American History comes to life in Northwest Indiana with History Speaks: America 250

American history was brought to life on Saturday, June 13, as Lake County Parks and Rec, alongside the Crown Point Community Library, Lake County Historical Society, and Northwest Indiana Civil War Roundtable, hosted their third annual History Speaks event at Lowell’s Buckley Homestead.

This collaborative event brought together historians, researchers, actors, and reenactors from across the Region, transforming Buckley Homestead into a living timeline of American History. 

Buckley Homestead provided a fitting backdrop for the event. While carefully preserved and interpreted for modern visitors, the site retains the character of a late 19^th century farmstead, helping immerse guests in the stories shared. History Speaks’ scheduled speakers spoke on a stage set up inside of the Buckley Homestead barn. The audience traveled through more than two centuries of American history as reenactors portrayed historical figures including President John Adams, prohibition era crime lord Al Capone, former first lady Mamie Eisenhower, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and more. Each presenter spoke about their role in American history while staying in character. 

This event was made possible through a network of community partnerships. The Crown Point Community Library helped secure grant funding through the Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Humanities, which allowed for professional historians and performers for the event.

Erika Wagner, Crown Point Community Library’s Head of Information and Engagement, recognized the importance of going big with this year’s History Speaks event because of its close proximity to America’s 250th birthday. 

“For the last two years, we’ve done History Speaks: Civil War stories. So, this year it was a natural progression, we wanted to have many more eras represented to celebrate America’s 250th,” Wagner said.

Just beyond the barn and across a small creek, folks were dressed head to toe in Civil War uniforms and raccoon skin hats, sharing facts about America’s history with curious attendees. Several reenactors also manned an 18th century style cannon, firing it off for curious children and families looking to see history in action. 

History Speaks was shaped to make historical knowledge engaging. Kara Mackey, the Assistant Superintendent of Special Facilities and Recreation for Lake County Parks and Rec, has spent a lot of time traveling to American historical sites with her children, and wanted to recreate that experience with immersive, hands-on elements.

“Our big idea is that you’re giving our public something they enjoy, and inadvertently they’re learning, because they’re grasping the information, and they’re having a good time. We’re trying as best as we can to keep the experience authentic,” Mackey said.

As America approaches its 250^th birthday, organizers wanted History Speaks to celebrate the nation’s story in all its complexity. The event intentionally highlighted figures from different eras, background, and experiences, encouraging visitors to consider not only the people found in textbooks, but also the many individuals whose contributions helped shape the country over time.

“It really does take a lot, but I am not a one-person show,” Mackey said. “Erika Wagner at the Crown Point Community Library ensures we get grants to bring in these professionals. Having professional performers, who are historians, is crucial in making sure the information that we’re presenting is thoroughly researched. We also have an incredible network of talented really talented individuals to pull from in Northwest Indiana.”

American history is rich, detailed, and important to understand. The country’s 250th birthday is cause for celebration, for citizens to come together and enjoy themselves, and History Speaks: America 250 event provided a powerful setting for Region families to spend time with each other, enthrall themselves with detailed historical performances, and learn more about our country.

For more information from the hosting organizations, visit https://www.lakecountyparks.com/, https://crownpointlibrary.org/, and https://lchs1875.org/