Museums and Historic Sites of Elkhart County Preview

1

Bonneyville Mill

Bonneyville Mill is located at 53373 County Road 131 in Bristol, Indiana. Escape the pressures of the twenty-first century and step back to the rustic charm of Indiana’s oldest continuously operating gristmill. Established in the mid 1830's, Bonneyville continues to produce stone ground flour the old-fashioned way by harnessing the power of water. You will experience the feel of the massive millstones vibrating under your feet and hear the rushing water as it powers the mill. Come visit!Bonneyville Mill is open May through October, Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Visit ElkhartCountyParks.org for more information or call 574-535-6458.

2

The Elkhart County Historical Museum

The Elkhart County Historical Museum is located at 304 Vistula Street in Bristol, Indiana. Enjoy exhibits, hands-on programs, and an on-site research library at this historic school building turned history center. Come visit!The Elkhart County Historical Museum is open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Visit elkhartcountyhistory.org for more information or call 574-848-4322.

3

Elkhart Environmental Center

The Elkhart Environmental Center is located at 1717 East Lusher Avenue in Elkhart, Indiana. Step into the natural world through educational offerings, Envirokids programs, and riverside walking trails. Come visit!The Elkhart Environmental Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the cabin is open Saturday 1 to 4 p.m. April through September, and the trails are open daily from dawn to dusk. Visit ElkhartIndiana.org/eec or call 574-293-5070 for more information.

4

ETHOS

ETHOS is located at 1025 N Michigan St, in Elkhart, Indiana. ETHOS is an acronym for Encouraging Technology and Hands-On Science. ETHOS offers access to learning tools, events, and activities that steer kids to learning (and loving) science and technology. Call 574-266-7149 or visit EthosInc.org for more information.

5

The Hall of Heroes Super Hero Museum

The Hall of Heroes Super Hero Museum is located at 58005 County Road 105 in Elkhart, Indiana. Bring out your inner super hero with seventy years of comic books, animation art, toys, television props, and memorabilia. Visit hallofheroesmuseum.com or call 574-293-0755 for more information.

6

Havilah Beardsley House

The Havilah Beardsley House is located at 102 West Beardsley Avenue in Elkhart, Indiana. Get a glimpse of Elkhart’s entrepreneurial spirit at the 1848 home of city founder Havilah Beardsley. Come visit!The Havilah Beardsley House is open April through December, Tuesday through Saturday, tours on the hour between 10 am and the last tour beginning at 3 pm. Tours on Sunday are on the hour between 1 pm and 3 pm. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for students, 5 & under are free with adult. Visit Ruthmere.org or call 574-266-6596 for more information.

7

The Jimtown Historical Museum

The Jimtown Historical Museum is located at 59710 County Road 3 in Elkhart, Indiana. Explore life on the farm at the turn of the nineteenth century at this restored Queen Anne-style farmhouse museum. Call 574-206-4923 or find us on Facebook at Jimtown Historical Museum for more information.

8

The Midwest Museum of American Art

The Midwest Museum of American Art is located at 429 South Main Street in Elkhart, Indiana. See ‘The Story of American Art’ unfold in over 200 important works including the original painting by Grant Wood, the largest signed & numbered Norman Rockwell print collection in America, and the world’s largest Overbeck Art Pottery collection, all in a beautifully renovated neo-classical style bank building.Come visit!MMAA is open year-round, Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 1-4 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 senior citizens, $8 students, and family of 3 or more $15. There is one free Sunday per month. Visit MidwestMuseum.us or call 574-293-6660 for more information.

9

The National New York Central Railroad Museum

The National New York Central Railroad Museum is located at 721 South Main Street in Elkhart, Indiana. Recapture the glory days when America’s railroads were symbols of progress and prosperity. Come visit!The National New York Central Railroad Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Visit NYCRRMuseum.org or call 574-294-3001 for more information.Go to the Purple Tour for a guided tour through this museum.

10

The RV/Manufactured Housing Hall of Fame Museum

The RV/Manufactured Housing Hall of Fame Museum is located at 21565 Executive Parkway in Elkhart, Indiana. The RV/MH Hall of Fame Museum displays vintage RVs dating back to the years before World War I. Its archival library holds nearly twenty thousand books, magazines, and brochures from the 1920s to current time. The Hall of Fame itself honors over three hundred and fifty RV and mobile home industry pioneers and key leaders for their significant and lasting contribution to the growth and development of the two industries. Come see how auto camping was done in the teens and twenties and thirties. Come visit!Open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: adults $9, Senior or groups $7, Youth $6, and a discount family rate of $25 for parents and dependent children. Visit RVMHHallofFame.org or call 574-293-2344 for more information.

11

Ruthmere Mansion

Ruthmere Mansion is located at 302 East Beardsley Avenue in Elkhart, Indiana. Tour beautifully appointed rooms, a world-class art collection, and manicured grounds at this riverfront Beaux-Arts beauty. Come visit!Ruthmere is open April through December, Tuesday through Saturday tours on the hour between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., Sunday tours at 1, 2, & 3 p.m. Admission is $10 adults, $4 students. Visit Ruthmere.org or call 888.287-7696 for more information.

12

The Time Was Museum

The Time Was Museum is located at 125 A North Main Street in Elkhart, Indiana. Discover a treasure trove of objects and images that capture the city’s rich history in a setting just like grandma’s attic. Call 574-293-6005 for more information.

13

Wellfield Botanic Gardens

Wellfield Botanic Gardens is located at 1011 North Main Street in Elkhart, Indiana. Wander winding paths dotted with original sculpture that lead to gorgeous views of blooming summer annuals. This site is sponsored by Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Call 574-266-2006 or visit wellfieldgardens.org for more information.

14

Woodlawn Nature Center

Woodlawn Nature Center is located at 604 Woodlawn Avenue in Elkhart, Indiana. “To intimately connect as many people as possible with nature, natural history, and our future on this planet” is the mission statement for those involved with Woodlawn Nature Center, a ten acre wooded park with a small natural history museum and activity center located within the Elkhart city limits. Woodlawn Nature Center has been dedicated to the preservation and conservation of native flora and fauna through hands-on education and to increased appreciation for our place in natural history and our responsibility as a keystone species since 1963. Woodlawn is committed to the enhancement of our own habitat. Come visit!Woodlawn Nature Center is open year round, from dawn to dusk, free of charge. Call 574-264-0525 or visit woodlawnnature.org for more information.

15

Goshen Historical Museum

You will find the Goshen Historical Museum at 124 South Main Street nestled among downtown Goshen’s unique collection of century-old storefronts. Come in and experience the ambience of an actual “dry goods” retail store from the 1800s. It is complete with the original cabinetry and the original safe. Come and see evidence of Goshen’s early industry, businesses, schools, and people. Come visit!The museum is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on “First Fridays” from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and by appointment. Free admission. Free parking is available at the Main Street entry or at the back entry off of Fifth Street. Call 574-975-0033 for more information.

16

The Middlebury Community Museum

The Middlebury Community Museum is located at 301 Bristol Avenue (County Road 8) in Middlebury, Indiana. Delve into a charming middle-American town through displays and artifacts (be sure to visit historic Krider Garden across the street as well.) Come visit!The Middlebury Community Museum is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 574-825-0978 for more information.

17

The Amish Acres Historic Farm & Heritage Resort

The Amish Acres Historic Farm & Heritage Resort is located at 1600 West Market Street in Nappanee, Indiana. Amish Acres offers a glimpse into Amish culture, history, and heritage. Time stopped over a century ago and preserves in the Amish, a way of life nearly forgotten in today's fast paced world. The legacy of the three generations of the family who lived here is seen and felt through a nostalgic visit to the farm and homestead. Call 574-773-4188 or visit amishacres.com for more information.

18

The Nappanee Center

The Nappanee Center is located at 302 West Market Street in Nappanee, Indiana. Connect with Nappanee’s native sons and daughters, from world-famous cartoonists to an Air Force One pilot. Come visit!The Nappanee Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center is only open on Sundays 1-5 p.m. between June 1st and October 1st. Call 574-773-7812 or visit NappaneeLibrary.org for more information.

19

The DeFries Gardens at River Preserve County Park

The DeFries Gardens at River Preserve County Park is located at 17477 County Road 46 in New Paris, Indiana. Explore thirtheen acres of woodlands and gardens including the beautiful blooming Calendar Garden.Call 574-535-6458 or visit ElkhartCountyParks.org for more information.

20

The Wakarusa Historical Museum

The Wakarusa Historical Museum is located at 403 East Wabash Street in Wakarusa, Indiana. Experience a timeline of history touring historical buildings including a train depot, schoolhouse, and blacksmith shop.Call 574-536-1300 or visit WakarusaHistoricalSociety.com for more information.