Indiana Welcome Center

The building design encompasses some of the main, most memorable images of Lake County 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 Lake County.

Free Travel Brochures & Maps
Restrooms with Baby Changing Tables
Public Telephone
Vending Machines
Picnic area
Pet Exercise Area

Located at I-80/94 & Kennedy Ave. South   Hammond, Indiana
Hours: Mon-Fri  8am-5pm; Sat-Sun  8am-5pm
Phone: 219-989-7979; 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 ethnically decorated Christmas Trees to a steel-framed house have all called the W.F. Wellman Exhibit Hall home. Admission is FREE and exhibits change frequently.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Illiana Artists Exhibit- Aug 5- Sept 17

Photo Fest- Sept 26

A Christmas Story Comes Home Exhibit- Nov 1- Jan 9, 2011 

 The IN-Vision Theatre

 The theatre should be among your first stops at the Welcome  Center. 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.

The John Dillinger Museum

"Crime doesn"t pay", is now open in the award-winning Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond, IN. Guests are invited to learn about the birth of the FBI as they chase the John Dillinger and his gang through the Midwest. The museum includes 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 in Chicago), 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, 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.