Living history reenactor Tom Wojcinski portraying a 19th-century voyageur
Porter County Museum (PoCo Muse) will host historical reenactors portraying fur traders, commonly called voyageurs, who worked with Joseph Bailly, Porter County’s first non-native settler, in the early 1800s. The free event will be held Saturday, December 6, from 11am to 6pm. The interpreters appear in conjunction with the museum’s current featured exhibit, “From a Bailly Point of View.” Visitors are encouraged to ask questions during this interactive event.
Tom Wojcinski of Hammond will be at the museum for 11am to 4pm. He’ll be dressed in period clothing and will explain the work of the voyageurs through a variety of artifacts. “Joseph Bailly established himself as a prominent merchant in the Old Northwest Territory,” said Wojcinski. “Acting as a middleman, buying and stocking European manufactured goods in his many posts, including one along the Little Calumet River in Porter County, he exchanged these goods with the Native peoples for animal furs they harvested, which were then sold back to buyers in Europe. Bailly hired men to trade for him; they have become known as voyageurs.”
“One of the treasures of our collection of Bailly artifacts is an original ledger written by Joseph Bailly from 1799 to 1802,” said Executive Director Kevin Matthew Pazour. “In this account book—all of which is in French—Bailly recorded the goods that he purchased, the goods that he sold, and the furs or skins he received from his Native trading partners. We invite you to come see Joseph Bailly's ledger brought to life and view the items bought and sold at his trading post on June 6, 1799. See how these goods would have appeared when new and learn how the North American fur trade was an enormously important system of global commerce.”
“Historical interpreter Ian Baker of Michigan City, also dressed as a voyageur, will be available to answer questions during the museum’s Yuletide Open House from 3pm to 6pm that same day,” added Pazour. “It’s a great opportunity to add history and fun to your activities during the city’s Holly Days celebration. While you’re at the museum, have a look at the new acquisitions and artworks from our permanent collection now on display in the Robert Cain Gallery.”
Samples of goods that would have been available at Joseph Bailly's trading post
Porter County Museum, located at 20 Indiana Avenue in downtown Valparaiso, is open six days a week, Tuesday-Sunday, from 11am to 5pm, with free admission. Free half-hour guided tours are offered on the third Saturday of each month at 10am. For more information, visit pocomuse.org or find @pocomuse on social media.
