Press release from The History Center:
Busy November ahead for The History Center
The History Center will host a wide variety of events in November including the opening days of the 25th annual Festival of Gingerbread.
November 6 and 7 are Traders Days at the Chief Richardville House, 5705 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne. Traders Days events are free to the public and are open Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
Vendors, craftsmen and artists sell quality Native American items including fine art, gourd work, beading, carved wood pieces, corn husk dolls, Christmas ornaments, Native American shields, jewelry, clothing, feather work, homemade baked goods and more.
A Miami long house is also being constructed at the Chief Richardville House and will be available to tour as well as the home of Chief Richardville.
A lecture and book signing on November 7 by Joe Krom entitled “Between Two Cultures: The Home of William Wells and Sweet Breeze at Fort Wayne” will complete this fall’s series of the George R. Mather Lectures, sponsored by the Dunsire Family Foundation and the History Center.
All lectures in the series are free to the public and held at the History Center, 302 East Berry Street, Fort Wayne at 2 pm.
Krom’s latest book is “Heart of a Warrior” about William Wells and his Miami Indian wife, Sweet Breeze. In “Heart of a Warrior” Krom writes of the frontier from the viewpoint of Sweet Breeze, the daughter of Miami Chief Little Turtle, and her husband William Wells.
Known as Wild Carrot, Wells was raised in tribal villages after being taken captive during his youth. Krom chronicles Wells’ adventures as a Miami warrior, as a peace negotiator, as a scout for General Anthony Wayne, and finally as a government agent.
To mark the centennial of Fort Wayne’s Quest Club, a book of essays by members has been published and will go on sale November 8 at the History Center.
“Quest Club: The First 100 Years” is a compilation of some of the more noteworthy essays given by members.
The book retails for $25 and has a limited printing.
The book includes a foreword written at the age of 102 by the late Allen Steere. Steere was an executive of the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, who knew some of the founding members of Quest. Eighteen essays are contained in the work, illustrating the breadth of topics discussed by the club over the years.
On November 13, the public is invited to a free concert at 2 p.m. commemorating Veteran’s Day.
The Festival of Gingerbread, now in its 25th year, begins with a premier party on November 23 and continues until December 12, raising money for support of the History Center and its programs.
Tickets for the premiere party are $20 per person and include hors d’oeuvres and entertainment. Contact Stephanie Essex, events coordinator, at 260.426.2882 ext 308 for more information.
On Wednesday, November 24, downtown Fort Wayne’s Lighting Night will give visitors to the History Center a sneak peek at the gingerbread creations when HolidayFest kicks off the season. Admission to the Lighting Night showing, scheduled for 5 to 9 p.m., is $2 per person with tickets available at the door.
Over 10,000 people annually visit the gingerbread displays and take part in special events throughout the Festival.
The Festival has grown to include over 100 creations designed and made by entrants from the lower elementary grades to professional culinary artists who vie to win prizes in the multiple levels of entries. A special category has been created for this Silver Anniversary which has as its title sponsor Lutheran Health Network.
During the Festival, exhibits including the Wolf and Dessauer display of animatronic dolls and “The Night Before Christmas” watercolors that once adorned the Patterson Fletcher Department Store, are on display.
Special events include:
Saturday, November 27th, 1:00PM to 3:00PM, Create Your Own Ornament
Sunday, November 28th, 1:00PM to 3:00PM, Holiday Storytelling
Tuesday, November 30th, 5:00PM to 9:00PM, Free Night – Sponsored by AEP Indiana-Michigan Power
Saturday, December 4th, 1:00PM to 3:00PM, Visit with Santa Claus
Sunday, December 5th, 1:00PM to 3:00PM, “History of Holiday Traditions in Different Cultures” lecture by Sara Gabbard
Saturday, December 11th, 1:00PM to 3:00PM, Science of Sugary Structures, $3 per person, sponsored by PNC Bank and Science Central
Sunday, December 12th, 1:00PM to 3:00PM., Cookie Decorating Party, $1 per person
Hours during the Festival of Gingerbread are Monday through Thursday 9 am to 5 pm; Friday 9 am to 8 pm; Saturday 9 am to 5 pm; and Sunday Noon to 5 pm. The History Center will be closed Thanksgiving Day.
Admission is $5 adults, $3 seniors and students, and free to children age 5 and under. There is no extra charge for special activities or events unless indicated. School or private groups can receive a discounted rate by scheduling in advance. Call Leanna Harney, education coordinator, at 260.426.2882 x309.
For more information, visit www.fwhistorycenter.com, or call 260.426.2882.
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