Fort Wayne Old City Hall Building

The Fort Wayne Old City Hall Building in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana operates as a museum known as The History Center, and has served as headquarters for the Allen County–Fort Wayne Historical Society since 1980. The Richardsonian Romanesque style sandstone building was designed by the architectural firm Wing & Mahurin and built in 1893. It served as a functioning city hall for the city until 1971 when local officials moved to the City-County Building.[2][3]

Fort Wayne City Hall
Though once functioning as Fort Wayne's City Hall, the building now houses The History Center
Location302 East Berry Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Coordinates41°4′46.13″N 85°8′10.67″W
Area1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built1893
ArchitectWing & Mahurin
Architectural styleRichardsonian Romanesque
NRHP reference No.73000027[1]
Added to NRHPJune 4, 1973

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[1]

The History Center has collected 27,000 artifacts in permanent displays dedicated to the region's history, dating from the Ice Age to the 18th century to present.[4]

The Society also owns the National Historic Landmark Chief Jean Baptiste de Richardville House.[5]

Exhibits
  • Earliest Inhabitants, tools, weapons, a mastodon's broken rib bone and large tooth are displayed.
  • Miami Indian History, images of Pacanne, Little Turtle, and Jean Baptiste de Richardville displayed, along with collections on the Miami Indian capital, Kekionga. Miami chief Little Turtle's items displayed include his watch and sword presented to him by President George Washington. Exhibit also includes a model of a typical 18th-century Miami village.
  • Anthony Wayne, exhibits the birth of Fort Wayne with General "Mad" Anthony Wayne's ordering of a fort to be built at the three rivers, October 22, 1794.
  • An Emerging City, includes a model of and parts of the Wabash and Erie Canal, attributed to turning the city into a boom-town in the 19th century.
  • Industry, includes a recreation of a blacksmith shop, as well as noting Fort Wayne resident Sylvanus Bowser, creator of the self-measuring gasoline pump.
  • Allen County Innovation, a new gallery opened in 2012, features a number of the products that were created and produced by entrepreneurs in Fort Wayne and Allen County.
Entrance

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. The History Center - About Us. Retrieved on 2008-05-01.
  3. "Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD)" (Searchable database). Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. Retrieved 2015-07-01. Note: This includes David R. Vervalin (October 1972). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Fort Wayne City Hall" (PDF). Retrieved 2015-07-01. and Accompanying photographs
  4. The History Center - Collections. Retrieved on 2008-05-01.
  5. The History Center - Chief Richardville House. Retrieved on 2008-05-01.
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