Join Tom Shepherd, a member of the Little Calumet Underground Railroad Project, as he guides a hike along the Little Calumet River near the site of the Jan Ton Farm, a safe house for runaway slaves along the Underground Railroad. Tom has designed this hike to showcase a segment of the route Freedom Seekers would have traversed through the region with the assistance of abolitionists like the Ton family, who provided refuge for many who braved the journey. Comfortable walking shoes and water recommended.

WHEN: Saturday, July 21st at 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: We will be meeting at the Little Calumet River boat launch in Beaubien Woods. https://goo.gl/maps/u9JzwGU5o6G2

Join us for what should be a very interesting, historically significant tour of the area.

Any questions or need for directions day of, call Tom at 773-370-3305.

Chorus of Voices: Retelling Northwest Indiana History

Thursday, April 27, 2017  4 PM - 6 PM  Helge Center, Chapel of the Resurrection, Valparaiso University, 1600, Chapel Dr, Valparaiso, IN 46383

Flyer (pdf)  Image (jpg)

Many of us in Northwest Indiana have family stories that connect us to Gary.

We have stories of hope: of arriving, of finding work, of neighborhood life, of churches and schools, of political engagement, of hard times and good times.

We have stories of change: of Mayor Hatcher’s election, of expanded opportunities for housing and employment, of schools desegregating, of being in the nation’s eye.

We have stories of fight or flight: of no longer feeling safe, of banning “for sale” signs in the neighborhood, of moving to the suburbs, of watching businesses leave for Southlake mall, of jobs at the mill drying up.

It can be hard, given the diversity of experiences, to hear the larger, underlying regional story.

In Chorus of Voices: Retelling Northwest Indiana History, we will share excerpts from an audio documentary that looks to relay that larger story. Through listening and discussion, we hope you will recognize your own story, acknowledge the stories of others, and begin to think differently about our common life.

Hosted by the Welcome Project and co-sponsored by the Calumet Heritage Partnership

This project is made possible by the support of the Indiana Arts Commission, South Shore Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

Free Admission

Lake Calumet - Then and Now 

Thursday, March 2, 2017 
7:00 - 8:30 P.M.
A presentation by Paul Petraitis
Joined by Tom Shepherd, Lake Calumet Vision Committee

Roseland and Pullman historian Paul Petraitis will bring a lively, fresh presentation about Lake Calumet to the 5th District Police Station community room at 727 E. 111th Street., not far from the shores of the little-known "Chicago's Other Lake."

 We urge local residents to come and share their Lake Calumet area stories. Years-ago accounts of fishing, hunting, swimming, exploring, etc. will make this a fun night to reminisce and to learn about future plans.

ALL are invited: refreshments, Q and A, and discussion to follow. Safe, free parking in police station parking lot.

Sponsored by the Calumet Heritage Partnership and Calumet Ecological Park Assn.