Indiana Welcome Center

Stop by the Indiana Welcome Center if you are visiting the South Shore area or just passing through. While you stretch your legs, you can view the unique building structure, enjoy the different exhibits in the W.F. Wellman Exhibit Hall, learn about the Gangster Era in the John Dillinger Museum and browse the gift shop.  You can also pick up a lot of information about all there is to see and do, not only in the South Shore area, but brochures from all over Indiana.

The building design encompasses some of the main, most memorable images of Northwest Indiana and uses them in the building language. The solution is as diverse as the community itself; its people, the natural environment, and man made developments.

The structure starts with the most dominant natural feature in our area, Lake Michigan. The large exhibition space is created with the form of stainless steel "waves" glistening in the sun. These waves crash into the undulating "sand dunes" which are juxtaposed to the industry; Steel denoted in the gray office form (second story) and the smoke stacks of the entry canopy. The natural terrain then rolls into the plains and farms, which is bordered to the south by the free flowing Kankakee river depicted in the south facade of the building.

From this, the composition has sculpted a structure that symbolically tells the story of the area, houses the necessary functions for the Welcome Center, and leaves one with an image unseen elsewhere.

Let us think of water, waves, sand dunes, industry, farming, rivers, and last of all, the people of our Country. What we have is as unique and singular as the Northwest Indiana.

 Free Travel Brochures & Maps
Restrooms with Baby Changing Tables
John Dillinger Museum
Exhibit Hall
Gift Shop
Vending Machines
Picnic area
Pet Exercise Area

Location:
Off of I-80/94 on Kennedy Ave. South
7770 Corinne Dr., Hammond, Indiana

Hours:
Winter, Spring and Fall Hours: Everyday 8am-5pm, Labor Day up to Memorial Day
Summer Hours: Everyday 8am-6pm, Memorial Day up to Labor Day
(Building closes at 5pm on July 4th)
Extended hours between Thanksgiving and Christmas
Call 800-ALL-LAKE or 219-989-7979 for exact times
Days closed:
New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

Phone:
219-989-7979 or 800-ALL-LAKE

	The W.F. Wellman Exhibit Hall 6500 sq. ft. of contemporary exhibit space fashioned after the rolling waves of Lake Michigan. Varying exhibits from Model A Fords to "A Christmas Story" window displays to a steel-framed house have all called the W.F. Wellman Exhibit Hall home. Admission is FREE and exhibits change frequently.
2011 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Cars and Quilts: February 4 - March 23 Antique cars from local residents and quilts from the Heritage Quilters will fill the hall. The quilts will be here to promote the "A Gathering of Quilters" event in March. Calumet Photo Club Exhibit: April 1 - May 5 A photography exhibit featuring photos from the Calumet Photo Club. Trash to Treasure XI: May 24 - July 21 Works of art created from discarded materials.  Convergence: August 4 - October 5 A juried art show. A Christmas Story Comes Home Exhibit: November 1- Jan 8, 2012  An exhibit including the "A Christmas Story" window displays from Macy's in New York and fun movie-related events like the Oh Fuuudge Relay Race.
	THE JOHN DILLINGER MUSEUM "Crime Doesn't Pay" Learn about the birth of the FBI as they chase the John Dillinger and his gang through the Midwest through interactive displays, life-size wax figures and educational and historical displays. Included are the notable "death trousers" (the pants Dillinger was wearing when he was shot outside of the Biograph Theater), the infamous wooden gun, Dillinger's lucky rabbits foot and more.
	SOUTH SHORE GIFT SHOP Specializing in Indiana merchandise for souvenirs or gifts; including vintage South Shore Line posters, "A Christmas Story" movie memorabilia, Region Rat T-shirts, South Shore Air Show merchandise, award-winning Albanese Gummi"s and more. The Gift Shop also offers an array of Indiana and Chicago postcards, mugs, key chains and magnets.
	The IN-Vision Theatre The Theatre is currently playing three films and is available for corporate meetings and group rentals. Please see the listing in  the Visitor Services section for complete details.