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Our Displays


The Jay County Historical Museum is not the typical county museum in a house.  We are housed in a former industrial building with about 13,000 square feet of display space, along with additional storage areas.  Although some of the larger items are on permanent display, we rotate other artifacts throughout the year. 

The museum’s collections began with about 1,000 items which had originally been displayed in the Daughters’ of the American Revolution room at the Jay County Courthouse.  Several large wooden and glass showcases were also brought to the museum from there.  Other artifacts are continually being donated by those interested in preserving the heritage of Jay County.  Because of space, we limit items we accept to those which have a connection to Jay County.

One of the focal points of the museum is a collection of framed senior class composite pictures from the county’s former eight high schools.  Visitors enjoy remembering old friends or family members as they browse through this collection.  Along this these pictures, there is a large display of memorabilia from these former schools.

Our medical room contains a variety of medical and dental apparatus and instruments, including an iron lung which was used locally during the polio outbreak which devastated Jay County in the late 1940s and early 1950s.  We also have equipment from a former dentist’s office.

Other displays include items from present and former industries, clothing from different eras, farm machinery, a one-room school, military uniforms and equipment, a horse-drawn mail wagon, and many, many more.  We also have a large genealogy research library.



Closed Mondays
Tues - Thurs 10AM-4PM
Fri & Sat by appointment. Please call 2 days in advance. Free Admission
Phone: 260-726-7168
Fax:
Email: research@jaycountyhistory.org

Jack Imel Memorabilia Display

Jack Imel Memorabilia Display

Clothing Room

Clothing Room

Graduation pictures from the eight high schools in Jay County

Graduation Pictures

Farm Room

Farm Room

Country Store

Country Store

Dr. & Mrs. Eugene Gillum Room

Dr. & Mrs. Eugene Gillum Room

Jay Garment Display

Jay Garment Display

Medical Room

Medical Room

School Room

School Room

Clothing Display in Meeting Room

Clothing Display in Meeting Room

Memorabilia from the Hawkins Family

Memorabilia from the Hawkins Family

Domestic Arts

Domestic Arts

Genealogy Library

Genealogy Library

War Room

War Room

Meeting Room

Meeting Room

Laundry Display

Laundry Display

Jay County Gas Boom Display

Jay County Gas Boom Display

  • Home
  • Membership
  • Geneaology
    • Jay County Genealogy
    • Indiana Genealogical Society
    • Rootsweb For Jay County
  • Our Collections
    • Our Displays
    • Open House for the Portland Class of 1961
  • Merchandise
  • About
    • Our History
    • Jay County History
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us

Jay County Historical Society

903 E Main St.
Portland, Indiana 47371
Phone: 260-726-7168
Fax:

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Meeting Calendar

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2023-03-28 - Monthly Meeting
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  • Home
  • Membership
  • Geneaology
    • Jay County Genealogy
    • Indiana Genealogical Society
    • Rootsweb For Jay County
  • Our Collections
    • Our Displays
    • Open House for the Portland Class of 1961
  • Merchandise
  • About
    • Our History
    • Jay County History
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us