Musings • October 2024

New Exhibit! Opening October 18

The V&N: Porter County’s Electric Interurban Rail Line

Montague/Urschel Gallery

The Valparaiso and Northern Railway (V&N) was an electric interurban train line in Porter County that began service in 1910. Originally intended as a feeder line to the ambitious cross-country Chicago-New York Electric Air Line Railroad, the V&N connected Valparaiso to Chesterton by way of the lake resorts between them.

While the promise of the Air Line was never realized, the V&N was initially quite successful, connecting vacationers to the booming resort communities of Flint and Long Lakes. Ultimately, as more automobiles populated the improving and expansive highway system and the nation faced an economic depression, the V&N interurban ceased service in 1938.

P. S. — Don't miss our final complimentary guided tour of Against the Grain on Saturday, October 5, at 2p, before it closes forever on Sunday, October 6, at 5p.

View This Quarter’s Newsletter

WHAT TO DO

Adams Cemetery Tour

Saturday, October 5, 2-3p

Adams Cemetery, 150 E. 250 S.

Valparaiso, IN 46383

Public Exhibit Opening: The V&N

Friday, October 18, 11a-6p

PoCo Muse, 20 Indiana Avenue

History & Architecture Tour

Saturday, October 19, 2-3:30p

PoCo Muse, 20 Indiana Avenue

Update: As of October 2, this tour is sold out.

Complimentary Guided Museum Tour

Saturdays at 2p

PoCo Muse, 20 Indiana Avenue

No RSVP Required

Family Activity Sundays

Sundays from 11a-4p

PoCo Muse, 20 Indiana Avenue

Try our newest activity for the Building Memory exhibit!

WHAT TO SEE

The V&N: Porter County’s Electric Interurban Rail Line

Opens October 18

The Valparaiso and Northern Railway (V&N) was an electric interurban train line in Porter County that operated from 1910 to 1938, connecting Valparaiso to Chesterton by way of area lake resorts.

Montague/Urschel Gallery

Building Memory: Artistic Interpretations of Notable Landmarks

Through December 1

Artists in our region have been inspired to memorialize the pride of this county’s communities. One way they do so is by celebrating the diversity of architecture. Buildings tell a story, and through them, artists can capture with precision a specific moment in history or imaginatively reflect on shared values.

Robert Cain Gallery

Connections: Permanent Collection

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

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: October through December 2024

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

PoCo Muse Magazine: Issue No. 8

The digital version PoCo Muse Magazine is free to read for everyone. This issue highlights the stories of three Porter County heroes and pioneers.

Looking Back: October 1924

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.

At the Intersection of Art & History

The 25-minute video slideshow called "At the Intersection of Art & History" presents highlights from our permanent art collection and spotlights a few common themes found in the artworks.

An interurban train car of the Valparaiso & Northern (V&N) Railway near the Wauhob Lake stop, undated; Adams Cemetery, 150 E. 250 S., Valparaiso, IN 46383; interior view of Gary & Valparaiso train car, circa 1917; Illustrated Historical Atlas of Indiana. Chicago, Illinois: Baskin, Forster and Company. 462 p.; “PoCo Mouse” directs passengers on the PoCo Express, created by Ashley Vernon in 2024; a circa 1920 postcard depicting the Bondy Block at the northwest corner of Lincolnway and Franklin Street; “Sheriff’s Residence and Jail,” by Kim Johnson Belange. Watercolor on paper, circa 1990s; a pairing of a WWI canteen and package crackers from NASA training featured in Connections, 2023; installation view of Lowenstine WWII Roll of Honor, 2023.