Local Historical Organizations

One Washington Park Marina
Michigan City, IN
219-872-6133

The Michigan City Historical Society is located in the Old Lighthouse Museum, the oldest remaining lighthouse in Indiana. The collection is available for researchers and Michigan City Historical Society members by request. The museum is open for public tours from April through October, every day except Monday,  from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Central Time.

2405 Indiana Ave.
La Porte, IN
219-324-6767

The La Porte County Historical Society Museum hosts many events and exhibits each year; from re-enacting the Civil War to filling an acre of land with old cars, permanent exhibits to special current exhibits, there is something for everyone! The Historical Society Museum includes a research library.

631 Washington Street
Michigan City, IN
219-873-1520

The historic Barker Mansion lives as a monument of industry, charity, and turn-of-the-century life in Michigan City, highlighting the legacy of the Barker family through interpretive tours and special programs for kids and adults.

Volunteer organization that researches and documents La Porte County cemetery listings.

Main Library: 904 Indiana Avenue
La Porte, IN
219-362-6156

Coolspring Branch: 7089 West 400 North
Michigan City, IN
219-879-3272

Public library serving LaPorte County, Indiana, through its collections, events, and programs.

Westville Campus
1401 S. U.S. 421
Westville, IN 46391
(219) 785-5200
(855) 608-4600

Purdue Northwest Library, Westville, includes historical resources and archival material in their print and online collections.

Its archives and special collections includes books, documents, photographs and other items that are either very old, fragile, rare, or important to Purdue University Calumet, Purdue University North Central, and Purdue University Northwest history.

Check out their online guide, Celebrating Naomi Anderson, about the 19th-century African American suffragist leader who was born and raised in Michigan City. An important public figure of the time, her story fell into obscurity until recently. Find out more about this fascinating and important leader on the Purdue Northwest Library website. 

PNW Digital includes online exhibits, digitized collections, oral histories, and audiovisual materia.

3400 Broadway
Library Room 331
Gary, Indiana 46408
https://cra.sitehost.iu.edu/index.shtml
Archivist Jeremy Pekarek
jpekarek@iu.edu
219-980-6547
Archives Appointment Request Form: https://forms.office.com/r/CGigTyaL4t

Collections of interest include CRA 049: Michigan City Collection, CRA 038: South Shore Railroad Collection, CRA 022: Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Collection, photographs, maps, and more

525 S Broadway
Beverly Shores, IN 46301

The Beverly Shores Depot Museum enriches the lives of visitors by preserving and telling the story of Beverly Shores and the area, featuring exhibits by artists from our region, and hosting events. The Beverly Shores Heritage Trail covers local historical sites of interest, highlighting structures that no longer exist. A trail marker at each site provides a brief description of what was there and a QR code allows access to additional information. Download the Beverly Shores Heritage Trail brochure here.

Hanna Historical Society
PO Box 225
Hanna, IN 46340
hannahistorical@comcast.net

Historical society documenting the history of Hanna, Indiana.

P.O. Box 395
Westville, IN 46391-0395
cjfarf36@yahoo.com

153 Main St.
Westville, IN  46391
(219) 785-2015

Public library serving Westville and New Durham Township, Indiana.

PO Box 156
Wanatah, IN 46390-0156
whistsoc@frontier.com

The Wanatah Historical Society was formed in 1996 by a group of concerned citizens, with the mission to remember and preserve the history of Wanatah and the surrounding area.

LaCrosse Public Library
307 E. Main Street,
LaCrosse, IN 46348
patriciaspiess@lacrosse.lib.in.us

Public library serving LaCrosse, Indiana.

6440 East 30th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46219-1007
317-591-5222

The permanent repository for important records of Indiana government.

450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 232-1882

Collects, preserves, and promotes the history of Indiana.

315 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3210
1-866-683-0008.
Genealogy Collection: 317-232-3689

Through its history, the Indiana State Library has developed strong collections in the fields of Indiana history and culture, Indiana state government and United States government publications, Indiana newspapers, genealogy and family history resources.