Regular Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am -2pm
1013 North Long Drive Syracuse, IN 46567
“The mission of the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum (S-WHM) is to preserve and exhibit artifacts connected to the families, lakes, businesses, and industries of the Syracuse-Wawasee area. Through the display of historical objects, photographs, and documents, the museum strives to cultivate a richer understanding of the individuals and events that have shaped the community into what it is today.”
Mission Statement of the Syracuse – Wawasee Historical Museum
Museum Services & Resources
Located in Syracuse, Indiana inside the Syracuse Community Center across from Lakeside Park, the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum offers a glimpse back in time for the Lakeland area. It was founded with funds gained from the 1987 Syracuse Sesquicentennial Celebration and occupied a room in the Syracuse Public Library until June, 2002, when it moved to its current location in the Syracuse Community Center.
Programs and Events!
The Syracuse – Wawasee Historical Museum offers programs and resources for all ages! Throughout the year we offer a wide variety of programming for children and adults alike in the Syracuse Community Center and beyond. Enjoy events like archaeological talks, historical walks, Centennial programs and much more!
Mier Car
Built in 1908, and one of only two known to exist, our Mier car is a well preserved beauty!
Dolan Native American Collection
Our very large Native American weapon and tool collection is very complete and represents most if not all of the kind of stone tools that the 1st Nations Peoples used in this area.
Chief Wawasee
Chief Wawasee was the brother of Chief Papakeechie, who was the most influential Miami chief in the region around Lake Wawasee, in what is now Kosciusko County. Lakes Wawasee and Papakeechie were named after these brothers.
New Donation to the Syracuse -Wawasee Historical Museum
Anchoring the the museum’s newly created nautical section is a c. 1930s era wooden lapstrake boat. Donated by Doug and Karen Grant of Lake Wawasee, the beautifully restored antique boat was awarded the Commodore’s Cup in the 1998 Wawasee Flotilla and won first place in the antique division at the White River Yacht Club boat show in the Indianapolis area that same year. A unique feature of the boat is three-position steering; it can be directed from the steering wheel in front or levers in the middle and back of the boat. Ownership of the boat has been verified at least as far back as Jesse A. Dietzen, president of Dietzen Bakeries, Kokomo, who resided on the south shore of Lake Wawasee. Pictures of his grandchildren in the boat in the 1960s have been donated by the family. The ownership chain continued through: Dr. DeFries of New Paris, IN, James Edmundson, and Doug Grant. James Edmundson and Jay Janes had the boat restored by local craftsmen, Dale Butt and Charlie Penn. The museum will continue to research the boat’s history and welcomes all information patrons may have.
The museum envisions developing exhibits based around the boat which will enable future generations to discover the rich nautical heritage of the Syracuse-Wawasee community.
Our History
Up Coming Events
In Search Of...
The museum is always looking for unique items to add to the collection. Please keep in mind when donating that we keep the history of the Syracuse and Wawasee lakes area, and any artifacts that should belong to a different museum’s collection will be sent to them in due course. If you have any questions about anything you would like to donate, please feel free to call the museum and ask.
Youth History Camp- SIGN-UP REQUIRED
Session A- June 10,11,12,13 -1:00-3:00- Syracuse Community Center
Session B- July 15,16,17,18 -1:00-3:00 -Syracuse Community Center
Centennial Programs
Saturday, July 12 @10:30- History of the Spink Property– Syracuse Community Center
Saturday, August 9 @ 10:30- Centennial Homes Around Lake Wawasee– Syracuse Community Center
Historical Cruises in partnership with Chautauqua-Wawasee
Saturday, May 17 @ 1:00- Lake Wawasee Points of Interest– Departs from the Frog Tavern
Thursday, September 25 @1:00– Lake Wawasee “Then and Now”– Departs from the Frog Tavern
Digging through History– in partnership with Chautauqua-Wawasee
Thursday, September 11 6:30-7:30- Prehistory of Northern Indiana– Presented by Pat Mooney and Bryan Warder- Syracuse Community Center
Friday, September 12 6:30-7:30- The Life and Times of Five Medals– Presented by Mike Judson- Syracuse Community Center
Get Involved
It costs an average of $100 per day for the museum to maintain its collections. Without your support, we cannot keep providing historical services to you, the public. The museum has been under renovation to make it a more inviting and accessible space for you to enjoy. These updates are not included in the daily operations cost. Please consider donating today. Donations are accepted through the “DONATE” button below, mail, or in person during business hours. All donations are tax deductible, according to the law. Thank you! Would you like to know where museum funding is going? Go to the “About Us” menu and click “End-of-Year” where you will find a write-up of all of our activities for the years of 2023-2024 with the most recent year’s coming soon.
Hours We Are Open:
