Many in Northwest Indiana have family stories that connect to Gary. We have stories of hope: of arriving, of finding work, of neighborhood life, of churches and schools, of political engagement, of hard times and good times. We have stories of change: of Mayor Hatcher’s election, of expanded opportunities for housing and employment, of schools desegregating, of being in the nation’s eye. We have stories of fight or flight: of no longer feeling safe, of banning “for sale” signs in the neighborhood, of moving to the suburbs, of watching businesses leave for Southlake Mall, of jobs at the mill drying up. These many stories shape ourselves and our region.

Chorus of Voices: Retelling Northwest Indiana History

Residents of Northwest Indiana share through their experiences some of the central history that continues to shape the region.

05 - Thinking Regionally Chorus

04 - Impact Chorus

03 - Flight Paths Chorus

02 - Neighborhoods Chorus

01 - Migration Chorus

Collecting stories to make a difference. These first-person stories are part of the Welcome Project, an audio and video collection at Valparaiso University. Visit us as welcomeproject.valpo.edu.

Chorus of Voices: Retelling Northwest Indiana History

Welcome Project at Valparaiso University