Explore Nappanee History

While visiting Nappanee, be sure to add the Evelyn Lehman Culp Heritage Collection at the Nappanee Center, located at 302 W. Market Street to your itinerary. With over 10,000 sq. ft. of Nappanee history on display, you will be captivated by the city’s storied past.

While you are here, you can enter Nappanee’s first jail cell, discover artifacts as extraordinary as a prototype space capsule developed by Aeronautical engineer Lee Weaver, and o

inspect a three-dimensional Foo Car, inspired by the cartoons of Bill Holman.

In the military room, you’ll find Lt. Col. Todd Beer’s Air Force One uniform and the story of his time as a pilot for Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Many military items are on permanent display, such as memorabilia, weapons, uniforms, and more dated from the Civil War to the Gulf War. The Collection’s assembly of “Hoosier Cabinets” and other kitchen furniture will illustrate the story of “Nappanee: Kitchen Capital of the World, ” at the turn of the last century and how we exported thousands of cabinets across the country by rail. According to a 1920 advertisement, these kitchen cabinets saved cooks hundreds of steps in completing tasks like making an apple pie. Before you leave, don’t forget to step inside one of the oldest homes in the city, built by businessman John Hartman in 1897. It’s located inside the Museum!

Need a laugh? Look no further than the Collection’s display of cartoon strips, illustrations, and other artifacts from Nappanee’s six nationally-known cartoonists – more than any city can claim per capita!

The Museum’s newest addition includes the new art gallery featuring local artist, Emma Schrock. Schrock, known as the “Grandma Moses of Elkhart County, ” lived in what she painted and painted what she saw. Growing up with physical challenges, Schrock used painting as a way to work outside her home. She truly captured the Old Order Mennonite way of life and her art is an excellent example of what makes our area so unique.

The museum is free of charge and is open Monday through Friday from 9-5 and Saturday from 9-1. Come in today and journey into Nappanee’s past!

n i o t P h o t o c u r t e s y o f N a p p a n e e C e n t e r E m m a S c h r o c k C o l l e c