For a complete history of the National American Red Cross, please visit:
http://www.redcross.org/museum/

Porter County Chapter History
The Porter County Chapter of the American Red Cross began as the Valparaiso Chapter. It was formed as a temporary organization on March 16, 1917 with Mrs. Ina Cunningham as Chairman and Mrs. Lucy D. Putnam as Secretary.

The Valparaiso Chapter became a permanently chartered organization on April 26, 1917 with the following officers presiding over the chapter: Lewis E. Myers, Chairman; Mrs. Ina Cunningham, Valparaiso Vice-Chairman; Dr. C.O. Wiltfong, Chesterton Vice Chairman; George W Gidley, Hebron Vice-Chairman; Mrs. Lucy D. Putnam, Secretary; and C.W. Benton, Treasurer. The chapter enrolled over 5,000 members during the first eight (8) months of existence.

The Red Cross Work Room was in a very busy place - the Assembly Room at the Carnegie Library, which was located on Jefferson Street where our Valparaiso Public Library now stands.

This information was discovered in a time capsule found during the remodeling of the Post Office for City Hall. This information was in the form of a hand-written letter, on American Red Cross stationary, by Mrs. W.H. Williams, who was a committee chairman back in 1918.

Early records show that the Porter County Chapter of the American Red Cross was originally chartered as the Valparaiso Chapter on April 26, 1917. It became the Porter County Chapter on July 1, 1921 and was “authorized and obligated to engage in Red Cross activities in conformity with the policies and regulations prescribed and to be prescribed by the Central Committee at Washington.” This certification was signed by President Warren G. Harding.

Pictured L-R:  Clara Barton, Henry Dunant, Dr. Charles Drew, and Jane Delano.