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Much of the “old” Whitley County has disappeared: downtown businesses, landmark buildings, farms and schools.                                  

Younger people and newcomers to the county like to know what was here before they came. This project would also aid genealogists and family historians.

We would like to meet with the Whitley County Historical Society, the Whitley County Genealogy Society, Friends of the Library and the Columbia City High School History and/or Government classes and anyone else who would like to participate, to explain the project, generate interest and perhaps enlist volunteers to interview and to do the interviewing as well.

The finished interviews would then be cataloged into the Peabody Public Library Indiana Room collection, and a copy will be made for the donor as well. The interviews are also available to be viewed online.

We can come to you, or you may be interviewed at the library – wherever you feel the most comfortable. We can do individual or group interviews. The process is really simple and painless; just talk to us the way you would talk to friends or family, passing on “stories”.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. We feel that this is an important project and that it will be of service to the community.

Please note that this project is not just for Columbia City; we would like interviews from all over Whitley County – Churubusco, South Whitley, Collins, Laud, Collamer – just anywhere in Whitley County.

Feel free to call us at (260)244-5541 or e-mail us if you need additional information on this project or if you are interested in setting up an interview.