Welcome to the
Duneland Historical Society

The Duneland Historical Society (DHS) is an organization, founded in 1984 and dedicated to researching, sharing, and celebrating the history of the people and the communities of Northern Porter County, Indiana.  

The DHS offers seven programs each year as a part of their February to May and September to November meetings.  The programs are on a variety of local and regional historical topics as well as current events related to the Duneland area, defined by Westchester, Liberty, Pine and Jackson townships in Porter County and includes the communities of Chesterton, Porter, Burns Harbor, Beverly Shores and Dunes Acres.

The programs are on the third Thursday of the respective month and start at 7pm.  The DHS meets at the Baugher Center located at 100 W. Indiana Avenue in Chesterton, Indiana.  All programs are open to the public and ​free of charge. 

The DHS works closely with the Westchester Township History Museum, although they are separate entities.  The museum curator, Serena Ard, serves as the museum liaison on the historical society's board.
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Upcoming Programs

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE:  We are still living with the COVID-19 pandemic, as a result, all in-person programs, events and meetings are still CANCELLED until further notice.​

2021 Virtual Programs

In compliance with Indiana and local COVID-19 regulations, we are still unable to meet face to face in real time.  Westchester T0wnship History Museum staff are still creating virtual programs and slide shows.  You can find these programs under the Public Programs tab above. 
From the Collections at Westchester Township
History Museum
Picture

                      Jesse Morgan’s Gun
​Believed to have been owned by Benjamin Franklin, this gun was given to Chief Half King in 1752 after signing a peace treaty in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  A medal medallion on the stock is inscribed: “On behalf of the Greater Council of Pennsylvania to CHK.” 
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According to family legend, the gun later came to Killbuck, a Delaware chief, who presented it to Jesse Morgan on behalf of the “Indians of Indiana” as a token of gratitude for Jesse Morgan’s to them.  The gun shows evidence of having been retrofitted with hardware of a later period, possibly during the Civil War.