The genre of photography known as cartes de visite grew in popularity in the second half of the 19th century and offered consumers a relatively cheap way to obtain portraits of loved ones or famous figures. These circa 1869-1874 cartes de visite—an early form of postcards—were assembled by Rose Howe into a souvenir album of her family’s trip abroad in Europe, displaying notable landmarks and locals in traditional garb.

Why do museums continue to collect objects? It’s an interesting question, especially in an age when information is instantly available. The PoCo Muse believes objects tell important stories, and engaging with them can lead to surprising discoveries. A museum’s job is to help make these connections.

The PoCo Muse Collection boasts an eclectic assortment of artwork and artifacts gathered over our 106 years of preserving Porter County history and culture. Like all museum collections, it is actively growing and changing. With every new object added, the collection continues to evolve. We sometimes have to step back and consider the entirety as if from 10,000 feet above; only then can we see how it all fits together.

Over the past year, as the PoCo Muse made preparations to create a suitable, climate-controlled environment for our growing collection, we had to work intimately with the thousands of objects entrusted to our care. Our perspective changed. Rather than stepping back, we took a closer look. We started to find that objects shared rather unexpected similarities with each other. In short: we started making connections.

On November 10, we present our discoveries with a new exhibition, aptly named Connections. Gathered throughout 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 an important relationship. The exchanges cover a wide range of subjects, from industry to sports to space travel, and reflect similarities of form, function, and context. As you join their conversations, we hope you consider the ways these objects connect with those you encounter in your own daily life.