Photos from Children's Activity Day

The museum hosted a children's activity day on December 29. "The Band Instrument Capital of the World" event taught children about the history of band instrument manufacturing in Elkhart. Here are a few photos of the event.




The New Horizons Band taught children about different instruments and played a few songs for the crowd.

Exterior Banners Added to Museum's Annex

Three blue banners made by Sign Image and Design (Elkhart) were installed to the museum's exterior to add color and provide a marketing tool for the Elkhart County Park Department. Each banner includes a quilt pattern, the Park logo, and elements of the Park Mission Statement (Preservation, Recreation, and Education). Depending on the season or upcoming exhibit, the banners may be alternated in the future to match current programming.

2009 Museum Hours

Local kids had FUN Learning about Christmas Traditions

Children to Learn about Band Instrument Industry

Bristol, IN – Looking for a fun and educational family event over winter break? The Elkhart County Historical Museum has the answer for you! On Monday, December 29th, the museum will host a children’s activity day celebrating Elkhart’s history as the “band instrument capital of the world.” From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. children can stop by the museum to experience crafts, hands-on activities, and, of course, music.

Children will have the opportunity to make their own instruments out of recycled materials and experience what it was like to work on a factory assembly line. They will also make a marching band hat complete with feathered plume and learn to identify musical instruments. After completing each station, children will receive a sticker and once they collect 6 stickers the child can enter a drawing to win a historical themed gift.

“We started out wanting to give kids and parents something fun to do over their winter break,” says Curator of Education Rebecca Oestreich. “We chose the band industry as a topic because of our local history as well as its continued popularity in the community. In fact, because of a push from some leaders of Elkhart’s instrument manufacturers that local school band programs are so prevalent today.”

As a special treat, members of The New Horizons Band will be the museum at 1:00 p.m. to demonstrate their band instruments to the crowd. “While we do have some Elkhart-made band instruments on display in the museum, actually seeing the instruments being handled and hearing what they sound like will complete the experience,” says Oestreich. “After all, that’s what band instruments are meant for –- playing.”

All Children’s Activity Days are free admission. For more information, please contact Oestreich at 574-848-4322 or rebecca@elkhartcountyparks.org.

Museum to Host Quilt Study Day

Museum to Celebrate 19th Century Christmas Traditions

The Elkhart County Historical Museum invites children and families to explore 19th century Christmas traditions through fun holiday crafts and activities.

On Saturday, December 13th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm the museum will be hosting a Children’s Activity Day that features ornament making, popcorn stringing, Christmas card decorating, and carol singing. Santa will also stop in to read a special Christmas story and listen to what you want for Christmas. A challenging “I-Spy” scavenger hunt through the museum’s exhibits and some tasty treats will round out the day.

“Many of our current Christmas traditions, such as caroling and sending Christmas cards, originated back in the 19th century,” says Curator of Education Rebecca Oestreich. “They’ve evolved over time so it’s fun to see how they’ve changed.”

In coordination with this event, the Bristol Public Library will have special 19th century Christmas themed displays and activities planned from now until the Children’s Activity Day on December 13th. For example, the library will feature a preschool reading week complete with story time and Christmas crafts.

“One of our goals at the Elkhart County Historical Museum is to work more with other community organizations. The Bristol Public Library is practically across the street from the museum so it was natural for us to look to partner with them for an event such as this,” says Oestreich.

In fact, the museum and library will be working together for all five of the Children’s Activity Days the museum has planned for the next year. So, families can look forward to weeklong activities based on the themes of the local music industry, Regional Native Americans, farm life, and immigrant holiday customs.

All Children’s Activity Days are free admission. For more information, please contact Oestreich at 574-848-4322 or rebecca@elkhartcountyparks.org.