Museums in:

La Porte, Indiana

General, History, Historical Society, Library, Specialized

We have thousands of items on permanent display. We are now able to have more programs that involve the community. We try to have a current display that changes every few months.

The majority of the downstairs level of the museum is given over to the W. A Jones Collection of Ancient Weapons. William A. Jones owned an iron foundry in Chicago, traveling around the world in search of items for his collection. Many of the guns you can see on display were purchased in such faraway locations as Mexico City, Paris, Dublin, Constantinople, Jerusalem, Cairo, as well as all over the United States.

On view in the La Porte County Historical Society Museum is the Kesling Automobile Collection, consisting of more than 30 vintage automobiles collected by Dr. Peter C.

Archaeology, Culture, General, History, Historical Society, Library, Military, Natural History

We are housed in a spacious, Colonial-style building with ample parking and lawns for outside events. Listed by the American Automobile Association as a 'GEM Site,' we offer interesting, educational displays 5 days a week, along with special events such as our annual Civil War Weekend in June, and Old Car Show in July. Special theme displays, guest speakers, and more are routinely scheduled.

General, History, Historical Society, Library, Specialized

The private collection of Dr. Peter C. Kesling has been displayed for years at the The Door Prairie Auto Museum. With Dr. Kesling retirement, the museum is no longer operating as an independent museum collection. Instead, The Kesling Automobile Collection is now on display at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum. The website link provided will take you that MuseumsUSA listing!

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MUSEUM CONFERENCES

March 10 - March 13, 2026

California Association of Museums 2026 Annual Conference

Omni Hotel

Los Angeles, California

CAM is hard at work planning for the 2026 conference, set to take place from March 10–13, 2026 in Los Angeles. We look forward to highlighting best practices and innovative ideas from California's museum community at CAM 2026: Reframing

Reframing encapsulates the tangible nature of museum work–what we restore, revive, and rebuild–and the intangible nature of museum work–where we reflect, interpret, educate, and shift perspectives. On a larger scale, Reframing gives us the power to redefine who we are, why we’re important, and how we connect with and show up for our community. Reframing is resistance and resilience.

We look forward to reuniting with the California museum community in Los Angeles, March 10–13, 2026 at the Omni Hotel. Stay tuned for more annual conference developments.

April 29 - May 2, 2026

Oregon Museum Association 2026 Conference

Woodburn, Oregon

OMA will join forces with Oregon Heritage for a spring conference in Woodburn

Save the Date: 2026 Conference

For more information, please call !!!.

February 16 - February 18, 2026

Small Museum Association 42nd Annual Conference 2026

The Yorktowne Hotel, York, Pennsylvania

York, Pennsylvania

42nd Annual Conference: Climate Chang

Explore how museums are dealing with the challenges of climate change, from more extreme weather events to changing community needs. Join other small museum professionals and volunteers in discussing the key role small museums can play in educating, engaging, and supporting their communities in the face of changing physical and social climates

About the Conferenc

The annual SMA conference attracts more than 300 museum professionals, board members, and volunteers from a wide variety of small museums. They attend sessions on topics ranging from collections and education to staffing and board issues. We offer a large Museum Resource Hall and plenty of informal networking opportunities for you to talk with (and get ideas from!) other small museum professionals and volunteers.