Westchester Museum to mark 10 year anniversary

Area residents are invited to help Westchester Township History Museum celebrate its own history on Saturday, May 17, from 2 – 4 p.m. Museum curator Jane Walsh-Brown and museum staff and volunteers will host an afternoon of fun-filled activities in recognition of the museum’s tenth anniversary.

The museum, which is an educational service of Westchester Public Library, is located in the Brown Mansion, 700 W. Porter Ave., Chesterton. It is open free of charge to the public Wednesday – Sunday, 1 – 5 p.m. and by appointment.

Visitors to the free event will have their choice of a wide variety of activities.

In recognition of the museum’s contributions to local history research, adults and children five and over will have the opportunity to win prizes by playing five different local history games. House tours of the museum will for the first time include a visit to the basement of the Brown Mansion. The museum store will hold a birthday sale of 10 percent off all items, with a few items at an additional discount.

A new exhibit, entitled “Much More than a Museum”, will trace the history of the museum from Westchester Public Library’s early folk festival years, to its founding of the museum in 1996, the museum’s opening day on May 28, 1998, and on to the museum’s present location in the Brown Mansion. The popular “Day in the Life of Westchester Township” photo exhibit will also be on display as will “New and Noteworthy: Recent Donations to the Museum,” an exhibit honoring all those who have donated to the museum during its first ten years.

Those who attend will be invited to sign the museum’s birthday card and to enjoy a piece of its birthday cake. Everyone who attends will receive a small remembrance of the celebration.

For more information call the museum at 219-983-9715.

Posted 5/13/2008