Formed in 2000, the Indiana University South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center's (CRHC) mission is to preserve the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and the history of racial struggles and extraordinary achievements of local citizens. Since its inception, CRHC students, faculty, and volunteers have conducted research into the African American civil rights experience in and around South Bend, Indiana. They began an extensive Oral History collection and identified and acquired important archival materials from such prominent people as Helen Pope (for whom a scholarship at IU South Bend is named), Jesse Dickinson (African American Indiana state legislator), Dr. Bernard Streets (one of the first African American dentists), and others.

Perhaps the CRHC's defining achievement has been the re-opening the former Engman Natatorium, a once-segregated swimming pool on the west side of South Bend. Beginning in 2005, the CRHC led partners from IU South Bend, the South Bend Heritage Foundation, and the City of South Bend to transform the dilapidated building into a new home for the Civil Rights Heritage Center. Opened in May 2010, the new CRHC facility at the former Engman Natatorium offers tours related to local Civil Rights history, exhibitions (permanent and temporary), lecture series, and additional programming.