Streams of Power: The Story of Water in Elkhart County
According to Miami origin stories, the people emerged from the waters at the “Coming Out Place,” now known as South Bend.
The Potawatomi followed the Great Lakes in search of mnomen - “the food that grows on water,” or wild rice. These powerful beginnings set the stage for an experience that flows through centuries of connection between people, place, and water.
From there, you’ll dive into eye-opening discoveries about the world’s water supply (spoiler: it’s rarer than you think!) and uncover how rivers like the St. Joseph River have shaped life in this region for generations - long before and long after settlers arrived.
Go behind the scenes inside the Museum’s collections, then visit the banks of the river for an up-close look at real aquatic critters and what they reveal about the river’s health. You’ll hear stories in multiple voices, feel the energy of moving water, and see firsthand how conservation efforts are making waves today. You’ll leave the Museum with a souvenir water bottle, too!
Then, the experience flows onward to Bonneyville Mill, where water has powered daily life since 1837. Watch grain transform into fresh flour, explore the inner workings of one of Indiana’s oldest continuously operating grist mills, lift real millstones, and taste the results with baked samples fresh from the source. You’ll even take home your own bag of freshly ground cornmeal.
This isn’t just a tour - it’s a full-sensory journey. From powerful origin stories to hands-on discovery, you’ll see, hear, taste, and feel how water connects it all - and leave inspired to protect the waterways that continue to sustain us.
First Tour: May 1 10am - 12pm
Pricing: $20 per person
Duration: 2 hours, 10am - 12pm
Dates / times experience is offered:
Friday, May 1st 10am - 12pm Click here to Book
Friday, June 5th 10am - 12pm Click here to Book
Friday, July 10th 10am - 12pm Click here to Book
Friday, August 21st 10am - 12pm Click here to Book
Friday, September 25th 10am - 12pm Click here to Book
Friday, October 9th 10am - 12pm
Group Size (min/max): 5 people minimum; 20 people maximum
Elkhart County Historical Museum & Bonneyville Mill
304 W Vistula St, Bristol, IN 46507
