About Discovery Express | Ligonier, Indiana



Discovery Express is a unique concept in two ways: First showing how Genesis and the rest of the Bible relate history and science to us in today’s culture. Showing how history and science are consistent with the Bible to reveal a completed picture of the past, the impact on day to day living for the present and the plan for the future. But when they are applied independently the puzzle the puzzle of this world has missing pieces leaving holes and gaps in our understanding. Secondly it redefines the word: Mu-se-um “\myū-̀zē-əm\ n : an institution devoted to the care and display of objects of lasting interest or value.” To include “Blow the dust off and lets get busy!” Our minds are designed to learn through our senses. This approach stimulates both sides of the brain using creativity and cognitive skills to develop knowledge and critical thinking in this multi-sensory surroundings. The more senses used to experience some-thing the greater the retention and increased desire to apply or share that knowledge. A true process of discovery! History of the Organization: In April 2004 the vision was realized and built upon by a group of ordinary people in the Ligonier area who had a passion to build a family oriented museum to meet the needs of the greater community by relating biblical truths to current culture through history and science. The organization was built, incorporated and gained non-profit status by Au-gust 10, 2005. To date the group has built working relationships within the local com-munity raising awareness and support, developed a traveling program with capabilities to visit the visitor, begun board development, and is currently working on the strategic plan and capital campaign. History of the Building: The turn of the century factory was constructed by Solomon Mier in 1890 as Mier Car-riage and Buggy Company. A two story was added to the west side in 1895. In 1898 a Mier Buggy sold for $45.00. The factory embraced the new technology changed its name to Ligonier Auto Body Company and lead the state in producing a few of the very first automobiles. In 1905 to 1909 a Mier Automobile called the “Ducktail Runabout” was manufactured. It was a two cylinder four cycle with a 12 horsepower chain friction drive. The only known automobile left in existence to testify to this factory is the Harkless Meir Automobile built in 1906 which is now housed in the Syracuse-Wawasee Museum. The building has had many owners and uses over the years each with a unique and in-triguing story. In July 1932 Wirk Garment Industries purchased the building in a sheriff sale for the manufacturing of uniforms. Women worked around producing uniforms for their men during WWII. Again Ligonier embraced technology and lead the country in using the first IBM sewing machines. Clarence Whitman & Sons, Inc. built the world’s largest base drum (now used by Purdue University during football games) along with other varied instruments from 1952 to 1957 after purchasing the property from Wirk Garment. Prince Gardner Company Inc. bought the factory property in in 1957 to begin the manu-facturing of billfolds and belts. In 1960 the property was sold to Ligonier Indiana Devel-opment Corporation which in turn sold it to Clifford and Susan Pettit who rented the loft building out to Tower Trophy Industries and most recent tenant a furniture craftsman during the early 1980’s. Since that time the building was unoccupied and had become a forgotten treasure. The building was donated to Discovery Express by the Cliff & Susan Pettit Family in December of 2005 for restoration and museum purposes. If you have artifacts from these manufactures or information pertaining to these companies or manufactured products please feel free to contact us and include your story.

Discovery Express is a unique concept in two ways:

First showing how Genesis and the rest of the Bible relate history and science to us in today’s culture. Showing how history and science are consistent with the Bible to reveal a completed picture of the past, the impact on day to day living for the present and the plan for the future. But when they are applied independently the puzzle the puzzle of this world has missing pieces leaving holes and gaps in our understanding.

Secondly it redefines the word: Mu-se-um “\myū-̀zē-əm\ n : an institution devoted to the care and display of objects of lasting interest or value.” To include “Blow the dust off and lets get busy!”
Our minds are designed to learn through our senses. This approach stimulates both sides of the brain using creativity and cognitive skills to develop knowledge and critical thinking in this multi-sensory surroundings. The more senses used to experience some-thing the greater the retention and increased desire to apply or share that knowledge. A true process of discovery!

History of the Organization:

In April 2004 the vision was realized and built upon by a group of ordinary people in the Ligonier area who had a passion to build a family oriented museum to meet the needs of the greater community by relating biblical truths to current culture through history and science. The organization was built, incorporated and gained non-profit status by Au-gust 10, 2005. To date the group has built working relationships within the local com-munity raising awareness and support, developed a traveling program with capabilities to visit the visitor, begun board development, and is currently working on the strategic plan and capital campaign.

History of the Building:

The turn of the century factory was constructed by Solomon Mier in 1890 as Mier Car-riage and Buggy Company. A two story was added to the west side in 1895. In 1898 a Mier Buggy sold for $45.00. The factory embraced the new technology changed its name to Ligonier Auto Body Company and lead the state in producing a few of the very first automobiles. In 1905 to 1909 a Mier Automobile called the “Ducktail Runabout” was manufactured. It was a two cylinder four cycle with a 12 horsepower chain friction drive. The only known automobile left in existence to testify to this factory is the Harkless Meir Automobile built in 1906 which is now housed in the Syracuse-Wawasee Museum.

The building has had many owners and uses over the years each with a unique and in-triguing story. In July 1932 Wirk Garment Industries purchased the building in a sheriff sale for the manufacturing of uniforms. Women worked around producing uniforms for their men during WWII. Again Ligonier embraced technology and lead the country in using the first IBM sewing machines. Clarence Whitman & Sons, Inc. built the world’s largest base drum (now used by Purdue University during football games) along with other varied instruments from 1952 to 1957 after purchasing the property from Wirk Garment.

Prince Gardner Company Inc. bought the factory property in in 1957 to begin the manu-facturing of billfolds and belts. In 1960 the property was sold to Ligonier Indiana Devel-opment Corporation which in turn sold it to Clifford and Susan Pettit who rented the loft building out to Tower Trophy Industries and most recent tenant a furniture craftsman during the early 1980’s. Since that time the building was unoccupied and had become a forgotten treasure.

The building was donated to Discovery Express by the Cliff & Susan Pettit Family in December of 2005 for restoration and museum purposes. If you have artifacts from these manufactures or information pertaining to these companies or manufactured products please feel free to contact us and include your story.