News and Events from 2014
New Item at the Museum! Flapper Dress
The museum recently acquired a new item that will be on display when the museum opens for the season, a wedding dress. The dress is a 1929 flapper style and was worn by Geneva Saxton when she married Lawrence Eberhardt. Geneva was the great-great daughter of Ebenezer Saxton, one of Merrillville's earliest settlers. Geneva (1909-1997) was born in Merrillville and lived her entire life here. She was well known as "The Avon Lady" since she sold Avon products for over 50 years!
This dress was only worn on June 8, 1929 when Geneva Saxton married Lawrence Eberhardt in Merrillville, Indiana.
The museum recently acquired a new item that will be on display when the museum opens for the season, a wedding dress. The dress is a 1929 flapper style and was worn by Geneva Saxton when she married Lawrence Eberhardt. Geneva was the great-great daughter of Ebenezer Saxton, one of Merrillville's earliest settlers. Geneva (1909-1997) was born in Merrillville and lived her entire life here. She was well known as "The Avon Lady" since she sold Avon products for over 50 years!
This dress was only worn on June 8, 1929 when Geneva Saxton married Lawrence Eberhardt in Merrillville, Indiana.
- Happy Holidays and Member of the Year!
Additionally, we would like to recognize our 2014 Member of the Year, Ed Boer
- 11/11 - Merrillville Veterans Day Ceremony
Pictured Speakers:
Top Left: Richard Hardaway
Top Right: Alice Smedstad
Bottom Left Randy Scott
Bottom Right: Lonnie Randolph
Top Left: Richard Hardaway
Top Right: Alice Smedstad
Bottom Left Randy Scott
Bottom Right: Lonnie Randolph

- 9/15 - Special Presentation with Jack Kemp
Also pictured adjacent to Jack are fellow Vietnam veterans John Essex and Jim Hasse.
Click here to read the full article on the NWI Times website. |
- 9/8 - Interesting Article on the naming of some Merrillville Schools
- 9/06 - Education in region grit behind some school names by Marc Chase
- 8/11 - New Exhibit now Open!!
The exhibit's opening was recently featured in this NWI Times article.
- 06/14 - Read our Article on 2013-14 NBA Coach of the Year, Gregg Popovich!
- 06/14 - BLAIRWALK UPDATE!
Just a short note to say a big Thank You for opening up your historical society, meeting with me and others, and helping make my walk across Indiana memorable. I really do like what you all are doing there in Ross Township and Merrillville at the school, with signage, and more. As always, if we can do anything to assist you, we sure will.
The walk took 11 days and was a bit cold at times, though I was able to dodge the rain for the most part. We raised over $15,000 too so that part was good for both the Alzheimer’s Association and Lincoln Highway Association.
All the best and thanks to your whole team!
-Jeff Blair
- 05/14 - Historic District Coming!
- 05/14 - Bruce Staehli - MIA Vietnam Soldier Not Forgotten