CHESTERTON, IN — Westchester Public Library (WPL) cordially invites the community to attend the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new Duneland History Center on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 6:30 PM. The public event will take place on-site at the historic Brown Mansion campus, located at 700 W Porter Ave, Chesterton, IN 46304. This ceremony marks the celebration and formal launch of a major initiative to preserve regional history by restoring the historic Brown Mansion (1885) and constructing a new barn expansion. The project marks the formal transition of the Westchester Township History Museum to the Duneland History Center, a name chosen to embody a broader, more inclusive vision for the lakeshore region's shared stories. The renovation and expansion project will bring the historic Brown Mansion campus up to ADA standards while creating new opportunities for exhibits, archives, educational programming, and community engagement.

"This is a major milestone for our community, and we really want our neighbors to be a part of the celebration from day one," said Heather Chaddock, Executive Director of Westchester Public Library. "We're moving beyond just saving this beautiful local landmark. We are building an accessible, lasting home where the stories of the Duneland area can be safely preserved, discovered, and shared for generations to come."

The groundbreaking program will feature key insights from organizational leaders, architects, and restoration experts guiding the project. Scheduled speakers aside from Chaddock and Museum Curator Serena Ard include Justin Martinson, President of the Westchester Public Library Board of Trustees; Architect Jeff Shroeder, Chief Executive Officer of Moake Park Group; Jeff Berglund, President of Berglund Construction; and Chris Savoia, Senior Estimator for Berglund Construction, who will say a few words on behalf of Berglund's role as Construction Manager and as a proud Chesterton resident.

The event is free and open to all neighbors, historians, and friends of the Duneland community. To assist with preparations, attendees are kindly asked to visit tinyurl.com/DHCgroundbreaking to RSVP. Limited parking for this event will be available along Porter Avenue, with additional overflow parking available in the adjacent YMCA Healthy Living Campus parking lot.

Interviews with Executive Director Heather Chaddock and Museum Curator Serena Ard are available upon request. You can stay up to date with project progress and news at dunelandhistorycenter.org.

About the Duneland History Center - The Duneland History Center (formerly the Westchester Township History Museum) is an educational service of Westchester Public Library. Dedicated to uncovering the collective stories of the Indiana Dunes and Northwest Indiana, the Center provides free access to archives, genealogy research, and historical exhibits for residents and visitors alike.

Westchester Public Library 200 W. Indiana Ave.

Chesterton, IN 46304 wpl.lib.in.us