Giving to the Museum

For an institution whose mission is preserving the past, The History Museum has been innovative in planning for the future. These past 12 months have seen incredible changes to our campus.

In November 2023, we completed the Worker’s Home transformation to a 1950s African American residence where we tell stories of the Great Migration and the Civil Rights Movement. The year ahead promises imaginative programs that will focus on these historical eras.

The Navarre Cabin move to our campus took place in May 2024. This oldest structure in St. Joseph County, built circa 1820, was home to Pierre Navarre, the first European to settle permanently in the region. In 2025, we anticipate attracting thousands of school students as we continue to build our Navarre Homestead site.

In October 2024, we launched a new podcast, “A Bend in Time.” Featuring curated histories of the greater South Bend area, the podcast’s initial series explores the city’s first 25 years, seen through the lens of the first eight mayors. Available worldwide, we will offer a new series every three months.

We are proud to announce a new exhibit opening in 2025 that chronicles the life of Knute Rockne who, during his 13-year tenure as head football coach at the University of Notre Dame, led his teams to six national championships, 105 victories, five undefeated seasons, and a lifetime winning percentage of .881.

These creative approaches to presenting the past will continue to have an incredible impact on our community’s residents, students, and visitors. The year 2025 is filled with powerful opportunities. None will be possible without your generous donation. Please consider a gift to The History Museum’s Annual Fund so we can continue our important work of enriching the future by preserving the past.