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Historic Bremen, Inc., is a not-for-profit local preservation and historical organization created to preserve items and memorabilia from the town’s past in the Bremen History Center and Bremen Historic Train Depot in Bremen, Indiana.

For information, contact Derek Jensen at derekzarban@gmail.com.

The History Center displays bits of Bremen’s history, from the town’s origins as an agricultural center and home of the Holland (later American) Radiator factory to the political career of Bremen’s own Doc Bowen. The Historic Depot displays items of local railroad history, including tools, flags, and lanterns, and a recreation of the station agent’s office. All told, they are the culmination of more than a decade of work.

Historic Bremen Depot - 2015
R T Henke (right) with supporters Roger Mikel (left) and John Zentz (middle)

History

In December of 2001, a meeting was held by Linda Mullen-Clevenger and Rhonda McIntyre to discuss saving the deteriorating B&O train depot. Those attending, including a representative form Historic Landmarks of Indiana, agreed to organize “Historic Bremen, Inc.”

After formation in 2002, as we worked to save and restore the town’s historic B&O train depot, pieces of community history were collected with an eye toward eventually creating a history center.

After much negotiation and fundraising efforts, the depot building was acquired and moved, then eventually renovated and rededicated in 2011 at its new home on Douglas Road.

Virginia Henke (left) with Ann Scott (middle) and Joan McCrady (right)

Our work continued in 2013, when the Town Council agreed to let us turn part of the ground floor of the century-old PE Dietrich building into the new Bremen History Center. The council also funded the construction materials, stipulating that volunteers should perform the actual renovation of the space.

Results

Tremendous dedication, creativity, and community spirit allowed our volunteers to renovate the facilities into the beautiful and functional center for remembering and telling Bremen’s past.

Credit for seeing the history center to completion goes to those volunteers, with special thanks to Kent Koontz, owner of Koontz Hardware in Bremen.

—Historic Bremen, Inc.

For information, contact Derek Jensen at derekzarban@gmail.com.

Board of directors 2023:

  • Derek Jensen, president
  • Virginia Henke, vice-president
  • RT Henke, secretary
  • Heidi Krost, treasurer and membership officer
  • Kent Koontz
  • Kay Schermier
  • Ann Scott
  • Jay Stouder
  • (four open seats)