Telling Tales with Objects: Inside the Curator’s World

Step behind the scenes at Havilah Beardsley House and discover what it really takes to be a museum curator. In this lively, hands-on 90-minute experience, you won’t just tour the museum - you’ll become part of the team.

We all collect things for a reason. The objects we keep help tell the story of who we are - and museums do the very same thing. But who decides what stories get told? That’s where you come in. As you step into the world of curation alongside the experts at Ruthmere Arts and History Campus, you’ll explore every step of the process - from acquisition to exhibition - and discover that a curator’s role is far more dynamic (and surprising) than you might expect.

Slip on your curator gloves and put your instincts to the test as you evaluate mysterious artifacts, deciding what belongs in the collection - and what doesn’t. Try your hand at cataloging real objects, decoding historic photographs, and examining beautifully preserved 19th-century spaces like the East Gallery, 1850s Bedroom, and Dining Room. Along the way, you’ll uncover the hidden stories behind everyday items - even solving the mystery of a surprising family heirloom.

Expect hands-on challenges, lively conversation, and plenty of “aha!” moments as you learn how museums protect, preserve, and transform objects into powerful storytellers. You’ll even gain insight into how to care for your own personal collections at home.

This isn’t just a behind-the-scenes tour - it’s an invitation to see history differently. By the end, you won’t just understand how museums work - you’ll never look at a photograph, a painting, or even your own keepsakes the same way again.

First Tour: June 8 Click here to Book 
For Members only (become a member today!)

Pricing: $25 per person with membership; $50 per person without membership
Duration: 90 minutes
 

Dates / times experience is offered:

Members Only June - August (become a member today!)

September and October open to public

2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 2pm

Group Size (min/max): 4 people minimum; 10 people maximum

Havilah Beardsley House
102 W Beardsley Ave, Elkhart, IN 46514
Ruthmere.org