Huntington IN Chamber: Libraries and Museums

Several libraries, museums and cultural centers serve residents of Huntington County.

Huntington University’s RichLyn Library is also available for public use. The RichLyn Library has a collection of over 160,000 items. In addition, it has computer network links with over 6,000 other libraries around the world. There are over 14,000 bound periodical volumes in the collection, including over 550 annual hardcopy periodical subscriptions. There are approximately 50,000 documents in its partial government repository.

Tax-supported libraries are located in Andrews, Huntington, Roanoke, and Warren. The largest of these is the Huntington City-Township/Markle Branch Public Library. Its modern, 31,000 square-foot facility houses a collection of 100,000 books. Other available materials include cassettes, magazines, art reproductions, and videos. Public access computers offer patrons a link to the educational resources of the Internet. The Library has many well-developed services for children, including a special children’s collection, computers with educational software, pre-school story hours, and interesting youth programs throughout the year. Individual “sick kits” are offered for ill children, and hospital story visits can be arranged.

The Library’s Indiana Room features an extensive collection of materials on local history and genealogy. Resources include complete microfilm collections of local newspapers. Trained staff members are available for reference and assistance.

Huntington is home to the Dan Quayle Center and Museum, above center. The nation’s only vice-presidential museum, it features vice-presidential memorabilia, plus rotating exhibits of social, political, and historical interest.

The Historic Forks of the Wabash focuses on Huntington County’s early history. Tour guides relate the life of local Miami Indians and their relationship with early white settlers. Several important historic buildings have been restored and relocated to this park, including the house of Chief John Richardville and the Nuck log cabin. The park is the site of historic encampment re-enactments during the annual Festival of the Whippoorwill Moon.

Several county communities support museums. Once located in “one of Indiana's most beautiful courthouses,” the Huntington County Historical Museum, has moved to its new facility at 315 Court Street and houses items from prehistory to the recent past.

The Roanoke Area Heritage Center offers Indian artifacts, Civil War memorabilia, information on the Wabash & Erie Canal, and a variety of revolving exhibits.

The Warren Historical Museum features military artifacts, exhibits on local history, and memorabilia from historic township schools.

The county’s newest attraction is the Sumner B Sheets Museum of Wildlife & Marine Exhibits. This unique museum of natural history features 97 animals (all taken legally) from around the world. They also have 87 fish from places across the globe. Many of the exhibits are near world record and are preserved with the finest taxidermy. The new facility is located ½ mile west of the Historic Forks of the Wabash along U.S. 24.