Musings • September 2023

All Things Popcorn

September means popcorn in downtown Valparaiso. In anticipation for the 44th Annual Valparaiso Popcorn Festival on Saturday, September 9, we are pulling some popcorn-related stories from the vault.

Beginning Thursday, September 7, stop by the PoCo Muse to see new objects displayed in Connections, including an assortment of items related to the Orville Redenbacher, Charlie Bowman, and the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival.
You are invited to talk local history over a drink during our History Happy Hour on Wednesday, September 6, from 5-7p at Washington Street Tap Room in Valparaiso. Porter County Historian Kevin Pazour will give a brief talk at 6p about the history of Valparaiso’s first Popcorn Festival, followed by a general Q&A session about Porter County history.
Collection Assistant Kaelie Eberhart, who ended her on-site tenure at the PoCo Muse on August 24, left us with one more article in the upcoming issue of PoCo Muse Magazine. Our new “Top 5” feature highlights Kaelie’s favorite objects in our collection, including Orville Redenbacher’s Popcorn Book. Look for the digital version of the magazine to arrive via email and at pocomuse.org on Tuesday, September 5.

WHAT TO DO

History Happy Hour

Wednesday, September 6, from 5-7p

Washington Street Tap Room, 11 Washington St, Valparaiso, IN 46383

Donor Tour of Ever Yours

Saturday, September 16, at 10a

This tour is only for PoCo Muse donors. An RSVP is required. Call (219) 510.1836 or email info@pocomuse.org or call to reserve your spot.

PoCo Muse in Duneland

Thursday, September 21, at 1p

Hawthorne Park Community Center, 500 Ackerman Drive, Porter, IN 46304

WHAT TO SEE

Ever Yours: Postcards from the Golden Age Closes December 2023

View hundreds of postcards from our extensive collection of postcards from the Golden Age (1907-1915). Learn what these beautiful and accessible historical documents teach us about social fascinations of a distant past and how we communicate with each other today.

Montague/Urschel Gallery

Connections: New Objects on Display

Take a closer look. Gathered throughout the PoCo Muse are pairs of objects that speak to each other in surprising ways. The objects may appear different at first glance, but after closer consideration, they may reveal important relationships.

Eunice Slagle Gallery

Porter County Art: Permanent Collection

See a rotating selection of artworks by local artists from our permanent collection.

Robert Cain Gallery

Lowenstine WWII Roll of Honor

The Lowenstine WWII Roll of Honor was displayed on the courthouse square from 1943 until 1973 in commemoration of the Valparaiso citizens who contributed to the war effort during World War II. It was installed in the PoCo Muse in December 2022.

MORE TO EXPLORE

Muse News: July through September 2023

Stay up-to-date with all that’s happening at the PoCo Muse by checking out our most recent newsletter, Muse News.

Postcard Highlights from Ever Yours

Ever Yours features hundreds of Golden Age (1907-1915) postcards from our collection. We’ll continue sharing notable selections on Facebook and Instagram. Come for the beautiful images; stick around for the transcribed messages on the back.

Looking Back: September 1923

Each day on social media, the PoCo Muse looks back by featuring century-old historical excerpts selected from the Evening Messenger and Valparaiso Daily Vidette newspapers.

Popcorn Festival bow tie, circa 1980, Albert Photographic, 2023; Balloon from inaugural Popcorn Festival, 1979; “View at Flint Lake, Valparaiso, Ind.,” postmarked 1909; “Public School, Porter, Indiana,” postmarked 1908; “Memorial Opera House, Valparaiso, Ind.,” postmarked 1910; Orville Redenbacher “Commander” hat, circa 1980s; Lester Chaney (1907-1998), Dunes Shore at Baillytown, 1967, oil on canvas board; Installation view of Lowenstine WWII Roll of Honor, Albert Photographic, 2022.