Last updated: 3/3/2012
Portland, Indiana
Address
903 E. MAIN STREETPortland, IN 47371
phone: 260-726-7168
fax: 260-726-7178
e-mail: research@jaycountyhistory.org
web: www.jaycountyhistory.org/

Hours

Monday - Friday
10 AM - 4 PM

Museum Type(s)

Staff

Tom Young
phone:
Description

Come see our 11,000 square foot museum at the end of East Main in Portland, Indiana.

One of the most popular displays in the museum is our collection of graduation pictures from a time when there were eight high schools in the county. Those schools were Bryant, Dunkirk, Gray, Madison, Pennville, Poling, Portland, and Redkey. The high schools were consolidated in 1976.

History

John Jay Hawkins and his family settled in Jay County in 1829, and he was the first white man to die in the county. After much hard work and enterprise, his descendants became successful as bankers, merchants, attorneys and legislators.

Artifact Collections
Our Collections

Posted by Tom Young

About 1,000 items which had been originally displayed in the Daughters’ of the American Revolution room at the Jay County Courthouse and several large wooden and glass showcases were brought to the museum to begin our collection.

We have a large framed collection of graduating class pictures from the eight high schools which once covered the county. These are a focal point for individuals and families wanting to remember old friends or family members.

Our medical room contains a variety of medical and dental apparatus and instruments. We also have an iron lung which was used locally during the polio outbreak which devastated Jay County in the late 1940′s and early 1950′s.

Services
Museum Store

Our materials are divided into three categories. They are: •Children’s Books, •Fiction Books, •Non-fiction Books

Our Children’s Books are suitable for students in elementary school.

Our Fiction Books are historically correct. The characters are based on real people.

Our Non-fiction Books are divided into the following subcategories. They are: •Census, Directory & Land Books, •Cemetery Books, •Church Records, •Communities, •History Books, •Miscellaneous Books

Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Group Tours
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Museum Trustee Association Spring Forum 2024

April 10 - 14, 2024

Atlanta, Georgia

Texas Association of Museums 2024 Lubock Annual Conference

April 14 - 17, 2024

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2024 Colorado-Wyoming ANNUAL MEETING

May 1 - 4, 2024

Worland, Wyoming

West Virginia Association of Museums 2024 Conference

June 6 - 8, 2024

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

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