Michigan City’s cultural calender is filled year-round with entertaining programs and events that present great opportunities for cultural enrichment and growth.

The Dunes Art Foundation, the oldest and largest cultural organization in the city, has an extensive array of programs for developing an understanding and appreciation of the fine and performing arts. It offers classes in dance, theatre, painting, sculpture and crafts. The theatre season begins during the latter part of June and delights large audiences throughout the summer. The Foundation sponsors an art exhibit during the summer as well.

The Footlight Players perform plays during the fall, winter and spring. The group is open to participation by aspiring area performers. The

Festival Players Guild brings summer and winter stage attractions to the Mainstreet Theatre. The Acting Theatre of Michigan City specializes in original productions that appeal to all ages.

Every fall and winter since 1954, the Sinai Sunday Evening Forum has presented famous speakers on timely topics and has become a local landmark.

The John G. Blank Center for the Arts is an elegant building with original Tiffany windows. It was built in 1896 and has three galleries with a changing display of works from various periods. It also offers several classes throughout the year in all areas of fine arts from beginner to professional.

The Michigan City Public Library has served the community since 1897. Having outgrown its 78-year-old original building, in 1975 a new facility was designed by renowned architect Helmut Jahn.

The glass-walled center courtyard and bright interior has won the building numerous distinguished architectural awards. A meeting room with seating for 150 is available for public use.

Library programs such as the annual Writing Out Loud series featuring contemporary authors has helped the Michigan City Public Library gain recognition throughout the state as a community cultural and information center. Over 200,000 patrons annually enjoy its collections, displays and programs.

Museum lovers will enjoy a day at the Old Lighthouse Museum located near the mouth of the harbor adjacent to Indiana’s only public, operating lighthouse. The museum presents a fascinating history of one of the city’s most distinguished features.

The Barker Mansion, former home of railroad industrialist John H. Barker, consists of 38 rooms, seven fireplaces and 10 bathrooms. This elegantly decorated English manor-style home offers tours of its opulent interior and contains many original pieces of furniture and clothing from the turn-of-the-century.

History buffs can visit The Great Lakes Museum of Military History on the south side which has an interesting collection of military memorabilia, weapons, uniforms and historical displays from all eras as well as a fully stocked research library.

The Alyce Bartholomew Children’s Museum is located in the historic, Tudor-style home of its namesake, a former educator in Michigan City. The handsome, impressive building today houses a museum dedicated to the concept of experience- oriented learning. Children and adults are encouraged to take part in the hands-on interactive exhibits, including: The Hands-On Science Room; Nature & Sea Life Room; Sea Life Stairwell; Color & Light, Sound & Music, K’nex, Doll House and Puzzle Rooms, Nature’s Architecture, Cultural Display, Jonathan Jones Puppet Playhouse, Atkin’s Broadcast Center and the ABC Art Studio. The museum also features a rotating, interactive main floor exhibit area.

Dozens of local special interest clubs, from stamp collecting to barbershop quartets, also play a vital role in Michigan City’s culturally vibrant community, making it as exciting and culturally diverse as ever.

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