The Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum is proud to bring you exciting programs and events. 

Event Sponsorship: If you or your business would like to sponsor an event for the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum, contact Jamie Clemons, the Museum’s Director. (574) 457-3599 or email at director@syracusemuseum.org

Summer Events:

• Centennial Homes:

  The museum is proud to bring you the 9th annual Centennial Homes program.  What started as a showcase of 100+ year old homes in our community has branched out to include the history of communities and people within the area.  Syracuse resident and native, Ann Vanderford Garceau brings an educational and insiteful look into the homes, communities, and people that have been a part of the town of Syracuse before and since its establishment in 1837.
  If you have a lake area home that is +100 years old and would like to participate, please contact the museum for more information. All participants receive a plaque as a thank you for participating. Free!
  This program is funded by a grant from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation.
  The programs for 2024 begin at 10:30am in the community center gym.
  July 13: The Southeastern Shore of Lake Wawasee, part 1
  August 10: The Southeastern Shore of Lake Wawasee, part 2

  
  Beginning, Saturday morning, July 13^th, from 10:30 to noon at the Syracuse Community Center, the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum’s summer Centennial Programs will feature the lakeshore from where Turkey Creek enters Wawasee on the Southeast end of the lake, to Buttermilk Point and on to Cottingham Beach.  The first program on this expanse includes: the fascinating Rollert family who owned 26 acres along this lakeshore, and the pioneer Jarrett family of buttermilk fame who sold to Charles Johnson in 1914 developing an amusement park and then Johnson’s Hotel with its 5 buildings.  Also included will be Elmwood Heights.

  The Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum’s will host its next Centennial program from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 10. The event will be at the Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Dr., Syracuse.

  The program will begin on the other side of Johnson’s Hotel with Klingaman’s Grocery & Rooms. About 1890, Jonathon Stump came to this area from Nappanee in search of buried treasure in the game preserve area. Being unsuccessful, Jonathon coaxed Lewis Jarrett into selling him five acres along what became Hatchery Road where he built a store. Young Ike Klingaman married Jonathon Stump’s daughter Lavina, and in 1897, she and Ike started operating the store which was very profitable for more than forty years. Ike also called square dances at Johnson’s Hotel. In the 1950s, the Heil family bought the property and built Heil’s Haven. Descendant Ross Heil will share early home movies of the property.

  The program will feature some Centennial Homes on Cottingham Beach, including one built around a very early log cabin. Plan to enjoy the program Saturday Aug. 10.

• Youth History Club: June 6-August 8, 2024

  Do your children complain about being bored during the summer? The YHC 2023 was a tremendous hit! We learned about a different topic each week, including beading, basketry, food preservation, and native birds.  The program is designed around grades 1-6, but is open to all age groups, including adults.
  Our guest teachers this year will be Cathy Draeger-Williams, an archaeologist from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources–Department of Historic Preservation & Archaeology and a special guest-by-video striving for a track and field Olympic spot. Hope to see you there! FREE!
  The YHC 2024 schedule is ready!  Please note that if you would like your children to participate in the July 25 “Shoes Through History” you will need to preregister them in order to ensure they have a shoe kit. Each meeting will be held in the Celebration Hall and/or outside to allow more space for children and teachers.
  This program is funded by a grant from the Dekko Foundation.

Archaeology Month

• September is Indian Archaeology Month throughout the state. The museum makes an effort to bring a FREE, informational, and fun-filled event each year specifically for the state-wide event. This year’s scheduled dates are September 12-14, 2022. We strive to make the Saturday portion of our programming a family event, though children are welcome to all events. The Archaeology Month event is co-sponsored by Chautauqua-Wawasee.
  This program is funded in part by grants from the Dekko Foundation and the Kosciusko County Community Foundation.
  • Programs are:
    • September 12, 6:30-7:30pm: Trevor Tipton:Tools & Weapons of the Indigenous Peoples
    • September 13, 6:30-7:30pm: Dr. Mark Schurr: Archaeology of the French Northern Indiana
    • September 14, 10:00am-Noon: Held on the WACF property (weather permitting).
      • Jim Bickel & Michelle Edington: Bring your own artifact
      • Mike Judson: Five Medals Living History
      • Angie Butler: Metal Detecting in Archaeology
      • Joe Zdziebko: 1754 French Marine
      • Jeff Mesaros: Flintknapping demonstration
      • Jamie Clemons: Atlatl Weapon Demonstration
      • IN-DNR Department of Historic Preservation & Archaeology

Fall/Spring Events

• Living History
  Occassionally, the Syracuse Elementary 4th grade students will present a “Night At The Museum: A Living History” presentation. The participants present prominent historical figures from our community, including dressing as their characters. 
• We are working with the Wawasee School Corporation in scheduling our next event.

Educational Outreach Programs for Elementary School Classrooms:

The Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum has a mission of sharing local history with all members of the community – including school children! Our Educational Outreach Program aims to excite students about our town and county history through hands-on activities and interdisciplinary learning. All programs are tied to Indiana State Core Standards for Social Studies and can be tailored to emphasize specific learning objectives or topics at the request of classroom teachers.
Educational Outreach Programs are designed to be held in school classrooms or take place on site at the museum. Museum tours and scavenger hunts for children are also available by request. Most programs are free; donations are appreciated. Some program expansions may require a small fee per student for supply costs.
Education Outreach for 2022-2024 is funded by the Dekko Foundation.

Check out the “Educator” tab and contact the museum to learn more and schedule your visit!