Syracuse- Wawasee
Historical Museum
1013 North Long Drive Syracuse, IN 46567
“To preserve items which relate to families, businesses, and industries of the Syracuse-Wawasee area and which will serve to foster a better understanding of people and events which have made the community what it is today.”
Museum Services & Resources
The Syracuse – Wawasee Historical museum offers programs and recourses for all ages!
Programs and Events!
Throughout the year we offer a wide variety of programming for children and adults alike, both on location at the historical site and in our facility in the Syracuse Community Center. Things like archaeological talks, Historical walks, Centennial programs and much more!
Mier Car
Built in 1908, and one of only two known to exists, our Meir car is a well preserved beauty!
Dolan Native American Collection
Our very large Native American weapon and tool collection is very complete and represents most if not all of the kind of stone tools that the 1st Nations Peoples used in this area.
Chief Papakeechie
Chief Papakeechie was the most influential Miami chief in the region around Lake Wawasee, in what is now Kosciusko County, leading his people from 1820 until 1837. Lake Papakeechie was named after him.
Our History
UpComing Events:
In Search Of...
The museum is always looking for unique items to add to the collection. Please keep in mind when donating that we keep the history of the Syracuse and Wawasee lakes area, and any artifacts that should belong to a different museum’s collection will be sent to them in due course. If you have any questions about anything you would like to donate, please feel free to call the museum and ask.
JULY 4th: Closed
JULY 13th @ 10:30am – Centennial Programs: The Southeastern Shore of Lake Wawasee; Part 1
JULY 20th @ Oakwood Park at 4pm: Walk Down Memory Lane in cooperation with Chautauqua-Wawasee.
August 10 at 10:30am: Centennial Programs – The Southeastern Shore of Lake Wawasee, Part 2
September 12-14: Archaeology Month Programs in cooperation with Chautauqua-Wawasee:
*September 12 @ 6:30pm: Tools & Weapons of Indigenous Peoples
*September 13 @ 6:30pm: Archaeology of the French in Northern Indiana
*September 14 @ WACF, 10am-12pm: Multiple presenters: Bring Your Own Artifact, Five Medals Living History, 1754 French Marine, Atlatl Weapon Demonstration, Flintknapping Demonstration, and Metal Detecting in Archaeology Demonstration.
Get Involved
It costs an average of $100 per day for the museum to maintain its collections. Without your support, we cannot keep providing historical services to you, the public. The museum has been under a renovation this spring to update with drywall repair, painting, carpet replacement, and display updating and development to make it a more inviting and accessible space for you to enjoy. We have in recent years made updates on lighting, storage, and other needed updates. These updates are not included in the daily operations cost. Please consider donating today. Donations are accepted through the “DONATE” button below, mail, or in person during business hours. All donations are tax deductible, according to the law. Thank you!
Would you like to know where museum funding is going? Go to the “About Us” menu and click “End-of-Year” where you will find a write-up of all of our activities for the years of 2021-2022 with the most recent year’s coming soon.
Hours We Are Open:
