Current Exhibits
First Peoples, First Settlers: Indiana’s Interwoven Roots
July 4, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Changing Gallery
First Peoples, First Settlers: Indiana’s Interwoven Roots explores the shared history of the St. Joseph River Valley. The region’s first inhabitants were Native Americans, predominantly the Potawatomi. The region would come to be dominated by settlers of European descent, many of whom migrated from the East in search of new opportunities. Visitors will learn about Potawatomi life before European contact, the challenges faced by early settlers as they relocated westward, and the profound changes that followed as their lives became increasingly intertwined.
Moments That Made US
April 11, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Link Hallway
Every community has moments that shape its identity, and South Bend is no exception. Through the experiences of entrepreneurs, workers, artists, and civic leaders, visitors will discover how local history reflects and contributes to America’s broader story. Developed by History Colorado and a multi-state collaboration for the nation’s 250th anniversary, Moments That Made US allows host communities to connect their own local histories to the American experience. The exhibition explores five themes drawn directly from the Declaration of Independence: Created Equal; Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness; Free and Independent States; Consent of the Governed; and We Mutually Pledge. The featured moments remind us that our story was never inevitable, we shaped it at every turn.
Through artifacts, photographs, and first-hand accounts, Moments That Made US invites you to see how local moments and experiences became part of the American story as part of the ongoing America250 celebrations at the Studebaker National Museum and The History Museum.
City and Campus: Rediscovering Lost Landmarks
June 1, 2025 - December 31, 2026
The Raclin Gallery of Notre Dame History
The landscape of the University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College campuses and the city of South Bend has undergone a significant transformation since its history in the 19th century. While some buildings and landmarks remain, time and neglect, disaster, or losing their original purpose have eliminated many. Today, only fragments of these lost structures survive through stories, photographs, and memories.
In this exhibit, we invite you to explore the changing skyline of our local campuses and city. Through the lens of these images and stories, discover how the spaces that once defined these places have developed. Although much has disappeared, we hope to offer a glimpse of what was once here and how these lost histories have shaped the South Bend we know today.
A special thank you to the late John W. Stamper and Notre Dame Press, whose invaluable work in their publication City and Campus served as a cornerstone of this exhibit.
While we can only share a small part of this rich history, we hope these stories inspire you to reflect on the past.
