MERRILLVILLE | One of the area's best kept secrets is the Merrillville-Ross Township Historical Museum at 13 West 73rd Ave. The building, which houses the museum, was the first brick school in Merrillville. Built in 1896, it replaced a small one-room school as the community grew after the Civil War. In the early 1970s, the building became the first Town Hall. With continued growth, the Town Hall moved to its current site on Broadway, and the building again became a source of learning.

The museum is staffed by historical society members. These local history enthusiasts meet regularly to plan projects and to learn more about local history. Guests always are welcome; check it out if you enjoy history and would like to help preserve it while making new friends. Volunteers always are needed.

Inside the building, you'll find a wide variety of items - from American Indian artifacts to autographed photos from astronaut Jerry Ross. Permanent exhibits include a farm room, an antique parlor as well as a restored classroom and a large assortment of military uniforms and memorabilia.

For information about family history, a large Lake County plat map from the late 1870s includes information about property owners, their countries of origin as well as occupations. Others find family members in the collection of high school yearbooks that date from the 1920s. Members of the historical society are in the process of categorizing old photographs of people and buildings in the area.

The museum is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays, May through October, and is staffed by volunteers. This year has been particularly busy with some special exhibits. Back by popular demand is member Roy Foreman's collection of 1933-34 World's Fair memorabilia. Many of the visitors who have stopped by this summer actually attended the fair 75 years ago.

This summer, the museum has partnered with The Indiana Historical Society to feature traveling exhibits from Indianapolis. Special exhibits through Aug. 24 include "The Golden Age: Indiana Literature" highlighting Indiana writers from the 19th and 20th centuries and "Hoosier Centennial" telling the story of the 1916 celebration marking the 100th anniversary of Indiana's statehood.

Bruce Woods will prepare everyone for this year's Lake County Fair with a presentation on the history of the Lake County Fairgrounds at 1 p.m. today.

The society has several publications available for purchase including "A Pictorial History of Merrillville" and its new book, "Soldiers & Veterans Memorialized at the Merrillville Cemetery," which tells the stories of 53 soldiers who lived in the area and representing service in the War of 1812 through Vietnam.

Whether you are a lifetime Calumet Region resident or just passing through, you will find something of interest at the Merrillville-Ross Township Museum.

Alice Smedstad is vice president of Merrillville-Ross Township Historical Society.