Public Programs

Public Programs

The more you connect with Tippecanoe County history, the more it comes to life.

Stay connected, you don’t want to miss out! TCHA offers unique opportunities to engage with the past, whether you prefer lectures, tours, informal meet and greets, or interactive demonstrations, we’ll have something for you. So jump in – ask questions, offer opinions, listen, learn, and tour. We are constantly working to make the past enjoyable and accessible for you, so check out our programming calendar for the program that’s right for you.

Miss a program? View it on our You Tube Channel.

Apr
17
Thu
Planned Giving: How your long-term gift can benefit your community @ The History Center
Apr 17 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Join TCHA with special guests from Thrivent Financial to learn about Charitable Planning and ways to maximize your gift to your community. Whether you give to TCHA or other charities in our community, this information is valuable!
 
Here you’ll discover innovative strategies to optimize your giving, both now and in the future. You’ll learn about the types of assets you can donate, the mutual benefits for you and the organization,a nd the potential tax advantages.
 
Register now: bit.ly/TCHAxThrivent
 
FREE to attend and open to the public. You do not have to be a member of TCHA to attend this informational session.
 
Apr
26
Sat
Downtown Houses of Worship: Part 2 (FULL) @ TBA
Apr 26 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Discover the history and architectural beauty of Lafayette’s houses of worship! This tour is FREE, but reservation is required at bit.ly/TCHABicentennialTours25. We are limited to 25 participants. Five houses of worship will be visited.
Apr
29
Tue
School of the Artifact: Beads @ The History Center
Apr 29 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Presented by Leslie Martin Conwell and Rick Conwell

Tippecanoe County Historical Association’s “School of the Artifact” is a fun and engaging way to learn about the many artifacts found at Fort Ouiatenon (1717-1791), the first European settlement in Indiana. In this session, many of the glass, shell, ceramic, and bone beads found at Ouiatenon will be out on display, for viewers to learn about what beads were traded with the Indigenous local tribes. Viewing these beads will also help Feast participants learn what would be appropriate beads to wear for their Feast interpretation.

May
3
Sat
Greenbush Cemetery Tour @ Greenbush Cemetery
May 3 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Incorporated in 1848 by 23 prominent citizens, Greenbush was Lafayette’s second public cemetery, and its purpose was to provide the public with affordable burial plots. Learn more about the earliest Lafayette residents buried here in celebration of the Bicentennial!

 

Presented by staff and volunteers of TCHA

FREE! Registration is suggested but not required.

Register at bit.ly/TCHABicentennialTours25

 

May
15
Thu
An Untrammeled Voice: Jack Lillard and The Informer, Lafayette’s Black Newspaper @ The History Center
May 15 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Presented by Matt Meyer, Wabash College Digital Archivist
Lafayette’s Black community was historically centered in one neighborhood, which created strong bonds around shared experiences and institutions. One institution was The Informer, an independent newspaper published by Lafayette resident Jack Lillard. Published from 1969 to around 1972, The Informer remains the only Lafayette newspaper dedicated to Black news.
Jun
6
Fri
A Taste of the Past: Dinner on the Monon Rail Line @ The History Center
Jun 6 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

A Taste of the Past with renowned Chef Lauren Reed

June 6 Theme: A Meal on the Monon Rail Line

Chef Lauren is taking us on a train-ride with her take on iconic dishes that were served on the Monon Rail Line, which traveled through Indiana and Lafayette until it merged with CSX in 1971.

Plus…add our other dinners to your calendar:

June 20, July 26, August 15. All at 6 PM.

$65/person, call (765) 476-8411 ext 1 to register.

Menu:

  • The Monon Mocktail: Sparkling Ginger Lemonade
  • Cream of Asparagus Soup with Crouton and Chive
  • Egg Salad Bacon Canape with Tomato Jam and Greens
  • Composed Salad, topped with 1,000 Island or Celery Seed Dressing
  • Braised Beef Roulade with Whipped Duchess Potato
  • Railroad Cake topped with Raspberry Swirl and Chantilly Cream

 

Jun
17
Tue
Historic Walking Tour: A Photographic History of Downtown: Group 1 @ TBA
Jun 17 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Walk in the footsteps of photographers from the past as we explore sites in downtown Lafayette from the perspective of historic photographs from the Tippecanoe County Historical Association’s collection. Join the TCHA Curator to stand in the same spots that several historic photographs were taken and compare the past and present architecture in the view. Space is limited to 16 people per tour time. Reserve your spot at bit.ly/TCHABicentennialTours25
 
This tour takes place at 2 PM. The second tour of the day will begin at 6 PM. Registration is required!
Historic Walking Tour: A Photographic History of Downtown: Group 2 @ TBA
Jun 17 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Walk in the footsteps of photographers from the past as we explore sites in downtown Lafayette from the perspective of historic photographs from the Tippecanoe County Historical Association’s collection. Join the TCHA Curator to stand in the same spots that several historic photographs were taken and compare the past and present architecture in the view. Space is limited to 16 people per tour time. Reserve your spot at bit.ly/TCHABicentennialTours25
 
This tour takes place at 6 PM. The first tour of the day will begin at 2 PM. Registration is required!
Jun
18
Wed
Artifact Show & Tell: Ouiatenon Field School @ The History Center
Jun 18 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Presented by Archeology Field Students with Dr. Mike Strewzewski, Dr. Kory Cooper, and Cassie Apuzzo

Artifact Show and Tell and Excavation Progress Report from the 2025 Field Season. This program is open to the public, and free. Talk to Archeology students, anthropologists, and see the newest findings from their ‘25 Field School.

Jun
20
Fri
A Taste of the Past: From the Archives @ The History Center
Jun 20 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

A Taste of the Past with renowned Chef Lauren Reed

June 20 Theme: From the Archives

Enjoy delicious dishes inspired by cookbooks in TCHA’s Archive. Vintage recipes will be on display to see what Tippecanoe residents have eaten throughout history!

Plus…add our other dinners to your calendar:

July 26, August 15. All at 6 PM.

$65/person, call (765) 476-8411 ext 1 to register.

Menu:

  • Mocktail: Chilled Cider Toddy
  • Herb Bread with Whipped Butter
  • Tomato Bisque topped with Grilled Cheese Croutons
  • Sweet Corn Fritters with Grilled Ham, Pineapple Jelly, and Arugula
  • Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin with Roasted Sweet Potato, Marinated Mushrooms and Leeks
  • Indiana Sugar Cream Pie