Calumet Heritage Resources Directory

Local archives, such as the ones listed here, can play a major role in telling stories of national importance. While these are not all of the heritage resources found within the Calumet Region, the organizations listed below are a rich sampling of the archives and historical centers throughout the region. We’ve highlighted a few noteworthy organizations as well.

The information listed here is newly compiled by The Field Museum on 10/26/2013. If we have missed any sources of local history, please contact Madeleine Tudor at [email protected] so that the resource guide can be updated.

A printable version of the Calumet Heritage Resources Directory is available in PDF format.

Chicago Public Library, Calumet Region Collection

Explore the local history of Pullman, Riverdale, Roseland, South Deering and South Holland while in the heart of downtown Chicago. Bulletins, photographs, brochures, yearbooks and local family histories from as early as 1850 are included in the CPL’s extensive collection.

Harold Washington Library Center
Special Collections and Preservation Division Reading Room, Floor 9
400 South State Street
Chicago, IL 60605

Phone: (312) 747-4875
Website: www.chipublib.org/cplbooksmovies/cplarchive/archivalcoll/crcc.php

Hours: Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Friday – Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Chicago State University, Calumet Environmental Resources Center

The Calumet Environmental Resources Center (CERC) is a unique resource library, meeting place and referral network where local community residents, government officials, nonprofit environmental organizations and others can learn about and respond to pressing environmental issues.  The CERC’s extensive resource collection is constantly expanding and contains a comprehensive assortment of reports, documents, maps, books, photographs, scientific research papers and industry profiles.

Williams Science Center
9501 S. King Drive
Chicago, IL 60628

Phone: (773) 995-2964
Website: http://www.csu.edu/cerc/
Hours: By appointment Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

 

Indiana University Northwest, Calumet Regional Archives

Dedicated to preserving and documenting the history of Indiana’s Calumet region for the use of scholars, students and the general public. Diaries, scrapbooks, maps, pamphlets, photographs and films provide a rich resource on a variety of topics in the Calumet history. A user friendly website makes information readily available to the public.

John W. Anderson Library
3400 Broadway
Gary, IN 46408

Phone: (219) 980-6580
Website: http://www.iun.edu/~cra/

Hours: Monday – Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Pullman State Historic Site Archives

Gain a better understanding of the complex national and international influences on Pullman’s industrial society throughout the 19th and 20th century. The Pullman State Historic Site, the Southeast Chicago Historical Society, and the Calumet Heritage Partnership have also made a concerted effort to make much of the industrial archives accessible online.

11111 S. Forrestville Avenue
Chicago, IL 60628

Phone: (773) 660-2341
Website: www.pullman-museum.org/

Hours: By appointment only Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. or Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Ryerson/Burnham Libraries of the Art Institute of Chicago

View photographs of the Calumet Club, the Calumet National Bank and other architectural landmarks of the Calumet region during the Libraries’ new extended hours. Make sure to check out the website for quick and easy search of archival collections and view photographs digitally.

111 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60603-6404

Phone: (312) 443-7292
Website: http://www.artic.edu/research

Hours: Public Hours: Wednesdays and Fridays 1:00–5:00 and Thursdays 10:30–8:00; Research Appt: Mondays and Tuesdays 1:00–5:00

South East Chicago Historical Society
South East Chicago James P. Fitzgibbons Historical Museum

The history of industrialization, unionization, immigration, and urbanization in Chicago’s Southeast side are preserved by this Society. Active in the community since 1977, it established the Fitzgibbons Historical Museum and several restoration projects in the region.

9801 S. Avenue G
Chicago, IL 60617

Phone: (773) 721-7948
Website: http://www.neiu.edu/~reseller/sesidewlcme.html

Hours: Thursday 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.

South Suburban Genealogical and Historical Society

Genealogists and researchers, beginning and advanced, can utilize the wealth of local records and history curated by this society. Library facilities are available and well suited to meetings and research. Eleven monthly newsletters and regular outreach education programs make information accessible to anyone interested in this historical region.

3000 West 170th  Place
Hazel Crest, IL 60429-1174

Phone: (708) 335-3340
Website: www.ssghs.org

Hours: Monday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Tuesday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Thursday CLOSED, Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., First and Second Saturday of the month 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday CLOSED

 

Additional Resources

Beverly Shores Historic Passenger Depot, South Shore Line

525 Broadway
Beverly Shores, IN

Phone: (219) 871-0832

Hours: Open Sat. and Sun., May thru December

Blue Island History Museum

Blue Island Public Library lower level
2433 York Street
Blue Island, IL 60406

Monday 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Friday-Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday CLOSED

Website: http://blueislandhistory.org/

Blue Island Historical Society

Albee House
13018 Maple Avenue
Blue Island, IL 60406

Phone: (708) 371-8546

Website: https://blueislandhistoricalsociety.com

Hours: By appointment only or scheduled event

Buckley Homestead

3606 Belshaw Road
Lowell, Indiana

Phone: (219) 696-0769

Website: http://www.lakecountyparks.com/parks/buckley_homestead.html

Hours: May – October weekends and reservations

Calumet City Historical Society

760 Wentworth Avenue
Calumet City, IL 60409

Phone: (708) 832-9390

Website: www.lakenetnwi.org/member/cchs

Hours: Thursday 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Calumet Heritage Partnership

13300 S. Baltimore
Chicago, IL 60633

Phone: (312) 646-0436

Website: www.calumetheritage.org

Century of Progress Architectural District

Lake Front Drive,
Beverly Shores, IN

Phone: (219) 874-5322

Hours: Drive by viewing only

Chicago History Museum

1601 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614

Phone: (312) 642-4600

Website: www.chicagohistory.org/research

Hours: Monday CLOSED, Tuesday – Friday 1:00 – 4:30 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Sunday CLOSED

Chicago Public Library
Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature

9525 S. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60628

Phone: (312) 747-6900

Website: http://www.chipublib.org/branch/details/library/woodson-regional/p/FeatHarsh/

Hours: Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Friday – Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Chicago Public Library
Chicago Defender & Chicago Tribune Historical Archives

Website: http://www.chipublib.org/cplbooksmovies/research/database_atoz.php

Crown Point Community Library, Indiana Room

122 N. Main St
Crown Point, IN 46307

Phone: (219) 663-0270

Website: http://crownpointlibrary.org/

Hours: Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Deep River County Park/ Wood Historic Grist Mill

9410 Old Lincoln Hwy
Hobart, IN 46342

Phone: (219) 947-1958

Website: http://www.lakecountyparks.com/activities/deep_river/woods_mill.html

Hours: Sunday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Gary Historical and Cultural Society

1 East Gateway Park
Gary, IN 46402

Phone: (219) 882-6873

Website: http://ghcsinc.tripod.com/

Hours: Monday – Friday, Weekends by appointment only

Governors State University Library

1 University Parkway
University Park, IL 60484-0975

Phone: (708) 534-5000

Website: www.govst.edu/library

Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Griffith Historical Park & Depot Museum

Griffith, IN 46319
Phone: (219) 924-9019

Website: http://www.griffithhistoricalsociety.org/

Hours: June – August, Sunday 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Hammond Public Library, Susan G. Long Local History Room

564 State Street
Hammond, IN 46320

Phone: (219) 931-5100 x306

Website: www.hammond.lib.in.us
or http://www.hammond.lib.in.us/PDF/Brochures/Calumet%20Room%2004.pdf?

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 12:00 – 5:00 p.m., Wednesday 12:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Henry Morgan Mansion

700 W. Porter Ave.
Chesterton, IN 46304

Phone: (219) 983-3600

Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

HeritageQuest Online

Website: www.heritagequestonline.com

Hessville Historical Society
Little Red Schoolhouse

7205 Kennedy Ave.
Hammond, IN 46320

Phone: (219) 844-5666

Hours: By appointment only

Highland Historical Society

2450 Lincoln St.
Highland, IN 46322

Hours: Saturday 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Historical Society of Ogden Dunes
Hour Glass Museum

8 Lupine Lane
Ogden Dunes, IN

Phone: (219) 762-8665

Website: http://odhistory.org/

Hours: Third Sunday of the month 1:30 – 4:00 p.m.

Historical Society of Porter County

See Porter County Museum

Hobart Historical Society Museum

706 E. Fourth St.
Hobart, IN 46342

Phone: (219) 942-0970

Website: http://hobarthistoricalsociety.org/

Hours: Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum

507 Mulberry St.
North Judson, IN 46366

Phone: (574) 223-3834

Website: http://www.hoosiervalley.org/

Hours: Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. (winter weather permitting)

Illinois Digital Archives

Website: www.idaillinois.org

Lake County Historical Society Museum

Old Lake Courthouse
Courthouse Square, Suite 202
Crown Point, IN  46307

Phone: (219) 662-3975

Website: http://crownpoint.net/museum.htm

Hours: May – October, Thursday – Saturday 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. or by appointment

Lake of the Red Cedars Museum

7408 Constitution Ave.
Cedar Lake, IN 46303

Phone: (219) 871-0832

Website: http://www.cedarlakehistory.org/museum.php

Hours: Thursday – Sunday 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

LaPorte County Historical Society Museum

809 State Street
LaPorte, IN 46350

Phone: (219) 326-6808 x276

Website: www.lapcohistsoc.org

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Marktown Historic District

405 Prospect Street
Hammond, IN 46320

Phone: (219) 397-2239

Website: http://www.marktown.org/tour.html

Hours: Tours by appointment only

Matteson Historical Museum

813 School Ave.
Matteson, IL 60443

Phone: (708) 748-3033

Website: http://www.villageofmatteson.org/departments/historicalmuseum/

Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Melvin A. Halsted Home

201 East Main Street
Lowell, IN 46356

Phone: (219) 696-8137

Hours: By appointment only

Merrillville-Ross Township Historical Museum

13 West 73rd Ave.
Merrillville, IN 46321

Hours: Open May – October every Sunday 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Munster Historical Society

Kaske House
1005 Ridge Road
Munster, IN 46321

Phone: 219-836-6530

Website: http://www.munsterhistory.org/_index.php

Hours: Open the second and fourth Saturday of the month

Newberry Library

60 West Walton Street
Chicago, IL 60610

Phone: (312) 943- 9090

Website: www.newberry.org

Hours: Monday Reading Rooms CLOSED Exhibition Galleries 8:15 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday – Friday Reading Rooms 9:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. Exhibition Galleries 8:15 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., Saturday Reading Rooms 9:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. Exhibition Galleries 8:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday CLOSED

Park Forest Historical Society

400 Lakewood Blvd
Park Forest, IL 60466

Phone: (708) 747-3571

Website: www.parkforesthistory.org

Park Forest 1950s House Museum

141 Forest Blvd
Park Forest, IL 60466

Website: www.parkforesthistory.org/museum-home.html

Hours: Wednesday and Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Closed January and most major holidays

Park Forest Local History Collection and Archive

St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Room 2
227 Monee Road
Park Forest, IL 60466

Website: www.parkforesthistory.org/archive-home.html

Hours: Friday 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. or by appointment

Portage Historical Society
Countryside Museum

5250 E. US Hwy 6
Portage, IN 46383

Phone: (219) 762-8349

Hours: Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Website: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inpchs/

Porter County Museum (PoCoMuse)

153 S. Franklin St.
Valparaiso, IN 46383

Phone: (219) 465-3595
[email protected]

Website: http://pocomuse.org/

Hours: 9 a.m. -5:00 p.m.  Wednesday through Saturday, except during most holidays, with extended hours on Thursday nights until 8 p.m.

Ridge Historical Society

10621 S. Seeley Avenue
Chicago, IL 60643

Phone: (773) 881-1675

Website: www.ridgehistoricalsociety.org

Hours: Tuesday 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., Thursday and Sunday by appointment only

Riverdale Historical Society

208 W 144th St
Riverdale, IL 60827

Hours: Monday-Tuesday 12-8; Wednesday 10-6; Saturday 10-4

Schererville Historical Society – #2 Township School

1515 Old Lincoln Hwy.
Schererville, IN 46375

Phone: (219) 322-5428

Hours: By appointment only

South Suburban Archaeological Society

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.arkyfacts.org

South Suburban Earth Science Club

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.amfed.org/mwf/states/Illinois/SouthSuburban.html

South Suburban Heritage Association

P.O. Box 917
Homewood, IL 60430

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://march14th.org/

Starke County Historical Society

401 S. Main Street
Knox, IN 46534

Phone: (574) 772-5393

Website: http://www.starkehistory.com/index.htm

Hours: Tuesday – Friday 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Village of Thornton Historical Society

114 N. Hunter Street
Thornton, IL 60476

Phone: (708) 877-6569

Website: http://www.thornton60476.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={7F5AF14E-8F44-4331-AB8D-9FC8008FA818}

Hours: Every Saturday May – October 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., First and third Saturdays January – April 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Other times by appointment