With the close of the 2014-2015 fiscal year last month, the History Center officially reached a financial and organizational milestone, which saw its first year during the Great Recession, finishing its seventh consecutive fiscal year with a positive operating budget. This marks the longest stretch of time since 1976 that the organization has seen such continued success.

Alongside this celebration, the History Center has also marked a fifth consecutive record year for its annual campaign, the Heritage Education Fund, a fund that allows school groups in the Allen, DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble, and Steuben counties to tour the History Center for free. Both in terms of fundraising and school group attendance the Heritage Education Fund continues to expand each year, assuring even greater access to a dynamic, educational experience for area students.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s the History Center functioned as a county agency, receiving upwards of 100% of its annual operating revenues from Allen County. The History Center now secures all of its annual operating revenues from foundation grants, private donations, corporate sponsorships and earned revenues.

The History Center extends its gratitude to its members, supporters, visitors and the Greater Fort Wayne community as a whole for all the past and continued support of the History Center’s mission to collect, preserve and share Fort Wayne’s unique heritage and incredible history.