General, History, Historical Society

The mission of the museum is to collect, preserve, document and display aural, visual, and physical artifacts which tell the history of life in Wabash County. This mission shall be driven by a passion for presentation that will attract visitors having both casual and research interests.

Historical Society

Historical Society

Culture, General, History, Historic House, Historical Society

"This gem of a museum is like a miniature Smithsonian, NY Metropolitan, and Williamsburg all rolled into one." This was the comment of a recent well-traveled out-of-state visitor who was amazed at the scope and quality of the museum's holdings. Comprised of 8 buildings on a compact site, the museum is a unique repository of Wayne County and Richmond history from early pioneer life through the industrial revolution into modern times. Exhibits include period clothing, furniture, portraiture, two log cabins of local origin, a vintage Conestoga wagon, a blacksmith shop, print shop, bakery, loom house, a superb collection of early Richmond made automobiles, steam powered tractors, the first Davis airplane manufactured in Richmond in 1929, and more about Richmond's rich industrial heritage.

Historical Society

Art, Culture, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Library, Military, University

Grouseland, home of William Henry Harrison, first Governor of the Indiana Territory and 9th POTUS. Grouseland was built between 1802-1804 situated on the banks of the Wabash River. The Mansion was a family home, government building, and a fortress in times of threat. Grouseland was saved by the DAR in early 1900 and is now ran by the Grouseland Foundation.

Historical Society

Historical Society

Culture, History, Historical Society

What are the responsibilities of the county historians?
Each Indiana county historian acts as:
• a coordinator of historical information sources for the county he or she serves
• a resource person for historical inquiries from within and without the county
• an emissary of the Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Historical Bureau, promoting cooperation between local historical organizations while reducing duplication of effort
• an educator able to travel within the county and capable of serving the needs of his or her constituents • a student willing to devote time and effort to learning new techniques and technologies
• a historian well acquainted with and interested in the county's heritage

Historical Society

History, Historic House, Historical Society, Military

The Whitley County Historical Museum is housed in the Columbia City home of Thomas Riley Marshall, Indiana Governor and 28th Vice President of the United States. The Museum interprets not only the life of Thomas Marshall but also the great history of Whitley County and its peoples. The Museum complex consists of the Marshall House, an Annex, a Carriage House, and an Outhouse.