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We are currently closed to the public for an exhibit changeover, but we will reopen with two new exhibits on Saturday, May 16, at 11am. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
New Exhibits Open on May 16We are currently closed to the public for an exhibit changeover, but we will reopen with two new exhibits on Saturday, May 16, at 11am. The annual Porter County Fair is the oldest and largest event we have here; it’s so familiar that it is sometimes taken for granted. Since the first fair in 1851, the institution has weathered its fair share of storms to cultivate an environment where families can come and grow together. Its long-standing traditions have been hard-won and dearly-held, carefully passed down from generation to generation. Our newest featured exhibit, Our Heart of Hearts: The Porter County Fair, reveals a remarkable story that spans 175 years. It is told largely through the snapshots and oral histories of some of the fair’s most dedicated caretakers. For over ten years, local photographer Aimee Tomasek has been taking portraits of “4-H’ers” at the Porter County Fair. Tomasek is an art professor at Valparaiso University, director on the Fair Board, and a former ten-year 4-H member.
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P.S.- Don’t forget to stop by Hebron’s Stagecoach Inn & Panhandle Depot for a visit on Saturdays between 10am-2pm. Mikayla Tucker presents on Saturday, May 2, at 11am, and Ian Baker will be showcasing items from his personal WWII collection on Saturday, May 9.
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Saturday Hours at Hebron’s Stagecoach Inn & Panhandle DepotSaturdays from 10am-2pm 127 N Main Street, Hebron, IN Free and open to the public |
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Mikayla Tucker Presents: Preserving the Stagecoach InnSaturday, May 2, at 11am 127 N Main Street, Hebron, IN No RSVP Required |
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WWII History Pop-Up with Ian BakerSaturday, May 9, 10am-2pm 127 N Main Street, Hebron, IN No RSVP Required |
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Guided Museum Tour with Quinn AlbertSaturday, May 16, 11am PoCo Muse, 20 Indiana Avenue, Valparaiso, IN No RSVP Required |
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V.I.P. Reception for Our Heart of Hearts: The Porter County FairThursday, May 21, 4-6p PoCo Muse, 20 Indiana Avenue, Valparaiso, IN Only for Donors & Special Guests |
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PoCo Button Day 2026Saturday, May 30, 11am-5p PoCo Muse, 20 Indiana Avenue, Valparaiso, IN Free and open to the public |
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Our Heart of Hearts: The Porter County FairOpening May 16, 2026The annual Porter County Fair is the oldest and largest event we have here; it’s so familiar that it is sometimes taken for granted. Since the first fair in 1851, the institution has weathered its fair share of storms to cultivate an environment where families can come and grow together. Its long-standing traditions have been hard-won and dearly-held, carefully passed down from generation to generation. This exhibit reveals a remarkable story that spans 175 years. It is told largely through the snapshots and oral histories of some of the fair’s most dedicated caretakers. Eunice Slagle & Montague/Urschel Galleries |
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I won a blue ribbon at the county fair: 4-H Portraits by Aimee TomasekOpening May 16, 2026For over ten years, local photographer Aimee Tomasek has been taking portraits of “4-H’ers” at the Porter County Fair. Tomasek is an art professor at Valparaiso University, director on the Fair Board, and a former ten-year 4-H member. Robert Cain Gallery |
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Lowenstine WWII Roll of HonorThe 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. |
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Muse News: April through June 2026Stay 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. 11The digital version PoCo Muse Magazine is free to read for everyone. This issue features topics from our exhibit, "From a Bailly Point of View," giving particular attention to the county’s thriving Swedish immigrant community in the late nineteenth century. Looking Back: May 1926Each 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 & HistoryThe 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.
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