FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – A new pop-up museum is offering you a chance to experience and learn about the past 100 years in the Waynedale area of Fort Wayne. Hundreds of items were carefully selected to be included in this show.
Organizers say they anticipate a large amount of interest from residents throughout Northeast Indiana due to the community’s extensive history and those who are, and still feel, very connected to the area.
The Waynedale News is hosting a pop-up museum consisting of a selection of over 100 historical photos, documents and artifacts.
Organizers released the following:
For a limited time, the “Historic Waynedale” Pop-up Museum opened to the public on Wednesday, September 14 at 4 pm, and will be open Monday through Saturday from 4 pm to 7 pm until October 7. It is located at The Waynedale News office at 2505 Lower Huntington Road. Guests will be asked for free-will donations of any amount when they visit. Suggested donation is $5-10 per guest.
This is truly a unique historical exhibit and a huge undertaking. Throughout the years, The Waynedale News has not only been a storyteller of historical information, but also a collector and preserver of significant historical artifacts from around the community. This 700sqft museum will host just a small portion of the pictures, documents, and other non-digital artifacts that The Waynedale News has collected from the past 100+ years. Waynedale News staff members were amazed by age, amount, and condition of the collection as they selected items to display.
Invoking a strong feeling of nostalgia, guests will get to see newspapers from almost 90 years ago, business cards over 50 old from people and businesses they may remember, and in addition to many other items, a large display of very early Elmhurst High School and Waynedale School documents, memorabilia and photos. A highlight of the exhibit is concert music from Elmhurst’s Don Goss as well as a slide show of photos that he had taken during his 54 years as an Art and Theater teacher.
For those who want an exclusive tour before the museum opens to the general public, a limited number of guests can purchase a Preview Night ticket ($30 per guest) for Tuesday, September 13, 2-7pm. The Preview Night includes a Meet & Greet with Waynedale News Publisher, Alex Cornwell as well as light refreshments. Tickets may be purchased online here
Anyone who is interested in our beloved Waynedale Community is invited to come to see and learn about the area and its people throughout the years. As this is a significant undertaking, The Waynedale News asks guests to be respectful of the rules and to keep a library-type volume while visiting. Adults must actively monitor any children. Security cameras will be in use, and guests will be held responsible for any damages they cause. No food, drink, video, photography or touching of anything is allowed within the museum. This is a private exhibit that has taken many years to cultivate and care for, and as such, it is subject to close at any time if The Waynedale News feels guests are endangering its collection.
The Waynedale News joins the community in thanking everyone who has donated historical items from Waynedale’s place in history. The newspaper takes pride in independently funding the effort to preserve these items so future generations may look fondly back on the area’s history. Private donations and newspaper advertising primarily pays for this effort. Through experiencing this exhibit, guests will see the importance of preserving our history and the newspapers’ important role it continues to serve in the community throughout time. Simply put, the items in this exhibit would not exist without the newspaper, and guests would not be able to enjoy them without the newspapers’ love for going above and beyond to serve the Waynedale community.
The Waynedale News welcomes all support and donations as the collection grows. If anyone has historical documents, photos or other artifacts, the newspaper would be glad to work with you to see if it is something that could be preserved in its collection. Call 260-747-4535 for more info.
