Search Collections
Currently our collection listings can be searched using the Source List and/or browsing the Collection Guides below.
Please take time to search the Source List to discover what information we have available prior to your visit.
You can also discover what sources we have in our repository by viewing our Topical Guide or Primary Sources documents.
Be specific when filling out our online Research Request Form or contacting the Elkhart County Historical Museum directly.
We are in the process of updating the Source List and have materials or additional dates that have not yet been added.
Collection Guides
2012.019, George H. Collier Papers.pdf
The collection contains George H. Collier’s business records from the Dobbins Manufacturing Company, once located in Elkhart, Indiana. The documents consist of product catalogs and publications, distribution ledgers, address books, publicity and correspondence, and two photographs of the merchandise. The collection also includes financial ledgers, correspondence, and two postcards from when George H. Collier was on the American Legion, Thomas McCoy Post No. 74, finance committee and raised money to relocate the post in the City of Elkhart.
Subject Area(s): H.D. Hudson Manufacturing Company, American Legion, Dobbins Manufacturing Co., Agricultural equipment, Spraying and dusting in agriculture
2011.031-.032, Schenk Family Collection.pdf
The Schenk Family Collection (SFC) consists of documents collected and donated by Maynard Schenk pertaining to family and business history. Maynard Schenk served as Elkhart County Engineer and the bulk of the collection is related to Elkhart County bridge inspection work from 1986 to 1995 including photographs, maps and standards manuals. Additionally, there are family photographs that span two generations, correspondence, and photographs that include members of the Schenk family that were employed at the Crow Carriage & Motor Car Company and the Buescher Band Instrument Company in Elkhart.
Subject Area(s): Elkhart, Indiana, Crow Carriage & Motor Car Company, Buescher Instrument Company, Wood Car Company, Kuert Concrete Company, Engineering, Bridges, Car Industry
2012.002, Edward Goodman Collection.pdf
This small collection is made up of business records and publications primarily from Adlake (Adams & Westlake Company), legal documents, and miscellaneous documents pertaining to the county and state. Edward Goodman grew up in Elkhart County and lived on S.R. 19. He had family members who worked at Adlake and started in 1945 and worked their over 25 years. When Adlake closed in the early 1970s Goodman went into van conversions. While at Adlake he worked in the metal department.
Subject Area(s): Adams and Westlake Company, Concord High School, Assembly-line methods, Business records, Technicians, Laboratory
2012.013, Pierre Moran Shopping Mall Records.pdf
The collection includes minimal business records on stores at the former Pierre Moran Shopping Mall, as also known as the Pierre Moran Shopping Center, located at 154 W Hively Ave (Ste 40) Elkhart, IN 46517. Other items include an oversized site plan/lease plan, photographs, and newspaper clippings.
Subject Area(s): Pierre Moran Shopping Center/Pierre Moran Shopping Mall/Shopping centers/Retail stores/Business records/Carson Pirie Scott/L.S. Ayres and Company/Elkhart, Indiana
2012.020, Doloris Cogan Collection.pdf
This collection was donated by by Doloris Cogan, who was the first female Director of Public Relations for Miles Laboratories, Inc. of Elkhart, Indiana. The majority of this collection is made up of the Miles newsletter called The Alkalizer which was published for Elkhart area employees and retirees of Miles. The collection also includes books and poems written by John Collier about the handling of American Indian affairs, who she first worked under for the Institute of Ethnic Affairs in Washington, D.C. in 1946.
Subject Area(s): Miles Laboratories, Inc., Bayer, Institute of Ethnic Affairs, American Indians
1980.007, Emma Bennett Kelley Papers.pdf
This collection consist of personal papers (scrapbooks, literature, booklets) created by Emma Bennett Kelley. Emma Bennett Kelley (1860–1938) taught at the Bristol school for 20 years before marrying Dr. Frank L. Kelley of Alba., Michigan in 1902. After his death in 1916 she returned to Bristol. She was active as a literary woman, as these papers demonstrate; was a charter member of the Bristol Literary Society, a leader in the Tuesday Study Club of Alba, and the Columbia Club of Bristol.
Subject Area(s): Columbia Club (Indianapolis Indiana), Bristol Literary Society, Temperance---Societies, Women’s issues
2012, Scrapbook Finding Aid.pdf
This finding aid is a listing of scrapbooks that contain personal, club, business, subject, and event related information.
Subject Area(s): Bristol Public Library, Elkhart County Historical Society, World War II Draftees, Bristol High School, Bonneyville, Washington Twp. Home Ec. Club, Elkhart Centennial, Tornado 1965, American Legion Convention