The La Porte County Historical Society will be presenting its annual awards for the “Historians of the Year” on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 7:00 P.M. at the Historical Society Museum at 2405 Indiana Avenue in La Porte. There will be five honorees.
The individual “Historian of the Year” will be Gloria Arndt who has spent many years doing research not only on family genealogy, but has helped many others with their own family histories. She has worked with other genealogists on researching and compiling listings of more than 85 La Porte County cemeteries and has written several books on Michigan City and La Porte County history.
The “Historian of the Past”, being honored posthumously, is Jasper Packard who was a local superintendent of schools, Civil War General, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, newspaper editor, and author of the first book of the history of La Porte County for the U.S. Centennial in 1876.
The historical organization being honored is the Michigan City Historical Society. The society was founded in 1927, and in 1965, Michigan City leased the old lighthouse to the organization to use as a museum. After 8 years of restoration, the Michigan City Historical Society opened their new home to the public in 1973 as the Old Lighthouse Museum. Learn about the society’s incredible 50 years of development of this treasured La Porte County landmark.
Two county businesses are being recognized for their many years of continuous service to the people of La Porte County and beyond.
Fenker’s Furniture will be honored for 120 years of their family-owned business. Fred Fenker started Fenker’s Finer Furniture in 1903, and after moving to several locations in downtown La Porte, opened its own newly built store in 1925. Learn about the history of the Fenker family and the 120 years of their furniture business in La Porte.
Horizon Bank is being recognized for 150 years of service in La Porte County. The bank was chartered as the First National Bank of Michigan City in 1873 and has been at its present location since 1920. It has survived pandemics, depressions, wars, recessions, merges, and more over the past 150 years.
Friends, families, Society Members, and the general public are all welcome to attend the evenings presentations to learn more interesting facts about these honorees and their history in La Porte County. Refreshments and fellowship will follow.
