An historic portrait of Maimi chief Jean Baptiste Richardville is undergoing restoration in preparation for display at the Historic Forks of the Wabash.

At right, Monica Radecki of Gadecki Galleries, Inc. in South Bend examines the portrait to determine what it will take to restore the portrait to prime condition and conserve it for future generations.

The portrait was delivered by Jim and Susan Taylor of Huntington. It will be on permanent loan to the Forks of the Wabash by Mrs. Charlene Wirtner, a Miami descendant.

Once restored, the painting will be in the company of portraits of Francis Lafontaine, Catherine, his wife, and a son, John, all of which are attributed to the artist R.B. Craft.

J. B. Richardville (pronounced Roosheville) was the sone of a French trader, Joseph Droet de Richardville and Tah-Kum-Wah, a niece of Little Turtle. He was born in Kekionga (Fort Wayne) in 1761. Pe-she-wa (The Lynx) was his Miami name. After Little Turtle died, Richardville became the principal chief of the Miami Indians and negotiated several treaties with the United States government. Through his land holdings and businesses, he was rumored to be one of the wealthiest men in Indiana. After his death in 1841, he was succeeded as chief of the Miamis by Francis LaFontaine.

More detailed information on Chief Richardville can be found in The History of Huntington County by F.S. Bash (pages 33-36, 112, 396) available in the Indiana Room of the Huntington City-Township Public Library.