreshments.

The library gratefully acknowledges the support provided by the Friends of the Library for refreshments and funding other programming expenses.