La Porte County Historical Society

Name: La Porte County Historical Society
Address: 2405 Indiana Avenue, Ste 1, Laporte, IN, 46350, US
Telephone: (219) 324-6767
Price range: $

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La Porte County Historical Society

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La Porte County Historical Society Museum is located at 2405 Indiana Avenue in La Porte. For research questions, email [email protected].

10/03/2026

✨Belle Gunness: The Mystery Continues Event!✨

Join us on Saturday, November 7, 2026 to learn more about Belle Gunness and her appalling crimes.

There will be a morning session from 10:00am to Noon and an afternoon session from 1:30 to 3:30pm. Each session begins with “The Gunness Mystery” documentary showing by County Historian Bruce Johnson, followed by a presentation by retired Judge William Boklund titled “The Belle Gunness Mystery: Hard Evidence & Occam’s Razor.”

Tickets are $5.00 per person. Society members and children 18 or younger are free. Society members must email Asst. Director Savannah to receive tickets.

Tickets are REQUIRED for this event as limited space is available.

Purchase your tickets today on the Museum's website: https://laportecountyhistory.org/event/belle-gunness-the-mystery-continues-event-tickets-required/

*Caution as this event may not be suitable for younger children.*

10/03/2026

✨La Porte County History Trivia✨

Question #28

What world-famous company came to La Porte in 1880?

~The answer will be revealed on Saturday, October 17th.

10/01/2026

✨La Porte County History Trivia✨

Answer to Question #27

The man in the photo is Indiana Governor Harold Handley.

Harold Handley was born in La Porte on November 27, 1909 to parents Harold (Hal) and Lottie Handley. He graduated from La Porte High School in 1928 and later attended Indiana University, where he graduated in 1932. The Handley family were one of the organizers of the Rustic Hickory Furniture Company that had a factory in La Porte.

With an interest in politics, Harold ran for the Indiana State Senate and was elected in 1941. He would only serve one session. When the U.S. entered into WWII, he enlisted in the army and served in the 85th Division, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

He returned to politics after the war and was elected to the Indiana State Senate a second time. He served from 1949 to 1952. In 1952, he was the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor and was elected. He served four years as Lieutenant Governor.

In 1956, Harold ran for governor and won. He became the 40th Governor of Indiana when he took office on January 14, 1957. He only served one term as governor and left office in 1961. He was famous for wearing his signature blue bowtie with polka dots.

Harold Handley is the only Governor of Indiana from La Porte County. To honor his legacy, Handley Elementary School was named after him. Handley passed away on August 30, 1972 at the age of 62 from a heart attack while on a trip in Wyoming. Harold and the rest of the Handley family are buried in Pine Lake Cemetery.

~Trivia Question #28 will be posted on Saturday, October 3rd ~

09/29/2026

🎄❄️✨Holiday Artisan Fair on December 5, 2026!✨❄️🎄

The La Porte County Historical Society is excited to announce our sixth annual Holiday Artisan Fair!

This year's fair will take place on Saturday, December 5, 2026 from 10:00am-3:00pm.

Entrance to the fair will be by donation.

There will be local artisans offering unique holiday gift items; ornaments, jewelry, wristlets, scarves, original prints and cards, ceramics, pottery, crochet, resin art and more!

Enjoy visiting the Museum and shopping for one-of-a-kind gifts! It's the best of both worlds!

We look forward to seeing everyone on December 5!

If you are interested in being a vendor, please contact Museum Director Danielle Adams at [email protected].

09/29/2026

✨Children's Storytime & Activity on October 17th!✨

Families are invited to join us on Saturday, October 17th at the Museum for story time and an activity at 10:30am!

This is a FREE event and all ages are welcome!

Each month, Museum volunteers and staff will host a story time followed by a hands-on activity.

For October, children are learning about Fred Mennen, the creator of Jiffy Pop Popcorn!

09/24/2026

~Patton Cemetery Tour Cancelled~

We are sad to announce that the Patton Cemetery Tour scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026, has been cancelled.

We have been in contact with the caretakers of Patton Cemetery and it was ultimately decided that the best decision would be to cancel the tour. The Derecho storm from August 11th greatly damaged the cemetery and despite best efforts to remove the massive trees and debris, the cemetery remains unsafe for the public to enter.

We appreciate everyone’s understanding of why the tour had to be cancelled. Those who purchased tickets to this tour will be refunded. We hope to return to Patton Cemetery in the future.

09/24/2026

🎃Museum Trick or Treat on Saturday, October 24, 2026! 🎃

Visit the Museum to get a treat and hopefully not a trick from our spooky time traveling visitors from 2:00 to 4:00pm! They only visit once a year so you don't want to miss them!

We are also opening the event a little earlier from 1:00-1:45 for children with disabilities or those who prefer a more quiet environment to enjoy trick or treating at the Museum.

This is a FREE event and all ages are welcome!

Trick or treat will be on the main level of the Museum ONLY. The upper and lower levels will be closed to visitors during the event. This is to make sure that candy and candy wrappers do not end up in the exhibits.

You don't want to miss out on this fun and frightening event!

09/19/2026

✨La Porte County History Trivia✨

Question #27

Who is this man?

~The answer will be revealed on Thursday, October 1st.

Address

2405 Indiana Avenue, Ste 1
Laporte, IN
46350

Telephone

(219) 324-6767

Website

http://www.laportecountyhistory.org/

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10/03/2026

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09/19/2026

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