Dec. 20 -- BRISTOL -- The Elkhart County Historical Museum received a $5,000 grant from the Bristol American Legion Post 143 this week.

The grant will support the cost of new programs for kids and families in 2025 and 2026. Funds will help offset the expenses of the museum's major exhibit for the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026 focused on the waters of our region. The project will include content for all ages and feature hands-on activities designed to engage young learners.

In July 2025, as the museum builds toward the 250th, the staff will partner with Elkhart County Parks naturalists to present a family event on the nomadic Paleo people. These hunter-gatherers would have been the first to traverse the Great Lakes region, and this grant will help bring these people of the distant past to life for audiences today.

The grant is funded by the Bristol American Legion Post 143 with additional support from the Sons of the American Legion, the Ladies Auxiliary, and the American Legion Riders.

"Everyone at Post 143 is excited to be supporting the Elkhart County Historical Museum's programming and exhibit goals over 2025 and 2026, and we're proud to partner with them on their upcoming projects," said Frank Parmater, Post financial officer.