The History Center

Mather Lectures Series | Festival of Gingerbread | Special Events | Barr Street Market

The George R. Mather Sunday Lecture Series

In 1993, while serving on the board of directors at the History Center, the Rev. George R. Mather proposed

a series of free Sunday afternoon lectures on topics that influenced Fort Wayne and Allen County history.

                           This lecture series has been renamed in his memory.

The George R. Mather Lecture Series is made possible with support from the Dunsire Family Foundation.

All lectures in this series are free to the public and begin at 2 p.m.

June 2: Todd Maxwell Pelfrey, Fort Wayne's Park and Boulevard System: A Centennial Perspective

The Mather Lectures draw a diverse crowd. Michael Galbraith, executive director of ARCH, gave the October 2012 Lecture on the Chief Richardville House.

Miami Indian Heritage Days at the Chief Richardville House, 5705 Bluffton Road,
opens May 4 and runs the first Saturday of each month through November.
See the Chief Richardville House page for more information.

SPECIAL EVENTS:
YLNI BARR STREET FARMERS MARKET--Opens May 25. See you Memorial Day Weekend!
Each summer, the History Center, in partnership with Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana, presents a Farmers Market at the historic marketplace on the corner of Wayne and Barr Streets.
Vendors offer a range of fresh produce, including fruits and vegetables, as well as cheese, baked goods, maple syrups, apple butter, apple cider, spices and herbs. Non-food vendors include products such as soaps and lotions, jewelry, sewn handbags and children's clothing.
Enjoy acoustic entertainment as well as hands-on activities for children.





The Barr Street Market c. 1893 (left) and the Barr Street Market today.

FESTIVAL OF GINGERBREAD--The annual fundraiser to benefit the History Center

The 28th Festival will open on Friday, November 29, 2013.

See multiple photos of previous celebrations on our Facebook page. Here are a few to intrigue you!

From time to time, we also do special programs such as the talk by Hugh Sloan about his days in the Nixon White House
as well as Fool Hardy History where participants are asked to guess the identity of items from days past.

June 11, we'll honor Fort Wayne businessman Chuck Surack, owner of Sweetwater Sound, at the annual Brown Bag on Barr. Join us on the Barr Street Market from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the celebration. Bring your own lunch or purchase lunch from one of the food trucks or restaurants close by.
Free admission to the History Center during the event!