Among June donations to the museum was this beautiful "crazy quilt" made by LaPortean Effie Orr in 1913. It was donated by George Clark. (Click photo to enlarge)

   Visitors registering at the LaPorte County Historical Society Museum during the month of June 2010 totaled a whopping 953, coming from 15 Indiana counties, 23 states, Canada, France, and South Africa. Groups touring the museum included 62 adults on the Freedom Road Rally classic car tour. The featured event was the Civil War Weekend at the end of the month.

Donations

   — Antique embossed scissors, mechanical pencil, Hoosier Ice & Coal Co. ice pick, belonged to Kenneth Smiskey of Michigan City, Lori Smiskey;

   — “Indiana at War” commemorative poster, World War II rationing poster, Harley Caddy;

   — Crazy quilt made by Effie Orr in 1913, includes printed silk political ribbons, velvets, and elaborate embroidery, biographical sketch of General Joseph Orr, George Clark;

   — Book “Ross Crane Guide and Stylist” including color illustrations of home decoration schemes by LaPorte artist Ross Crane, who owned and lived at “Crane’s Nest” near Pine Lake Cemetery in the 1920s, assorted photographs of same, Beth Boardman;

   — Vintage electric food mixer “Mix-a-beater,” Suzanne Miller;

   — Several early 1940s dresses, including a floorlength yellow formal, cream-colored two piece with belt, and others which belonged to Ruth Munning Novak of Michigan City, donated by her daughter, Val Eilers;

   — 1960s election voting machine, Audrey Hagenow;

   — Advertising fan from Dr. Ethelred Curtis for his location at 809 Indiana Avenue, Jane Goad;

   — Assorted items used by LaPorte kindergarten teacher Neva Wendt in her 48 years of teaching. Wendt made a substantial financial contribution to LaPorte Community Schools to launch full-day kindergarten, LaPorte Community Schools;

   — Collection of “Buildings of LaPorte” and “Prancer” Christmas ornaments, Eileen Joschko;

   — Set of miniature liquor bottles, shirt advertising Darst Harley-Davidson of LaPorte, with photographs of “Hap” Darst on his vintage motorcycle, Barry Reed;

   — Set of McGuffey’s Readers reprints, LaPorte County Public Library;

   — Man’s double-breasted jackets, tuxedo jacket, Bruce Johnson;

   — Architectural plan books published by local builders, Ted Keller;

   — Archival information and photographs, Gertrude Fritzen;

   — Firewood and straw for the Civil War Re-enactment, Dale Ribordy, Mike Kelley;

   — Books and magazines for the sale table, Kimberly Hansen, Isabel Stassen, Bob and Jean Miller, Amanda Coleman, Karen Piper, Michele Barber, and Sue Harmon.

Submitted by museum Curator James Rodgers