Portage Community Historical Society logo representing the Dunes, the farmland, and the Steel Industry of the Portage area


The Events

Program News

The museum and Trager House are closed for the winter. See you in March!

Here are just a few pictures from last year's Christmas Open House.
small tree in front of organ Mrs. Claus and a visitor
1800s carriage with presents tree with antique glass ornaments and wax figures

Festival News

Here's a sampling of the many pictures I took from last year's festival.

Duneland Woodcarvers chip carvings

hand-carved carousel carousel tiger

popcorn-style quilt quilt made of old silk ties

letters to Santa quilt pie judging

pie-eating contest watermelon-eating contest

loom weaver live auction

blacksmith pioneer woman cooking beans

antique cars antique tractors

Jim Wright, Susan Brown, Scott Conner Susan Brown

Civil War canon Civil War re-enactors

fishing derby vintage baseball game

Bonner Senior Center Choraleers The Rusty Pipes band

Wolfgang singing group model railroad bride scene

model railroad crossing scene new barn

Volunteer Opportunities

Are you someone who would be interested in volunteering to work at either the house or museum? Do you have friends or relatives who might like to volunteer, too? Please call Lois Mollick at 762-4218 or the Park Dept. at 762-1675 and sign up to help us man (or woman) these historical buildings.

Renovation News

As you know, restoration of the Trager Farmstead was finished fall 2006. Tuesday, Nov. 28, was the Open House. Mayor Doug Olson, Rep. Duane Cheney, several local councilmembers, reporters, and supporters from the community were there for the ribbon cutting ceremony. A special thanks to the Rowzies for loaning a whole bedroom set for the large upstairs bedroom. It was a nice turn out. Take a look at a few pictures!

Trager Farmhouse
Trager Farmhouse
Mayor Olson getting a plaque
Al Goin presenting Mayor Olson with a plaque in appreciation for his support
the ribbon-cutting ceremony
The ribbon cutting ceremony

Log Cabin News

Through the hard work and diligence of Clement Khan, Al Goin, Carl Fisher, and several others in the Historical Society, the Parks Dept., and the City, the Historical Society won the bid for a historic log cabin for the Countryside Park. It is a Linden Family Swedish structure from the 1860s that was located in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. It made its journey recently and is now at its new home at Countryside Park. After renovations, visitors will be able to see how log homes were constructed back in the Civil War era. The cabin needs a lot work, so donations are appreciated to help restore it. The people at the National Lakeshore are helping the Society with restoration ideas and background information. The cabin is so unique that it will be on the National Register of Historic Places! Keep an eye on its progress.

THE PLACES
Park, Museum, Buildings

History of Portage 		THE EVENTS
Special Events

Society Meetings

Group Trips 		THE COLLECTION
Highlights 		THE PEOPLE
Want to Become a Member?

Board Members 		THE TIDBITS
Spotlight on...

Trivia Quiz

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Created by Donna Smith for the Portage Community Historical Society
First Posted Oct. 19, 2005. Last Updated Jan. 5, 2009.
Please e-mail me with comments, problems, or suggestions.