New "Explore North Berrien" Map

Visitors to the museum are now able to "explore North Berrien" using an interactive historical map of the area. This new permanent exhibit is a color graphic panel that measures 69" x 77" and is located in the main museum gallery. The map provides an overview of roads, waterways, and North Berrien communities. Visitors will find eight images from the museum's collection that lift to reveal a detailed explanation of the photograph.



"Explore North Berrien" will be particularly beneficial to school groups and children who visit the museum. The map will help young people grasp the concept of local geography through the use of recognizable landmarks. Classes will begin their tours in front of the map for a visual overview of our community history. Out-of-town visitors are another group that will benefit from this new exhibit. Those new to North Berrien will be able to see the area they are visiting including Paw Paw Lake, Lake Michigan, and the orchards of Bainbridge Township.

Under the direction of museum staff, graphic design fro the exhibit was completed by Robin Maxon of Maxon Graphix in St. Joseph. The display was printed and installed by Anchor Signs in Benton Harbor. Please stop in during open hours to explore our latest addition to the museum gallery.

Museum welcomes home school students at any time

The North Berrien Historical Museum offers free educational programs year-round that are perfect for school and home school groups. Museum tours, walking tours, hands-on crafts, traveling trunks, and slide presentations are available for all age groups, and our third and fourth grade museum tours meet Michigan’s Social Studies Grade Level Content Expectations for History. Contact the Director of Education at (269) 468-3330 or nbhs2@sbcglobal.net to learn more or to schedule an engaging and memorable program for your group.

To help share these opportunities with homeschoolers in southwest Michigan, we have recently outreached to several online groups. We are now listed as an approved field trip by the Homeschool Buyers Co-op, a national organization of nearly 64,000 families. We will also appear soon on the Home EDucators Resource Directory, another national network of information for homeschoolers.

If you or anyone you know is a home school family, keep the North Berrien Historical Museum in mind for a quality educational outing. Our monthly E-News is a great way to stay informed about museum events. Annual temporary exhibits and public programs mean that there’s always something new to discover here!

All ages invited to Victorian Valentines Party on February 12

The North Berrien Historical Museum welcomes the public to attend a Victorian Valentines Party on Saturday, February 12 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Bring along family and friends to celebrate Valentine’s Day with festive games and refreshments. All ages will enjoy being creative with an array of craft materials for making your own special valentine card to give away. Get inspiration from our collection of historic valentines spanning the 20th century which will be on display.

There is a suggested donation of $3/person for the valentine craft. RSVP is appreciated at (269) 468-3330 or nbhs2@sbcglobal.net. The North Berrien Historical Museum is located on Red Arrow Highway, across the street from Coloma High School, at 300 Coloma Avenue. For more information contact the museum at (269) 468-3330.