Join the PoCo Muse as we host a community-based celebration of Dia de los Muertos. Decorate a sugar skull, learn how to assemble an Offrenda, enjoy live music and check out a pop-exhibit featuring student work. This family-friendly event is free to all who would like to participate. 

Únase al PoCo Muse para nuestra celebración comunitaria para el Día de los Muertos. Decora una calavera, aprende a hacer una ofrenda, disfruta música en vivo y echa un vistazo a una exposición-pop con arte estudiantil. Este evento familiar es gratuito para todos los que quieran participar.

Hosted by the Porter County Museum and the Valparaiso Human Relations Council.

Join PoCo Muse Executive Director Kevin Pazour for a guided walk through the oldest public cemetery in Valparaiso. Hear about the property's history along with stories of Porter County’s earliest residents who now reside in "Old City Cemetery." The tour will start at the gates of the Union Street Cemetery, located at 400 Union Street, Valparaiso.

There are only 40 available spots on this free tour, so reserve your place as soon as possible.

Questions about this guided tour? Email info@pocomuse.org for more information.

Learn a little bit about the award-winning PoCo Muse in a free thirty-minute highlights tour of the exhibits currently on display.

This tour will focus on Do Your Part! A County Responds to the First World War, We Are Porter County, From a Bailly Point of View, Prehistoric Porter County, and will end with a glimpse of open storage on the second floor presently closed to the general public.

Our highlights tour is free and open to the public, but reserving a ticket is required to attend as a limited number of spots are available.

A light-hearted and somewhat irreverent evening highlighting local history, live music, beer, and oddball artifacts for those 21 and older.

Check out the PoCo Muse on Thursday, August 8, between 6p and 10p for this fun-filled event, including live music, beer, and pop-ups from some of your favorite local businesses! 

$5 PRE-SALE / $10 DAY-OF /
$5 FOR MEMBERS

Whether you’re into history or it’s not really your thing, we’ve got you covered. We’re pulling out all of our funny photos and quirky artifacts to make this a memorable museum experience for you and your friends. Check out our social media between now and August 8 for more updates.

Up Late @ PoCo Muse is for participants who are 21 and older.

Are you interested in becoming a PoCo Muse volunteer? Enjoy a complimentary lunch with staff and volunteers while learning the latest museum news and the ins and outs of volunteering. August’s special training topic will be focused on how to handle incoming artifact donations.

Volunteer luncheons are held inside the Montague/Urschel Gallery at 20 Indiana Avenue, accessible through the door on the south facade.

Celebrate the 1940s and the official opening of the Slagle Members’ Lounge during the PoCo Muse Block Party. Enjoy a complimentary hot dog and other 40s-era treats on the front lawn of the PoCo Muse during this patriotic event.

Take a walk with Executive Director Kevin Pazour to hear stories about life on the courthouse square in 1949. The tour will start on the front lawn of the PoCo Muse, circle the courthouse square, and end at Valpo Velvet on Monroe Street.

$6 PRE-SALE / $10 DAY-OF /
FREE FOR MEMBERS (RSVP REQUIRED)

Each ticket comes with one complimentary bottle of water, a commemorative printed piece, and one scoop of Valpo Velvet ice cream. Members should email info@pocomuse.org to reserve a spot for this walking tour.

Meet other members and learn how to maximize your membership during a special talk followed by a thirty-minute tour. This orientation is open to all members, no matter how much history you have with the PoCo Muse!

Not a member or need to renew your support?

Let the PoCo Muse help preserve a piece of your own history! Visitors are invited to bring up to five historical or family photographs during our We Are Porter County Workshop series on the first Thursday of every month from 5/7p.

Come explore the Porter County Museum and browse historical newspapers and photographs normally not on display while Poco Muse staff digitize your images. Participants will leave with their original photographs, high-resolution digital copies, and a better understanding of how to preserve the past.

The PoCo Muse asks that participants who wish to scan photographs have either 1.) a physical hard drive, such as a thumb or flash drive, or 2.) access to a Google Drive, so staff can upload digital files.

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

The We Are Porter County Workshop Series provides additional public viewing hours while connecting the expertise of PoCo Muse staff with the citizens of Porter County. This series, which is free and open to the public, takes place on the first Thursday of every month (except July) between 5/7p inside the PoCo Muse.

Are you interested in becoming a PoCo Muse volunteer? Enjoy a complimentary lunch with staff and volunteers while learning the latest museum news and the ins and outs of volunteering. June’s special training topic will be disaster preparedness.

Volunteer luncheons are held inside the Montague/Urschel Gallery at 20 Indiana Avenue, accessible through the door on the south facade.

Get recruited to the Union Army! Honor Memorial Day by experiencing the 9th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment from the American Civil War. Re-enactors from Northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland area will portray men of the 9th Indiana and interact with the public on the front lawn of the PoCo Muse in a makeshift recruitment camp.

This event is free and open to the public. The PoCo Muse will also be open to visitors on Memorial Day between 10a and 2p.

Dig in with PoCo Muse staff and volunteers to plant a WWI-era garden on the museum's front lawn during this open house event. Find out how Porter County residents used community gardens to support war efforts during the First World War, and study vegetable gardening techniques used over a century ago.

Learn everything you need to plant your own historic variety vegetable at home. No gardening experience or tools required! Hands-On History Saturday is a free program series of the PoCo Muse and is open to the public without the need for an RSVP.

This project was made possible with help from the Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest.

It’s back!

The Historical Valparaiso Home Tour returns in 2019! Iconic homes in the residential neighborhoods surrounding the county seat tell a story of Valparaiso’s growth and development. Homes on the 2019 tour represent the life and culture of a vibrant community and display unique craftsmanship and beautiful architectural styles.

Presented by Re/Max Lifestyles

Learn about the architecture of the homes on the 2019 Historical Valparaiso Home Tour with local legend, Dick Brauer.

Enjoy a complimentary cup of hot or iced coffee and a delicious baked good from Fluid Coffeebar.

This series, which is free and open to the public, takes place on the second Thursday of every month inside the Montague/Urschel Gallery of the PoCo Muse, accessible through the door on the south façade of 20 Indiana Avenue in downtown Valparaiso.

Let the PoCo Muse help preserve a piece of your own history! Visitors are invited to bring up to five historical or family photographs during our We Are Porter County Workshop series on the first Thursday of every month from 5/7p.

Come explore the Porter County Museum and browse historical newspapers and photographs normally not on display while Poco Muse staff digitize your images. Participants will leave with their original photographs, high-resolution digital copies, and a better understanding of how to preserve the past.

The PoCo Muse asks that participants who wish to scan photographs have either 1.) a physical hard drive, such as a thumb or flash drive, or 2.) access to a Google Drive, so staff can upload digital files.

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

The We Are Porter County Workshop Series provides additional public viewing hours while connecting the expertise of PoCo Muse staff with the citizens of Porter County. This series, which is free and open to the public, takes place on the first Thursday of every month (except July) between 5/7p inside the PoCo Muse.

Celebrate National Library Week and learn the latest news from the Porter County Public Library System Director Jesse Butz!

Stop by for a dynamic program and enjoy a complimentary cup of hot or iced coffee and a delicious baked good from Fluid Coffeebar.

This series, which is free and open to the public, takes place on the second Thursday of every month Inside the Montague/Urschel Gallery of the PoCo Muse, accessible through the door on the south façade of 20 Indiana Avenue in downtown Valparaiso.

Let the PoCo Muse help preserve a piece of your own history! Visitors are invited to bring up to five historical or family photographs during our We Are Porter County Workshop series on the first Thursday of every month from 5/7p.

Come explore the Porter County Museum and browse historical newspapers and photographs normally not on display while Poco Muse staff digitize your images. Participants will leave with their original photographs, high-resolution digital copies, and a better understanding of how to preserve the past.

The PoCo Muse asks that participants who wish to scan photographs have either 1.) a physical hard drive, such as a thumb or flash drive, or 2.) access to a Google Drive, so staff can upload digital files.

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

The We Are Porter County Workshop Series provides additional public viewing hours while connecting the expertise of PoCo Muse staff with the citizens of Porter County. This series, which is free and open to the public, takes place on the first Thursday of every month (except July) between 5/7p inside the PoCo Muse.

Expo Director Lori Daly will lead a sneak preview tour of the Porter County Expo as it is in the final steps of a beautiful $3.2M renovation. Originally opened in April 1984, the Expo Center has solidified its place in Porter County history by hosting thousands of events and millions of visitors over the past 34 years.

This event is only for PoCo Muse members, but membership is open to anyone and everyone.

John Knauff will present on his book, “The Green and White – 100+ Years of Valpo Viking Basketball,” during the inaugural program of the new Muse in the Morning series inside the Montague/Urschel Gallery of the PoCo Muse.

Knauff has spent a lifetime following the varsity basketball program as a coach, announcer, and fan. Stop by for a terrific program and enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee and baked good from Fluid Coffee Bar.

This series, which is free and open to the public, takes place on the second Thursday of every month Inside the Montague/Urschel Gallery of the PoCo Muse, accessible through the door on the south façade of 20 Indiana Avenue in downtown Valparaiso.

Let the PoCo Muse help preserve a piece of your own history! Visitors are invited to bring up to five historical or family photographs during our We Are Porter County Workshop series on the first Thursday of every month from 5/7p.

Come explore the Porter County Museum and browse historical newspapers and photographs normally not on display while Poco Muse staff digitize your images. Participants will leave with their original photographs, high-resolution digital copies, and a better understanding of how to preserve the past.

The PoCo Muse asks that participants who wish to scan photographs have either 1.) a physical hard drive, such as a thumb or flash drive, or 2.) access to a Google Drive, so staff can upload digital files.

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

The We Are Porter County Workshop Series provides additional public viewing hours while connecting the expertise of PoCo Muse staff with the citizens of Porter County. This series, which is free and open to the public, takes place on the first Thursday of every month (except July) between 5/7p inside the PoCo Muse.

History After 5p Series

Enjoy a drink in the Montague/Urschel Gallery and reminisce about McGill Manufacturing. Participate in the discussion or simply listen to great stories.

One drink included with ticket. Free for former McGill employees.

Presidents’ Day Weekend Exclusive

Members, donors, and VIP guests are invited to attend this Sunday-afternoon open house at the PoCo Muse. A variety of special presidential artifacts will be on display for this event.

Get out of the house and visit the PoCo Muse on Friday, February 15, between 5/8p for special evening hours. See "Do Your Part! A County Responds to the First World War" and six other exhibits on display.

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Hands-on History

Stop by the PoCo Muse to test your scavenger hunt skills! How quickly can you complete the challenge? Stop by the front desk for your PoCo Muse Passport.

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Let the PoCo Muse help preserve a piece of your own history! Visitors are invited to bring up to five historical or family photographs during our We Are Porter County Workshop series on the first Thursday of every month from 5/7p.

Come explore the Porter County Museum and browse historical newspapers and photographs normally not on display while Poco Muse staff digitize your images. Participants will leave with their original photographs, high-resolution digital copies, and a better understanding of how to preserve the past.

The PoCo Muse asks that participants who wish to scan photographs have either 1.) a physical hard drive, such as a thumb or flash drive, or 2.) access to a Google Drive, so staff can upload digital files.

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Signature Series Event

Ever wonder what happens on the second floor of the former jail? Sign up for this special tour to see the normally off-limits area of the PoCo Muse and learn how artifacts are processed from start to finish.

RSVP required.

Stop by the PoCo Muse to warm up on Friday, January 18, between 5/8p for special evening hours. See "Do Your Part! A County Responds to the First World War" and the six other exhibits on display.

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Members-only Private Tour

Enjoy a private, in-depth look at the newest PoCo Muse featured exhibit, Do Your Part! A County Responds to the First World War. Hear stories about how the exhibit was developed and see other WWI artifacts in the collection.

This event is only for PoCo Muse members, but membership is open to anyone and everyone.

Presentation + Pop-up Gallery

Jan Tudor of Tudor Flooring will present a pop-up exhibit of historical flooring she has collected through the years. RSVP for a seat in the Montague/Urschel Gallery.

MEMBERS EVENT

Presented by the Friends of the PoCo Muse

Get into the spirit of the season at our annual Yuletide Party, presented by the Friends of the PoCo Muse! Enjoy festive music and delicious holiday treats as you mingle with PoCo Muse staff, volunteers, and other members.