Experience an important part of Fort Wayne’s Native American heritage through Miami Indian Heritage Days.

This cultural celebration kicks off Saturday, May 5 at the Chief Richardville House, 5705 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne.  Sponsored by the History Center, Miami Indian Heritage Days programs are held from 1-4 pm on the first Saturday of the month, May through November.

Miami Indian Heritage Days are a great way to learn about the pastimes of Fort Wayne's first inhabitants.

What can visitors expect? The event promises local artists, performers, and representatives from the Miami Indians and other Native American groups demonstrating aspects of their heritage.

• “Medicine Woman Drum” will be featured May 5 beginning at 1 p.m. The group’s performances demonstrate the importance of drumming, singing and dancing in Miami society.
• On June 2, Erik Vosteen will present traditional Great Lakes weaponry, including hand and throwing weapons as well as the atlatl.
• July 7 is the bi-centennial celebration of Miami Chief Little Turtle’s death. A memorial herb medicine wheel will be created on that day and artifacts belonging to Little Turtle will be on display.
• The August 4 program by Katrina Mitten will feature Native American bead work.
• September 1, Dani Tippman presents “Miami Harvest” on edible and usable plants and materials.
• M.I.A.M.I. (Miami Indian Alliance of Miami Indians) will present programs on October 6 about wikiami building and cattail matting.
• November 3-4 is Traders Days. Vendors, craftsmen and artists sell quality Native American items including fine art, gourd work, beading, carved wood pieces, corn husk dolls, Christmas ornaments, Native American shields, jewelry, clothing, feather work, homemade baked goods and more.
• Traders Days events are free to the public and are open Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m.

Admission for each Saturday event is $7 adults and $5 students and seniors. History Center members and children ages 5 and under are free. Admission also includes the opportunity to visit the Chief Richardville House.

For more information, contact the History Center at (260) 426-2882 or visit the website.

• 

If you’re not looking, you may miss it. The Swinney Homestead sits high on a hill back off the road to the left as you head west along West Jefferson Blvd. I can imagine people who lived there centuries ago being surrounded by brush, trees, pastures, and no neighbors. Surely it would have been hard for them to believe the house would someday sit between a divided highway in the midst of a thriving city.

A local group of volunteers called the Settlers maintains the home as a venue of education and enrichment for the Fort Wayne community. Each May they sponsor the “Herbs and Perennials Plant Sale & Swinney Homestead Open House.”

This is a good chance to purchase plants to complete the landscaping around your home or herbs for your cooking. The herbs come right from the herb garden at the Homestead.

The plant sale will be held Friday, May 4 and Saturday, May 5.

May 4, 2012
Herbs and Perennials Plant Sale & Swinney Homestead Open House
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

May 5, 2012
Second Day Plant Sale
8:00 a.m. – noon

This free event is held to supplement the funds needed to maintain the Swinney Homestead, one of Fort Wayne’s most historic buildings.

During the sale, a gift shop is open on the second floor of the Swinney House. What fun to walk through this house and imagine the people who had lived there! Actually, it might not be too hard to imagine life during the colonial period as music, refreshments, crafts and other artifacts from that time will be on display.

Since the 1970s, Settler members have provided information about the colonial way of living for the Fort Wayne community through special speakers and programs.

The Swinney Homestead is located at 1424 W. Jefferson Blvd. Parking for the plant sale is free.

For more information, check them out online.

• 

A city as old as Fort Wayne (founded 1794) could not have survived without encountering conflicts, military and otherwise. The War of 1812 was just such a time when our young nation had to again stand united after The Revolutionary War against the tyrannical power of Great Britain.

Fort Wayne was in the heat of conflict during the War of 1812.

At one point the fort named after General ‘Mad’ Anthony Wayne became the center of attention, enduring intense fire. Obviously we survived but at what cost?

Keith Layman, a lecturer with ARCH, will discuss the events that contributed to the Fort’s involvement in the War of 1812 at a free lecture on Saturday, April 28.

ARCH is a non-profit organization that seeks to protect and preserve historic places in Allen County and northeast Indiana. Each spring Arch offers a Fun and Free Lecture Series revolving around historic and preservation issues. The War of 1812 is the last of the 2012 free lectures.

The free lecture will take place at Auer Center for Arts & Culture, 300 E. Main Street in Fort Wayne. This site is located across from the Fort Wayne Museum of Art.

For more information about the Fun and Free Lecture Series, call ARCH at 260.426.5117, visit their location at 818 Lafayette Street or go to the ARCH website.

• 

Southwest Fort Wayne, home to the 46807 zip code, is known for its historic charm. Spend an afternoon (or whole day) patronizing local business, ranging from cafes to antique stories. Here are a few options:

Foster Park: Although not a business, this 225-acre park is worth a trip. Located in the heart of the neighborhood at 3900 Old Mill Road, this city park is known for its wide array of amenities. Visitors can enjoy a golf course, pavilion, trail, floral area and playground. The best time is to visit in the spring, when the flowers are in full bloom. Don’t forget your camera!

Families love the Friendly Fox!

Friendly Fox: After working up an appetite from exercise in the park, grab a bite to eat at the Friendly Fox, 4001 S. Wayne Ave, in the Southwood Park neighborhood. This family owned and operated establishment serves up interesting, and tasty, homemade soups, sandwiches, salads, pastries and smoothies. This place is a favorite local hang for breakfast, lunch and dinner regulars. The 21-and-over crowd will enjoy their assortment of beer and wine. The Fox has a conference room perfect for those who want to work remotely or curl up with a good book.

Finders Keepers: Check out Fort Wayne’s oldest furniture recycler, located at 2608 S. Calhoun St. Here, you will find, bargains galore, including beds, antiques, retro and boutique furniture and other sundries. Hours are 10 am-6 pm Monday-Thursday, 10 am-6 pm Friday; 10 am-6 pm Saturday and noon-5 pm Sunday.

Philmore:  This historic theater, once known as the Broadway Theater, was restored as a jazz club/event venue in 2010 as the Philmore on Broadway. Guests will be delighted by the experience in an intimate venue. Marbled floors, a bar area, professional lighting and sound and spacious seating are a part of its appeal. The balcony level provides a bird’s eye view of the stage and main level happenings with elevated seating, additional full bar, intimate lounge area and separate restrooms. Check out their events calendar for a special pre-Valentine’s Day party.

The Philmore on Broadway is available for rental for banquets and receptions.

These are just a few ways to discover this inviting neighborhood. Visit this Web site to learn more!

• 

The George R. Mather Sunday Lecture Series returns to the Fort Wayne and Allen County History Center this winter, providing locals and visitors alike with a glimpse of the area’s history.

The History Center, located downtown.

The lecture series was first proposed by former museum board of directors member Rev. George R. Mather. These free Sunday afternoon lectures educate attendees on topics that influenced our local history. The lecture series was eventually renamed in Mather’s memory and began its 2012 season on February 5 and continues with:

• Sunday, February 12: Special Program ‘The Road to Brown.’ The landmark 1954 Supreme Court ruling about segregated schools in America will be the focus of this special video and panel discussion. It is sponsored in cooperation with the African-African American Historical Society and Museum.

• Sunday, March 4: ‘Going to ‘The Lake’ in Northeast Indiana,’ presented by Mark GiaQuinta, FWCS School Board Member and local attorney

• Sunday, April 1: ‘Fort Wayne’s Historic Baseball Past,’ presented by Don Graham, baseball enthusiast

• Sunday, May 6: ‘Beyond the Garden Gate: the Impact of Women on City Beautification,’ presented by Dana Wichern, local author

• Sunday, June 3: ‘Hall’s Restaurants: All Around the Town Since 1946,’ presented by Don “Bud” Hall, local businessman

The lecture series is possible in part to support from the Dunsire Family Foundation. All lectures take place at the museum at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Lectures are free and open to the public. The History Center is located at 302 E. Berry St., in downtown Fort Wayne. For more information visit the History Center online.

•