The La Porte County Historical Society Museum is happy to host the Indiana Historical Society's Travelling Exhibit "Indiana Disasters" from June 24-July 29. The exhibit explores all kinds of disasters and how they are remembered by Indiana communities. 

It is no secret that - in Indiana -extreme weather such as floods, tornadoes, blizzards, and drought persist year to year. The way humans interact with their environment also leaves people vulnerable to disasters, such as fires, crashes, spills, and explosions. Historically, stories of these events have been passed down from generation to generation, including biological, violent, and bizarre events such as epidemics, bombs, and even squirrel migrations. You can see photographs from various IHS collections and from institutions across the state, which capture these unforgettable Indiana catastrophes. In addition, newspaper headlines, illustrations, and survivor accounts show how Hoosiers have persevered in the face of disaster. La Porte County serial killer Belle Gunness is included in the exhibit.

In addition to the travelling exhibit, on July 16 at 11:00 am, the Museum will be hosting Jim Retseck from the Old Lighthouse Museum! Jim will be giving a talk and answering questions about the SS Eastland disaster. The SS Eastland was a passenger ship that often brought visitors across the lake to Michigan City from Chicago. On 24 July 1915, the ship capsized while tied to a dock. A total of 844 passengers and crew were killed. If you're curious about the Eastland, boats, or boating accidents, be sure to stop by the Museum to learn more.