Tuesday, March 30, 2021
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Serving Elkhart County and parts of Noble, LaGrange & Marshall Counties Know Your Neighbor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2➤ Speak Outs . . . . . . . . . . .6 & 7 Good Neighbor. . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Vol. 48 No. 51
Goshen (574) 534-2591
134 S. Main, Goshen, Indiana 46526
‘Making a Place’ completes three-part museum exhibit %\ 1,&+2/(77( &$5/621 6WDII :ULWHU Now that the Elkhart County Historical Museum in Bristol has reopened to the public, visitors are able to view the third and final installment in the permanent “Crossroads of Elkhart County” exhibit titled “Making a Place.” This portion of the three-part exhibit took about a year to develop and Patrick McGuire, curator of education, had a more difficult time choosing what to include and what to leave out since there is simply more written about this period in Elkhart County. Unlike the first two exhibits, which focused on the general area and region since the county did not yet exist, McGuire noted, “This is strictly an Elkhart County story.” This section begins with the railroads coming to Elkhart County, and the great influx of businesses and 5$,/52$'6 72 72'$< “ All three ”Crossroads of population they brought, and brings Elkhart County‘ exhibits can be found on the flrst ‡oor after it all the way up to today with a sec- entering. Pictured, from left, are museum staff members Julie tion on the recent pandemic. Parke, Patrick McGuire, Michelle Nash and Chloe Madison in “Like the others, we want to focus the latest and flnal section, excited to welcome the public back on the people,” McGuire emphasized. inside the Elkhart County Historical Museum. Photo by NichoWhile much of the exhibit shows a lette Carlson. variety of businesses and organizastarted. There is also a table with sheets of pations, such as the RV companies, Miles Laboratories, cabinets and band instru- per for each visitor to write down or draw a ments, the museum made sure to put a focus picture and share their own story on how they on the people associated with these businesses. have been affected by each event. Each of these Local farms, the county home, Tolson, commu- sheets will be saved so everyone can become a nity centers, social services organizations and part of the county’s history. With these stations, McGuire “hopes it’s a the Amish are also represented. Some of the topics included in “Making a gateway for collaboration” so each individual Place” are difficult, including controversy and and group can share their personal views. He racism. However, McGuire mentioned they also hopes these questions help to spark difteamed up with professionals in the field to ficult conversations with others and children ensure everyone’s stories are being told appro- to open up broader conversation topics in the priately and from the proper perspective. For community as a whole. some groups it may be the first time they are Julie Parke, museum director, is grateful to seeing themselves represented in local history draw on oral stories but also wants to encourand, for the museum, it’s important to share “a age people to share their stories from their more complete story of history.” perspectives. She also enjoys the exhibit and One unique portion of this exhibit is three conversation stations are perfect for all ages. conversation stations, which will have ro- She is excited to create new opportunities tating topics. The current topics include within the museum and start those conversathe urban-rural divide, race and eth- tions again in person with both the public and nicity and COVID-19. These stations collaborators. house various information and Interactive portions for each of the exhibits newspaper clippings on how will return once it is safe to do so. All three each topic affected Elkhart of the “Crossroads of Elkhart County” exhibits County as well as a few can be found on the first floor. questions to get a The museum is open to the public from 9 c o n v e r s a t i o n a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
67$57,1* &219(56$7,216 “ Patrick McGuire, curator of education, stands next to the racism and ethnicity conversation station in the ”Crossroads of Elkhart County: Making a Place‘ exhibit. This is the third and flnal section covering when the railroads came to Elkhart County up to today. Photo by Nicholette Carlson.