Who We Are | Hours and Information | Mission Statement | Vision Statement | Rentals | Contact Us | Staff  | Board of Directors

Fort Wayne City Hall Building, c. 1901

Who We Are

The History Center is home to the Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society, its museum and collections.  When formed in 1921, the society's assets were few, consisting of some historical relics that had been preserved by the Mary Penrose Wayne Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Today it maintains a collection of more than 26,000 artifacts, photographs and documents representing the history of Fort Wayne and Allen County. The largest of these is the very building in which the society has resided since 1980--the 1893 City Hall building designed by Fort Wayne architects John F. Wing and Marshall S. Mahurin.  The History Center also oversees the historic Barr Street Market (adjacent to the building), the oldest public space in Fort Wayne, dating back to 1837, and the 1827 home of Miami Chief Jean Baptiste de Richardville.

Hours and Information

   History Center:
     Monday to Friday - 10 a.m to 5 p.m.
Saturday - Noon to 5 p.m.
First Sunday of the month (unless otherwise noted) - Noon to 5 p.m.
Admission: Adults - $5.00, Seniors and Students $3.00, Children age 5 and under - Free,  History Center Members - Free

Special Hours Apply for the Festival of Gingerbread. See our home page for those times.

Chief Richardville House:
First Saturday of each month, May through October - 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
First weekend in November for Traders Days, Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday Noon to 4 p.m.
Or by appointment (call 260.426.2882 x309).  

Mission Statement

To serve present and future generations by collecting, preserving, and sharing historic artifacts, documents, and images that describe the people, places, and events that define Fort Wayne and Allen County history.

Vision Statement

The Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society will be the leader in presenting the history, customs, traditions, and heritage of Fort Wayne and Allen County to the community through the use of creative and innovative techniques and technology.

Facility Rentals Information
If you would like to make your next event truly historic, our facilities are available for rental, including the picturesque Shields Room, which served as the former city council chamber when the building was still Fort Wayne's city hall. This room has been used for lectures, conferences, retirement parties, weddings and wedding receptions, and can comfortably seat up to 160 guests banquet-style, or can accomodate up to 200 guests for cocktail parties or lectures. A smaller room is also available for more intimate events, and a board room is available for your business meetings or smaller gatherings. For more information, click here, or call Steve Toor, events coordinator, at 260.426.2882 x308 or email steve.toor@fwhistorycenter.com.

Staff

Todd Maxwell Pelfrey - executive director
Robert Nern - finance coordinator
Walter Font - curator
Randy Elliott - exhibitor  
Kathryn Baker - administration and gift shop coordinator
Leanna Harney - education coordinator
Steve Toor - events coordinator
Nancy McCammon-Hansen - marketing coordinator
Phil Reifenrath - facilities coordinator

Board of Directors

PRIVACY POLICY:  To download a printable PDF version of the History Center's Privacy Policy, click here. 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:  To download a printable PDF version of the History Center's most recent Audited Financial Statements, click here.  
FORM 990: To download a printable PDF version of the History Center's most recent IRS Form 990, please click here.
Or, to have a printed copy of any of these documents mailed to you, please contact the History Center at histsociety@fwhistorycenter.com or call 260.426.2882.

For sponsorship information call 260.426.2882 x311.

The History Center is a BBB Accredited Charity. The History Center has been evaluated according to the 20 Better Business Bureau Standards for Charity Accountability and meets all those Standards.