Last updated: 3/31/2009
1013 North Long DriveSyracuse, IN 46542
Monday - Friday
1 PM - 5 PM
And by Appointment
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Eloise Kuhn
phone:
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Curtis Smeltzer
phone:
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Located in Syracuse, Indiana in the Syracuse Community Center across from Lakeside Park, the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum, has been offering a glimpse back in time for the Lakeland area since 1987. It was founded with funds gained from the Syracuse Sequicentennial 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.
The Museum often sponsors historic cruises of Lake Wawasee on the S. S. Lilly Pad. As the boat cruises the shoreline, passengers learn about the geology, geography and history of Lake Wawasee as well as the individuals and institutions that have shaped its history. Proceeds are used to help maintain the Museum. The historic cruise brochure is available here for print at home.
Other events such as Bingo, chicken BBQ, and silent auctions help to support the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum.
Center Stage at the museum is the 1905 Mier car designed and built by local resident, Sheldon Harkless. Mr. Harkless sold the car's design rights to the Mier Carriage Co. of Ligonier. The company produced only about 10 cars and this is one of the two known survivors.
Many other items are on display, including: a complete collection of class portraits of graduating classes of both Syracuse and Wawasee High Schools; trophies from the schools; an extensive collection of Native American artifacts found in surrounding fields; a mastodon tooth; Army and Navy uniforms; a scuptured bust of Chief Wawasee; a 400 year old grandfather clock; the telephone switchboard from the Spink Hotel; an antique washing machine; an engine from a tugboat used to push marl loaded barges to the former cement plant on Syracuse Lake; oil paintings (mostly by Ken Harkless) of scenes depicting life as it was years ago in Syracuse; and many photos of local scenes. Most of the Museum's photos have been preserved in the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical DVD, which can be viewed in the museum and is also available for purchase.
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