Among items donated to the museum in February were a LaPorte Police millennium badge and patches, Shirley Temple glassware, and a LaPorte souvenir creamer and sugar set. (CLICK TO ENLARGE)
In preparation for an upcoming display and an adult prom event, the LaPorte County Historical Society Museum continues to seek donations of dresses, photographs and related memorabilia from LaPorte County proms of the past. Copies of photos can be made at the museum. Call the museum at 324-6767 for more information.
Visitors registering at the museum during February 2010 totaled 365, coming from 12 Indiana counties and six states. Programs offered to the public included Night at the Museum for kids and a presentation by Fern Eddy Schultz for Black History Month.
Donations in February:
— Ice cream scoop inscribed “LaPorte Bank & Trust” on wooden handle, Karen Piper
— Early 1960s letter sweater from Elston High School, 1965 graduation cap tassel, 1963 scorecard from Beechwood Golf Club, Harry Gasparrett
— Uniform worn by John Barnhart III in World War II, two Red Cross caps worn by Evelyn Barnhart, Marge Barnhart
— 1946 ticket from LaPorte merchants for a drawing to win a new Nash, paper currency from Vietnam, Larry Long
— 1956 formal dress in royal blue velvet for a Winter Prom & Military Ball, made by donor’s mother, Joan MacLennan
— 1957-1963 Mill Creek School yearbooks, 1972-1979 Westville School yearbooks from the collection of Noel King, past principal of those schools, misc. school programs, Steven King
— China sugar bowl and creamer, blue and white with trim and lettering “Souvenir of LaPorte, Ind.” in gold, Donna Nelson
— Small tabletop ironing board for sleeves and collars, Harold Russell
— 1929 Sacred Heart School diploma, Jim Lefeber
— 1986 prom dress of pink satin, lace and pearls, worn by Beth (Shelby) West, 1957 & 1958 prom dance cards from Marilyn & Lynn Shelby, Marilyn Shelby
— Assorted archival items from LaPorte County schools, Daron Bruder
— Millennium badge from the LaPorte Police Department, 2 uniform shoulder patches, Chief of Police Terry Scherer
— Blue glass Shirley Temple cup and pitcher, belonged to Glenora Werner Pratt, Elizabeth Gautier
— 1970 prom dress worn by the donor and made by her mother, Susan L. Richter
— Photograph of LaPorte Central Fire Station No. 1, Mary Jane Novak
— Piano stool from the home of Admiral Ingersoll on Indiana Avenue, given to donor’s daughter by the admiral, Mary Tobar
— “N” gauge tank car for museum train layout, Ben Rison
— Recently published book of antique Wanatah postcards, Wanatah Historical Society
— Donated service work, Kliss Enterprises Inc.
— Books and magazines for the sale table, Jean Bauer, Joyce Cook and Eldon Waldschmidt.
Submitted by James Rodgers, curator
