Musings • February 2025

New Exhibit! Pets are members of the family, and we love them. “PoCo Pets: Part of the Family” brings Porter County's beloved animal companions into the foreground. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌

New Exhibit! Opening February 6

PoCo Pets: Part of the Family

Robert Cain Gallery

Pets are members of the family, and we love them. It's been no different during the last century in Porter County. This small exhibit features a broad array of photographs, artwork, objects, and ephemera that bring Porter County's beloved animal companions into the foreground.

P. S. — Don’t miss our Living History Program demonstrating the extensive historical process of maple sugar production inside our location at 20 Indiana Avenue in downtown Valparaiso on Saturday, February 22, between 10a and 2p.

WHAT TO DO

Living History Program Saturday, February 22, 10a-2p

PoCo Muse, 20 Indiana Avenue

(Please note the correct date, which was incorrectly listed in previous publications.)

Complimentary Guided Museum Tour Series

Saturdays at 2p

PoCo Muse, 20 Indiana Avenue

No RSVP Required

New Museum Buttons

Sundays from 11a-5p

PoCo Muse, 20 Indiana Avenue

Pick up one of our new buttons, including this one of Poco Mouse.

VIEW THE CURRENT ISSUE OF MUSE NEWS

WHAT TO SEE

The V&N: Porter County’s Electric Interurban Rail Line

Through April 19

The Valparaiso and Northern Railway (V&N) was an electric interurban train line in Porter County that operated from 1910 to 1938, connecting Valparaiso to Chesterton by way of area lake resorts.

Montague/Urschel Gallery

PoCo Pets: Part of the Family

Opens February 6

Pets are members of the family, and we love them. It's been no different during the last century in Porter County. This small exhibit brings Porter County's beloved animal companions into the foreground.

Robert Cain Gallery

Connections: Permanent Collection

Take a closer look. Gathered throughout the PoCo Muse are pairs of objects that speak to each other in surprising ways. The objects may appear different at first glance, but after closer consideration, they may reveal important relationships.

Eunice Slagle Gallery

Lowenstine WWII Roll of Honor

The Lowenstine WWII Roll of Honor was displayed on the courthouse square from 1943 until 1973 in commemoration of the Valparaiso citizens who contributed to the war effort during World War II. It was installed in the PoCo Muse in December 2022.

MORE TO EXPLORE

Muse News: January through March 2025

Stay up-to-date with all that’s happening at the PoCo Muse by checking out our most recent newsletter, Muse News.

PoCo Muse Magazine: Issue No. 8

The digital version PoCo Muse Magazine is free to read for everyone. This issue highlights the stories of three Porter County heroes and pioneers.

Looking Back: February 1925

Each day on social media, the PoCo Muse looks back by featuring century-old historical excerpts selected from the Evening Messenger and Valparaiso Daily Vidette newspapers.

At the Intersection of Art & History

The 25-minute video slideshow called "At the Intersection of Art & History" presents highlights from our permanent art collection and spotlights a few common themes found in the artworks.

A circa 1910 “real photo” postcard of “Mrs. Crumpacker and Daisy” addressed to Irene Bell of Valparaiso, 2017.2.56; Living History interpreters at a previous off-site demonstration of maple sugar production, courtesy of Ian Baker; “Xoxo PoCo" features PoCo Mouse holding a Valentine’s Day Card, created by Ashley Vernon in 2023; a streetcar of the Valparaiso & Northern turns the corner at the junction of Calumet Avenue and Franklin Street, circa 1910s, courtesy of Steve Shook; a taxidermy preserved dog, “Daisy,” circa early 1930s, Albert Photographic, 2022, 1901.15.1; National Cash Register 542-EL-4F1914 (detail), 1914, Albert Photographic, 2022; a detail of the Lowenstine WWII Roll of Honor on display in the PoCo Muse, 2023.