Musings • August 2024

Bringing Victorian-Era Trades to Life

Living History: Historical Trades

Saturday, August 17, from 10a to 2p

Mark your calendars for this interactive and family-friendly outdoor program!

Living history interpreters will bring a variety of historical trades to life on the southeast lawn of the Porter County Courthouse (across from the PoCo Muse).

At one time these professions were commonplace in society, found in almost every nineteenth-century community, but they are now seldom seen, some nearly forgotten.

This event is free and open to the public.

WHAT TO DO

Exhibit Opening: Views of Historical Landmarks in the Permanent Collection

Tuesday, August 27, 11a

Robert Cain Gallery

PoCo Muse, 20 Indiana Avenue

Late Afternoon Museum Tour

Thursdays, 5p

Through August 29

PoCo Muse, 20 Indiana Avenue

Extended Evening Hours

Thursdays, Open 11a-6p

May 30 through August 29

PoCo Muse, 20 Indiana Avenue

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

New Activities Each Week!

History On Tap: 1980 Popcorn Festival

Wednesday, September 4, 50

Washington Street Tap Room, 11 Washington Street

WHAT TO SEE

Against the Grain

Through October 6

Against the Grain brings together objects in the collection made from wood. This featured exhibit explores the wide-ranging dimensions of working with the material and surveys the themes that emerge as artists and craftspeople grapple with its possibilities.

Montague/Urschel Gallery

The Drama of the Dunes

Through August 25

The Indiana Dunes have long invited artists to express their passion for the natural world. This exhibit presents of selection of works by regional artists inspired by the Dunes.

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: July through September 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. 7

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: August 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.

Two living history interpreters demonstrate historical trades during our August 2023 Living History program; “Memorial Opera House,” by Susan Connors, acrylic on canvas, undated; detail of etched initials in school desk from the late nineteenth-century, Albert Photographic, 2024; an Olympian PoCo Mouse, created by Ashley Vernon in 2024; throngs of people view the 1980 Popcorn Festival parade at Lincolnway and Washington Street in Valparaiso; an oak butter paddle belonging to Mary Ann Ramsey DeCrow (1835-1879); “Think Fast! (In the Dunes),” by Corey Hagelberg (b. 1983), hand-printed woodcut on mulberry paper, 2016; Orville Redenbacher “Commander” hat, circa 1980s; installation view of Lowenstine WWII Roll of Honor, 2023.