Musings • March 2025

Don’t Miss These Two Porter County History Programs

History on Tap: Rise and Fall of the Interurban

Wednesday, March 5, from 5-7p

Talk local history over a drink with friends, history professionals, and amateur historians at the Washington Street Tap Room between 5-7p on Wednesday, March 5. Kevin will give a short talk about The V&N: Porter County’s Electric Rail Line exhibit at 6p.

Free event for 21 and older; drinks not included.

Things You Might Not Know About the Courthouse

Thursday, March 27, from 1-2p

What do you know about the iconic Porter County Courthouse? Join Kevin for a fun and informative presentation about the history of the courthouse at Pines Village Retirement Communities on Thursday, March 27, at 1p.

This presentation is free and open to the general public. A video recording of the program will be shared online at a later date.

We have two questions for you about our guided tours.

Your honest answers will help us develop a better program for our visitors.

Take the Survey Now

WHAT TO DO

History on Tap: Rise and Fall of the Interurban

Wednesday, March 5, from 5-7p

Washington Street Tap Room

11 N Washington St, Valparaiso, IN

Things You Might Not Know About the Courthouse

Thursday, March 27, from 1-2p

Pines Village Retirement Communities

3303 Pines Village Cir, Valparaiso, IN

Complimentary Guided Museum Tour Series

Saturdays at 2p

PoCo Muse, 20 Indiana Avenue

No RSVP Required

New Museum Buttons

Sundays from 11a-5p

PoCo Muse, 20 Indiana Avenue

Pick up one of our new buttons, including this one of Poco Mouse.

VIEW THE CURRENT ISSUE OF MUSE NEWS

WHAT TO SEE

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

Closes April 19

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

PoCo Pets: Part of the Family

Closes April 19

Pets are members of the family, and we love them. It's been no different during the last century in Porter County. This small exhibit brings Porter County's beloved animal companions into the foreground.

Robert Cain Gallery

Connections: Take a Closer Look

Closes April 19

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: January through March 2025

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 celebrates the work of two couples who moved from Chicago to Porter County where they found lifelong artistic inspiration in the dunes.

Looking Back: March 1925

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.

Aerial photograph of downtown Valparaiso by the Observation Squadron of the U.S. Air Corps, circa 1935; a streetcar of the Valparaiso & Northern turns the corner at the junction of Calumet Avenue and Franklin Street, circa 1910s, courtesy of Steve Shook; a rare glimpse from the aftermath of the December 1934 courthouse fire; an illustration created by Ashley Vernon in 2023 features PoCo Mouse dressed for St. Patrick’s Day; a builder’s photo of Car 1 of the Gary & Valparaiso Railway, 1924; a graphic created from a circa 1910 “real photo” postcard of “Mrs. Crumpacker and Daisy,” 2017.2.56; a cartes-de-visite souvenir album, circa 1869-1874, Albert Photographic, 2022; a detail of the Lowenstine WWII Roll of Honor on display in the PoCo Muse, 2023.