Welcome to the DHS

This is the official website of the Duneland Historical Society (DHS), an organization dedicated to researching, sharing, and celebrating the history of the people and communities of Northern Porter County, Indiana.  

The Duneland Historical Society meets the third Thursday of the month February through May and September through November at 7:30 p.m. at the Westchester Public Library Service Center, 100 W. Indiana Ave., Chesterton. Each meeting is open to the public free of charge. 

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News & Events

Saturday, September 13, 1-5 p.m.--Chesterton and Porter History Hunt
The Westchester Township History Museum will host its 3rd annual History Hunt through Chesterton and Porter. The public is invited to participate in this Amazing Race-style event (without the competition). Participants must solve puzzles and complete challenges to get to each historic location. Begin the hunt by 3:30 p.m. at the Museum to ensure completion. A treat awaits those who complete the hunt. For more information, contact the Westchester Township History Museum at 219-983-9715.

Thursday, September 18--The Prairie Club and the Indiana Dunes State Park (above images from the Prairie Club Archives, Westchester Township History Museum)
Westchester Township History Museum Curator, Serena Sutliff, will present the story of how the Prairie Club helped create the Indiana Dunes State Park. The Prairie Club began as a group of Chicagoans who enjoyed nature walks in the dunes and became a force in the movement to conserve the dunes as a national park. When other national concerns impeded their plans for a national park, the Club turned their attention to the new Indiana State Park system and helped create the Indiana Dunes State Park. The presentation will include numerous photographs from the Prairie Club Archives, which are housed at the Museum.