Civil Rights Heritage Center

When it opened in 1922, the Engman Public Natatorium was the largest indoor swimming pool in the state of Indiana. At the time, African Americans were moving into northern cities like South Bend in record numbers. In spite of this, and likely because of it, the leaders of this so-called "public" pool chose to exclude, and then segregate against people of color for almost thirty years.

The history of the Natatorium's racist past and its transformation into the Indiana University South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center is a story of hope, a story of courage, and a story important enough for all to hear.