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The Seiberling Mansion sits along West Sycamore Street, serving today as the Howard County Museum. Its remarkable life extends well beyond that purpose. As one of the stateliest landmarks in the community, it has been a home to multiple families.
But its time as the center of postsecondary education in Kokomo cannot be overlooked. For decades, the Seiberling Mansion served as the home of Indiana University Kokomo. Recently, the Howard County Historical Society unveiled an exhibit devoted to this era.
In a ceremony to introduce the new display, Howard County Historical Society Executive Director Anne Shaw welcomed a small crowd of IUK alumni and history enthusiasts to the museum.
“IU Kokomo is very special,” said Shaw. “There's a huge history here, so I'm very excited to be able to experience this with all of you and to be able to show visitors from all over how important IUK is, to not only to Kokomo, but to the history of Howard County.”
Shaw and curator Alyssa Witter-Pier unveiled the exhibit, which encompasses the library and the music room on the ground floor of the museum. Those in attendance reviewed the exhibit, but IU Kokomo isn’t limited to those two rooms.
Throughout the museum, small displays, photos, and information on the university’s time at the Seiberling can be found. And a full-scale replica of the university’s original sign hangs over the front porch steps of the mansion. But the centerpiece of the exhibit is a full photographic representation of a mural created by IU Kokomo students which still exists in the mansion’s basement.
The exhibit is the first to be curated by Witter-Pier, who joined the historical society staff in 2024. She was assisted by long-time society researcher Randy Smith.
“A lot of hours went into this exhibit,” said Shaw. “I think it looks great. Alyssa and Randy did a wonderful job. This is her first exhibit for us, and we're very excited for that. They had all kinds of creative ideas, along with our exhibit committee.”
Shaw was sure to thank some of the IU Kokomo alumni who assisted with the exhibit, including James Long, Ronald Simpson, and Sally Tibbets. She also credited historical society board member Linda Ferris for her assistance with the wording on each display.
Then, Shaw asked for a show of hands to see who among those at the unveiling were IU Kokomo graduates. The room was filled with outstretched hands.
“We're excited to have you here,” said Shaw. “That is awesome! I moved here in 2017, so I am not a native Kokomoan, but when I moved here, I saw that we had an IU campus. I've been to other ‘satellite’ campuses, IUPUI, South Bend, Fort Wayne. So, I thought it’s just another satellite campus. But I was very wrong about that.”
The IU Kokomo exhibit is just one of several events and special features presented by the historical society this fall. The annual Cemetery Walk takes place Oct. 10-11, and tickets are available now at www.howardcountymuseum.org. And Christmas at the Seiberling returns Nov. 29.
The Howard County Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 1-4 p.m. The historical society offices are open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment, call 765-452-4314.