THE END OF AN ERA

August 14, 2022
 
Dear Friends of The Valparaiso International Center,
 
You may soon notice some changes on the 300 block of East Lincolnway. The building that housed our organizational headquarters for fifteen years is scheduled for demolition beginning on Monday, August 15. The property is being cleared to make way for a parking garage that is part of a new downtown housing development.
 
The small frame house at 309 East Lincolnway stood for nearly a century and a half. Over the years it served as a private residence for numerous owners and tenants. Later it housed a hair salon and a Christian ministry that assisted the needy. VIC founder Duane Davison and his wife Frieda acquired the property in 2007 and transformed the structure into The Valparaiso International Center. The building was structurally sound but required some renovation and updates, all the work done by volunteers and supporters. An iconic mural representing The VIC’s mission to bring diverse cultures together was painted on the east side of the building and became a community landmark.
 
The VIC thrived at that location. It hosted a huge variety of cultural, educational, and fundraising events. Fourth Friday presenters from every corner of the world shared the virtues of their home countries. There were salsa classes, drumming demonstrations, ESL English instruction, and Spanish language practice sessions. Chinese Tea Parties promoted the culture of the world’s largest country. There were book discussions, a series of presentations about world religions, and conversations about international social issues. Each holiday season the building housed a fundraising bazaar featuring fair-trade arts and crafts from across the globe. All the planning for The VIC’s feature event, the annual World Cultural Festival, took place there for more than a decade.
 
Even though the building will be gone, we want our friends to know that The VIC still exists with its mission intact and a determination to continue its work with renewed vigor. Planning for the 2022 World Cultural Festival is in its final stages, and we look forward to seeing you at Central Park Plaza and the William E. Urschel Pavilion on Sunday, September 18, from 12 noon to 5pm.
 
Sincerely,
 
The Board of Directors of The Valparaiso International Center