Last updated on December 20, 2023.

The La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana, is an excellent place to learn about the history of the city and county.

La Porte County Historical Society Museum
La Porte County Historical Society Museum

The La Porte County Historical Society Museum was incorporated on October 17, 1921. It has been housed in the former Door Prairie Auto Museum since September 30, 2006. Every piece in the museum comes from LaPorte County.

 

Visiting

The museum is located a short drive south of downtown La Porte along Indiana Avenue. Admission is US$5 for adults and US$4 for seniors (as of September 2023). Children under 18 years of age are admitted free of charge. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 4:30pm.

 

Main Level

The collection is displayed on the main level, basement, and second level. The main level contains several historic artifacts, including clothing, toys, dolls, camera, furniture, and more.

Main level at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana
Main level

A replica of downtown La Porte sits along the back wall. It’s lined by a few cars from the Kesling Auto Collection (see below), including a rare 1948 Playboy. Only 99 Playboys were ever made, and it was the inspiration for the name of Hugh Hefner’s men’s magazine.

Replica downtown
1948 Playboy at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana
1948 Playboy

Another interesting artifact on the main level is an original Lincoln Highway marker. The stone marker once stood on Lincolnway in La Porte.

Lincoln Highway marker at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana
Lincoln Highway marker

 

Period Rooms

14 period rooms are set up to the rear of the main level. They depict life during different times in La Porte County history. On display are a 1950s living room, a general store, a 1920s kitchen and living room, and a school room.

1950s living room at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana
1950s living room
1920s kitchen at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana
1920s kitchen
1920s living room at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana
1920s living room
School at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana
School

The doctor’s and dentist’s office displays antique medical equipment and furniture. An interesting photo shows Dr. William Worrall Mayo, the founder of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Mayo attended courses at the Indiana Medical College in La Porte in 1849 and 1850.

Doctor's and dentist's office at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana
Doctor’s and dentist’s office

Next are a Victorian bedroom, dining room, and parlor. Furnishings from the Victorian era were popular in the area between 1850 and 1900.

Victorian bedroom at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana
Victorian bedroom
Victorian dining room at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana
Victorian dining room
Parlor from the Victorian era
Parlor from the Victorian era

A music room features antique musical instruments and items from the luxurious La Porte Theater. The theatre was built in 1923 by architect Henry Newhouse and stood until 1977. It was located on Lincolnway between Jackson and Detroit Streets.

Music room at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana
Music room

The period rooms continue with an Empire room (1840s-1850s), a pioneer log cabin, an office, and beauty shop.

Empire room
Empire room
Pioneer log cabin
Pioneer log cabin
Office
Office
Beauty shop
Beauty shop

 

Kesling Auto Collection

On the upper level are several cars from the Kesling Auto Collection. There are over 30 cars in the collection, which is on loan from Dr. Peter C. Kesling and his wife Charlene.

Kesling Auto Collection
Kesling Auto Collection
1935 Auburn (front) and 1934 Brewster (rear)
1935 Auburn (front) and 1934 Brewster (rear)
Kesling Auto Collection
Kesling Auto Collection
Kesling Auto Collection
Kesling Auto Collection

The oldest is a 1903 Winton and the newest is a 1982 DeLorean. Also on display is a 1948 Tucker Torpedo used in the 1988 movie Tucker: A Man and His Dream starring Jeff Bridges. Only 50 Tuckers were ever made.

1982 DeLorean
1982 DeLorean
1948 Tucker Torpedo
1948 Tucker Torpedo

Other interesting cars include a 1911 Ford Model T that finished third in the 1976 Around the World Race from Istanbul to San Francisco; a 1951 Studebaker; a 1967 Amphicar;

1911 Ford Model T
1911 Ford Model T
1951 Studebaker
1951 Studebaker
1967 Amphicar
1967 Amphicar

A custom 1930 Ford with two engines, gas tanks, and dashboards (only one is functional); a 1968 Daimler; and a 1958 Lambretta motorscooter.

Custom 1930 Ford
Custom 1930 Ford
Custom 1930 Ford
Custom 1930 Ford
1968 Daimler
1968 Daimler
1958 Lambretta motorscooter
1958 Lambretta motorscooter

 

Basement

In the basement are more historic artifacts as well as natural items such as bones, birds, rocks, and minerals. Working model trains are also included.

Technology at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana
Technology
Model train at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana
Model train

A sports display includes photos, memorabilia, and items used by locals who became professional athletes. There’s also sports equipment used as early as the late 19th century.

Sports display at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana
Sports display
Sports display at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana
Sports display

The Belle Gunness Exhibit chronicles the mysterious brutal murders that occurred on the Gunness farm between 1901 and 1908. Nearby is the W. A. Jones Exhibit, featuring nearly 850 antique weapons purchased from all over the world as well as uniforms dating back to the Civil War.

Belle Gunness Exhibit at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana
Belle Gunness Exhibit
W. A. Jones Exhibit at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana
W. A. Jones Exhibit

Finally, there are a few more cars from the Kesling Auto Collection scattered throughout the basement. The most interesting is a 1976 Yare. It was built by Dr. Kessling and displayed at the 1977 Electric Vehicle Exhibition in Chicago.

1976 Yare at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum in La Porte, Indiana
1976 Yare

 

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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