10 things to do at the Museum in 2010!

1 museum that is open year-round!

2 days of the Tri-City Heritage Tour, June 26-27, 2010.

3 days of Glad-Peach Festival in downtown Coloma, August 6-8, 2010

4 great speakers booked so far! Tracy Gierada will speak on Interurban trains January 19, Ron Taylor will discuss Mary’s Vegetarian Restaurant on February 16, Dr. Erika Doss will speak on Atomic Anxiety in Post World War II American culture on May 4, and May 18 Bruce Johnson will discuss Belle Gunness: LaPorte’s infamous serial killer.

1950’s Spring Break event. April 7, 2010.

6 weeks of The Life Atomic exhibit April 1 – May 15, 2010.

7 additional speakers for membership meetings to still be arranged!

8 other professionally staffed history museums in the tri-county area. You can never visit too many museums!

9 new Christmas trees in the Carter living room during our Holiday Open House, December 3-5, 2010.

2010 is time to vote for our millage renewal on August 3. Remember vote yes!

Cottage of the Four Seasons wins Peoples Choice Award

The Cottage of the Four Seasons was honored with the first annual People's Choice Award on Tuesday, December 15 at the North Berrien Historical Museum. A Gathering of 50 volunteers who assisted with making the event a success were in attendance at the award ceremony. Dusky Turner and Gayle Kelley accepted the award from Director Alexander Gates.

186 votes were cast at the Holiday Open House, December 5-6.


Second place went to Edgewater Bank

Third place to the Michigan Agri Women.


Thank you again to all 17 of our tree sponsors. We look forward to another terrific open house in 2010.

Looking for North Berrien Fallout Shelters

The North Berrien Historical Museum will host the exhibit "The Life Atomic: Growing Up in the Shadow of the A-bomb" April 1-May 15, 2010. Included in the exhibit is a section on the local effects of the atomic bomb. The North Berrien Historical Society is seeking information about fallout shelters built in the North Berrien area during the 1950s and 1960s. Do you remember building a shelter? Or do you have one on your property that is now used for another use?

Please contact the museum at 468-3330 if you have any information to share.

Holiday Open House a Great Success!

The 2009 North Berrien Holiday Open House was a great success thanks to the hard work of over 100 volunteers.



17 sponsors decorated 15 trees in the main museum building and the Carter House. The trees were viewed by 475 visitors who attended the open house over the weekend. 186 votes were cast for best tree, which will be announced at a volunteer reception on December 15.



Music was provided by The Children's Musical Workshop, Coloma Middle School, Coloma Junior High, Coloma High School, and Brenda Kniebes & Sherry Meyer.



Children of all ages made gingerbread houses and ornaments to take home.



Santa and Mrs. Claus once again visited the museum, creating excitment for many visiting children.



Mark you calendar for 2010 North Berrien Holiday Open House, December 4-5.

Holiday Decor

Holiday decor provided by local businesses and organizations will be on display throughout the holiday season.

Michigan Agri Women

Coloma Lioness Club

Cottage of the Four Seasons

Chemical Bank

The Friendly Tavern

Holiday Sneak Preview!

The 2009 Holiday Open House promises to be the best ever!



(L-R) The Friendly Tavern, Coloma Lioness, Chemical Bank, Edgewater Bank, Whistler Farms, Community Hospital



The Friendly Tavern tree.



Edgewater Bank's tree.

Sponsors Lined up for Christmas Trees

The North Berrien Historical Museum's 2009 Holiday Open House promises to be the biggest and best to date. Numerous tree sponsors have confirmed that they will decorate a tree this year. Confirmed sponsors include Edgewater Bank, Chemical Bank, Berrien Teacher's Credit Union, the Marc Hettig Family, Faith Lutheran Church, North Berrien Fire Rescue Ladies Auxillary, Community Hospital, the Coloma Lioness Club, and the Friendly Tavern.

In addition many trees will be decorated by North Berrien Historical Society members and volunteers. Stop by December 5 & 6 to see these beautiful trees on display!

Visitors enjoy "Spooky" tours on Halloween

The first annual "spooky" walking tours of Coloma and Watervliet were a great success. Despite cold weather the rain stayed away and allowed for two fascinating tours featuring local history stories.


Participants gathered in front of the grave of Stephen R. Gilson, "the founder of Coloma."


Participants gather for a picture with some of the local residents who still reside in the cemetary!


North Berrien Historical Society member Elaine Lavender offers a the ghost of a hobo some money by the train tracks. Newspaper accounts report that local residents used to fear hobos that hitched rides on the trains.

Holiday Open House - December 5 & 6

The North Berrien Historical Museum will host its annual Holiday Open House on December 5-6, 2009.

The museum will feature over 15 decorated Christmas trees and other holiday décor across the museum campus. Many of the trees this year are sponsored and decorated by local businesses and civic organizations.

The museum will be open special hours both days from 10-4. New this year is Santa’s Workshop where children will be able to make a free craft in an “elves only” area for their parents. Santa’s workshop will take place all day on Saturday and Sunday. Santa & Mrs. Claus will be available to visit with children both days from 2-4. Musical performances will take place throughout the weekend by local performers.

Gingerbread house making will be available on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1-4. The cost of making a house is $5. Finally on Sunday, a holiday cookie walk will take place from 1-4pm. For $5 visitors can fill a box with their favorite cookies to take home.

The museum will be collecting unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots during the open house and throughout the holiday season.

Regular winter hours for the museum are Wednesday through Friday, 10am to 4pm. The museum is free and guided tours are available.

For more information contact Alexander Gates, Director/Curator, at 269-468-3330

Halloween celebrated with Spooky Walking Tours in Coloma and Watervliet

The North Berrien Historical Society invites the general public to join us for a Spooky Walking Tour in Coloma or Watervliet to celebrate Halloween on Saturday, October 31, 2009. The tours will feature spooky stories of ghosts, criminals, UFOs, and other mysterious happenings from our local history, plus fun Halloween trivia.

The first tour will depart from the Watervliet District Library parking lot at 1:00 pm, and cover approximately one mile through downtown Watervliet and the Watervliet Cemetery. The second tour will depart from the Coloma Public Library parking lot at 4:00 pm, covering approximately one mile through downtown Coloma and the Coloma Cemetery.

Each Spooky Walking Tour will last about one hour and costs $2 per person. Tours are family-friendly, but not recommended for children under 7. The programs will go on in rain or shine, so guests should dress appropriately for the weather.

For more information contact Tracy Gierada, Director of Education, at (269) 468-3330.

Now on View!

North Berrien Historical Society Annual Dinner

The North Berrien Historical Society held its annual dinner on October 20 at Sarett Nature Center. 45 members attended the dinner and presentation by Sarett director and NBHS member Chuck Nelson. Nelson presented on his recent trip to Madagascar and amazed the audience with stories of spiders, bats, and snakes that inhabit the island.

Dinner was provided by Country Kitchen Catering out of Riverside and was greatly enjoyed by all. Board members Scott Young and Shirley Boone were re-elected to three year terms on the board. Afterward Director Alex Gates presented the annual report commenting on the strength of the organization during these uncertain times.

Lawn Improvements at North Berrien Historical Museum

Lawn improvements are being implemented this fall at the North Berrien Historical Museum. The space between the Carter House and agricultural buildings is being cleared out to increase the lawn space between the two buildings.



For several years the space has been over grown with weeds and large stumps. Problems such as bee hives and poison ivy have made the space off limits for programming.



The area has now been cleard by J&J Lawn Service and work has begun on planting grass in the area. A large open lawn space will be of use for outdoor events throughout the summer months.

Spooky Fall Schedule!

New spooky walking tours are being offered by the North Berrien Historical Society this Halloween. The tours will last approximately one hour and cover "spooky" stories from downtown and the cememtary.



Saturday, October 31 - Spooky Walking Tour of Watervliet, 1pm, $2/ person, departs from Watervliet Library parking lot

Spooky Walking Tour of Coloma, 4pm, $2/ person, departs from Coloma Library parking lot

Brave participants may register at North Berrien Historical Museum or by phone at 269-468-3330.

Now on Display - 175 Years: Objects & Stories from the Permanent Collection

A new display covering the history of North Berrien County is now on view at the North Berrien Historical Museum. The exhibit, 175 Years: Objects & Stories from the Permanent Collection covers the modern history of the region including immigration, tourism, and industry.


North Berrien Residents and Tools of the Trade cases.

Six cases in all have been filled with objects from the collection replacing Hats, Caps & Bonnets: A History of Headwear. 175 Years will be on permanent display for several years as part of the permanent history gallery.


Twin Cities Container Corporation truck, Watervliet Record newspaper engravings, and Watervliet Paper Mill materials.

The North Berrien Historical Museum gallery hours are Wednesday - Friday, 10-4 with weekend hours resuming in April. For more information visit www.northberrienhistory.org or call 269-468-3330.

New Local History Exhibit Opens October 8

The permanent collection of the North Berrien Historical Society preserves the human record of the North Berrien area. For more than 43 years the NBHS has gathered and protected artifacts, documents, and books that are crucial to teaching future generations about the past. While many individual stories can be illustrated with collections pieces, when brought together they show a rich, interconnected regional history.

The upcoming exhibition 175 Years: Objects & Stories from the Permanent Collection will bring numerous artifacts out of storage and onto public display, some for the first time ever. Unassuming objects and photographs from countless donors can shape our local identity by offering fascinating windows into years gone by. Some forgotten objects have recently re-surfaced in the collection and their stories are once again remembered.

To celebrate the 175th anniversary of the first settlement at Shingle Diggin’s back in 1834, NBHS is offering a fresh look at the objects and stories in our permanent collection. The following are a few selections of objects and stories that will be featured in the exhibit.

The early settlement of the area is difficult to represent through the collection, as few objects and no contemporary images have surfaced. Some of the few surviving artifacts from that era are Methodist hymnals owned by Jerdon Jones. The oldest hymnal is inscribed “Dickervill January the __ 1854,” a rare written reference to the pre-Coloma days. Jones was an early settler who owned property along the southwest shore of Paw Paw Lake. The other hymnals were printed in 1860 and were used in the early years of Methodist worship in the area.



With the 100th anniversary of the annual Coloma-Watervliet football rivalry, the story of young Emil Hingst was revived through objects and photographs in the collection. His framed portrait was recently donated to the museum by Bob Myers of Stevensville to accompany Hingst’s football pants, which have been on display in the sports case for many years. Several Coloma High School football team images dating from 1916-1918, in which Hingst is pictured, have also recently been added to the collection. Yet, his tragic story takes us far beyond high school football and into other important historical themes.



Myers stated that after the final game of the season against Watervliet on November 11, 1918, Hingst drove to Benton Harbor in an open-top automobile and fell ill soon after. Emil Hingst died of influenza in Coloma Township on December 3 at the age of 19. The frame holding Hingst’s image is typical those available during the First World War, with an eagle holding a flag on the top and an American flag shield on the bottom. This portrait could easily be misidentified as that of a fallen soldier if not for the accompanying story. Hingst was not the only person to die of influenza at this time as millions perished during a pandemic just after the war’s end.

Not all objects at the North Berrien Historical Museum are exceptionally old. Some pieces have been added to our collection to represent more current times and to continue the historic narrative into the present. A water ski donated by Carole Sternaman illustrates the modern age of leisure on Paw Paw Lake. In the latter half of the twentieth century speed boats led the way to new forms of summertime entertainment in the lake.

Numerous photographs from the collection will be used to illustrate the built landscape that once existed in the area. The west wall of the museum will be an interactive display featuring images of vanished places in North Berrien. These include the Syms Mansion in Watervliet, the Watervliet Paper Mill, Jacobia, and the Interurban Railroad. Visitors will look at a map and attempt to guess which building used to stand in which location. The goal is that visitors will recognize where historic buildings existed when touring around the area, and gain some insight as to how those buildings shaped life here.

A few objects will be included in the display because their stories remain a mystery and their exhibition may provide us with more information. A coin from the Giudice Ice Cream Parlor in Coloma appears to be the sole artifact left from a business that has left no other trace. The shop was likely located on Paw Paw Lake, but no one has yet come forward with any other information about it.

Finally, a changing textile exhibit will be created to display the museum’s diverse holdings of clothing, accessories, and home furnishings. Over 500 textile pieces are in the collection, so the display will be rotated regularly. Textiles are highly susceptible to damage and will be displayed for limited time only to ensure their preservation for future generations.

The new exhibit 175 Years: Objects & Stories from the Permanent Collection will include the six cases formerly filled with hats as well as the northwest corner of the museum. Please join us for refreshments and good company at our Opening Reception on Thursday, October 8 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm.

Summer Time Travelers meets goals: learning and fun

The Summer Time Travelers kids programs introduced at the museum in June, July, and August 2009 were a great success. At each program, kids ages 5-12 and families were invited to take a trip to the past and experience life in years gone by. A unique theme tied together activities throughout the museum, providing kids with a hands-on, interactive and fun tour through time. Advance registration was required but the programs were free of charge to all participants.

The Time Travelers theme on June 24 was Music. We discovered the importance of drumming to the Potawatomi, and we explored an array of historic instruments from the NBHS collection. The Citadel Dancers performed jazz and tap routines and we learned about and listened to famous musicians like Louis Armstrong and Guy Lombardo who played at Paw Paw Lake in the resort era. After looking at a gramophone, record player, 8-track, cassette, and CD, kids made a candy i-Pod to remind them of the huge leaps in technology that have shaped music today. We also practiced the Star Spangled Banner and everyone went home with a small American flag, just in time for the 4th of July.



On July 15 the Time Travelers theme was Travel. Boat Bingo was a fun way to look at sailboats, steamers, shipwrecks, lighthouses, and other water travel images from our local history. NBHS photographs of the interurban, the railroad, and artifacts like sleighs, carriages, and cars helped us cover the many modes of travel from the past. Working model trains were on loan from J&W Model Trains in Coloma and from Sally Williams. Kids made a model birch bark canoe and a model airplane to take home. Just after we saw a slideshow of the major milestones in U.S. space travel, a model rocket was launched courtesy of Bob’s Hobby & Collector’s Shop in Watervliet.

Food was the theme for August 12, when our Time Travelers played many games to explore the history of cooking and eating. Items from the NBHS collection that we enjoyed learning from included the ancient stone mortar and pestle, butter churns, a bee smoker, a wooden icebox, and a porcelain chamber pot. Many food samples were tried throughout the program, like fresh basil, mint tea, fresh churned butter, orange cake, pickled vegetables, salt pork, smoked whitefish, and beef jerky. The kids also received a coloring cookbook with historic recipes to take home.



Learning and fun were the two major goals of Summer Time Travelers, aiming to inspire a lifelong interest in history and in historical museums. The North Berrien Historical Museum was able to offer these exciting programs for free because of the generous contributions of local business owners and volunteers, including Mike Pirri, Elaine Gierada, Caroline Elsner, Bob Taylor, John Piehl, Kathleen Walter, Sherry Polashak, Marc Hettig, Marie Sineni, Alice Mow, Maureen Saltzman, Sally Williams, Scott Young, and Shirley Boone. With many ideas in mind for the future, we hope to continue Summer Time Travelers as an annual tradition of learning and fun at the museum.

Rain didn't "dampen" Glad-Peach fun!

Despite the rainy weather, the North Berrien Historical Society celebrated a great 42nd annual Glad-Peach Festival in downtown Coloma. Peach ice cream and chili dogs were again a great hit with the crowds over the festive weekend. On Saturday the Michigan Forest Associaton brought their traveling "Wanigan" exhibit to the park.

Join us at the Coloma Glad-Peach Festival

Join the North Berrien Historical Society downtown Coloma at the Glad-Peach Festival. The Festvial runs August 6-9. The socity will once again be selling delicious hot dogs and ice cream in their cone barn. Locally produced peach ice cream from Sherman's Dairy in South Haven, MI is the perfect treat on a hot August day!
Additional events this year include the "Wanigan" a traveling exhibit from the Michigan Forest Association that will be on display next to the cone barn on Saturday. Also on Saturday join us at the Loma Theatre to view a historic film festival at either 2:30 or 3:30. A newly constructed Glad-Peach photo stand has also been added so that visitors can take their picture as either a gladiola or a peach throughout the festival!

Football Exhibit Open

An exhibit on the 100 years of Coloma-Watervliet football is now on view at the North Berrien Historical Museum. Football uniforms and team photos tell the story of how high school football has evolved over a century in North Berrien. The exhibit will be on view through August 15, 2009 and will return to the museum after the 100th game on August 28.

The museum continues to collect football photographs - particularly those dating before the advent of yearbooks in 1952. Please contact the museum at 269-468-3330 if you have images the museum may copy for the exhibit. Former players may register their memories of the Coloma-Watervliet football game at www.patherstadium.net/100.

Additional activities accompanying the football game include a golf scramble at Paw Paw Lake Golf Course and a Classic Car Show at Watervliet High School, both on Saturday, August 29. Football t-shirts are still available at the museum and will also be sold at the Coloma Glad-Peach Festival.

Gold Discovered in Coloma!

The North Berrien Historical Museum has added gold related items to the gift store in honor of Coloma's 175th Anniversary. In 1850 a group of Coloma men lead by Stephen Gilson traveled to Coloma, California to seek their fortune in the gold mines. Upon their return in 1855 the town of 'Dickerville,' Michigan was renamed Coloma by Mr. Gilson for his fond memories of his gold rush adventure. Gold assay bottles with 24 carat gold are currently available for sale along with fool's gold (pyrite), and a new supply of arrowheads and fossils will be arriving in August. These small objects make great gifts for children and are great souvenirs of your North Berrien vacation.

Upcoming Summer Speakers

The North Berrien Historical Museum is please to announce its upcoming summer speakers.


Tuesday, July 21, 7pm - Valerie van Heest, Holland Michigan. "Shipwrecked!” Learn about the fascinating history of shipwrecks off of North Berrien’s Lake Michigan coast. Valerie will specifically talk about the wreck of the Hennepin, the first self-unloading ship, which went down off the coast of South Haven, MI.


Tuesday, August 18, 7pm - Stephen Smith, “Jack Dempsey and the Battle of Benton Harbor.” Coloma native Stephen Smith will discuss the only heavy-weight boxing championship held in Berrien County. The 1920 fight between Jack Dempsey and Billy Miske was nicknamed the “Battle of Benton Harbor” and attracted a crowd of more than 15,000 onlookers.


Tuesday, September 15, 7pm - Kristen Patzer Umphrey, The History Center at Courthouse Square. “America’s Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright.” Hear about the Frank Lloyd Wright homes in southwest Michigan.

All museum talks are free and open to the public. For more information call the museum at 269-468-3330.

Coming Spring 2010: The Life Atomic!

Do you remember “duck and cover” drills at school? Did you shiver at the sight of giant mutant ants in the classic film THEM? Perhaps you rushed through a box of cereal so that you could send off the box top and get your very own Lone Ranger Atomic Bomb Ring. Maybe you remember being both really scared during the Cuban Missile Crisis and really entertained by the crazy characters in Dr. Strangelove.

Perhaps you’re way too young to remember the 1950s, but you love “retro” fashions and home décor. Maybe you were still a youngster during the frightening events of September 11, 2001, and you wonder if young people in earlier times ever had to live with threats like the fear of terrorist attack.

Whether you are a Baby Boomer who remembers the early atomic age or a younger person who is curious about that time, a new traveling loan exhibit at the North Berrien Historical Museum will be sure to please. “The Life Atomic: Growing Up in the Shadow of the A-Bomb” will open April 1, 2010 and remain on view through May 15, 2010.

Today American citizens find themselves threatened with the possibility of harm at the hands of foreign terrorists. But fifty years ago, at the height of the Cold War, Americans lived under another kind of threat – global thermonuclear war. However, the atomic bomb inspired more than fear. The bomb also influenced virtually every aspect of American popular culture. Movies, books, home fashions, and even toys reflected a society that came to terms with life in the atomic age.

“The Life Atomic” illustrates the impact of the atomic bomb on everyday life through photographs and objects, in ways both serious and light-hearted. From civil defense warnings to B-movie posters and “atomic” toys, “The Life Atomic” shows the many ways the bomb influenced life in the 1950s and early 1960s.

Exhibit panels focus on the development of the bomb, early atomic testing in the American Southwest, civil defense preparations, fallout shelters, the influence of the bomb on movies and television, “atomic” toys and games, and the impact of the bomb on home décor. Visitors can explore the inside of a typical home fallout shelter as they listen to civil defense public service announcements. They also can watch a variety of civil defense films, including the 1951 classic Duck and Cover featuring the ever-prepared Bert the Turtle.

The Atomic Age brought two nuclear power plants to Southwest Michigan, which power homes and businesses across the region. Local artifacts and information from museums across the region will supplement the exhibit.

The North Berrien Historical Museum is located at 300 Coloma Ave, across from Coloma High School in Coloma, Michigan. For more information visit www.northberrienhistory.org.

“The Life Atomic” was developed and is traveled by the Rogers Historical Museum, Rogers, Arkansas. This project was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas.

T-shirts! T-shirts! T-shirts!

Three colors of Coloma-Watervliet foootball t-shirts are now available at the museum. In addition to green and maroon for Coloma and Watervliet, white t-shirts are for sale for former football players to display their alumni status at the 100th Coloma-Watervliet football game on August 28. Green and Maroon shirts are $10 for S-XL and $15 for 2XL -3XL. White shirts are $15 (size XL - 5XL only) Shirts cane be purchased from the museum office during regular business hours Wednesday - Saturday, 10am - 4pm. For more information call the museum at 269-468-3330.

Then & Now Book for Sale

Then & Now: Coloma, Paw Paw Lake, Waterlivet is now for sale in the North Berrien Historical Museum's gift shop. Soft cover books are $21.95 plus tax. The book is author Rick Rasmussen's fourth book on the Coloma/Watervliet region. The book uses historic images and contemporary photographs to compare the changing landscape of region. In addition, the museum is offering special discounts on Rasmussen's other books throughout the summer. Stop by the museum and get your copy today!

Do you remember the Giudice Ice Cream Parlor in Coloma? This ten cent coin was recently donated to the museum and has stumped the historical society members. Where was this business located and what years did it operate. If you have any information please call the museum at 269-468-3330.

Summer Time Travelers Program

The North Berrien Historical Museum will hold a Summer Time Travelers educational program on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, from 9 am to Noon. Summer Time Travelers invites all kids ages 5 – 12 to take a trip to the past and experience life in years gone by with a hands-on, interactive and fun tour through time.

Music in the past is the theme we will explore on June 24. Using real historic artifacts, activities, demonstrations, and crafts, participants will discover local music history. Join us to:
· View Native American drumming and try immigrant dances
· Pretend you are a famous jazz musician at Paw Paw Lake
· Learn how to play music with household objects
· See historic instruments and music players through time
· Play music bingo and musical chairs with a new twist
· Create your own instrument and candy iPod to take home

Designed for kids ages 5 – 12, Summer Time Travelers is meant to inspire an interest in history and in historical museums. The program is offered at the North Berrien Historical Museum on three dates with unique themes this summer: Music on June 24, Travel on July 15, and Food on August 12. The programs are free of charge but advance registration is required.

For more information contact Tracy Gierada, Director of Education, at (269) 468-3330.

Port-a-Pit Chicken Fundraiser and Family Day at Museum on June 13

The North Berrien Historical Museum will hold its annual Port-a-Pit Chicken Fundraiser on Saturday, June 13 from 12 – 5 pm. Individual half-chickens and pork chops are $5 while a full meal is $8. Tickets are available pre-sale at the museum and or on the day of the barbeque.

The museum’s 4.5 acre grounds will be open for picnicking and admission will be free to the main gallery, Print Shop and Nichols Agricultural Building. Family-friendly activities including a treasure hunt, face painting, and 19th century toys will be offered for visitors of all ages. In addition, the Coloma-Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce will have its 2009 raffle motorcycle on display.

The public is encouraged to enjoy the museum’s activities and then head down to Baker Park to attend Coloma’s 175th birthday celebration. Food and utensils can be taken to-go at any time between 12 and 5 pm.

The North Berrien Historical Museum is open for extended summer hours through October; Wednesday to Saturday 10 am – 4 pm.

Coloma-Watervliet 100th Football Game T-Shirts

Coloma-Watervliet 100th Football Game T-shirts are now available at the North Berrien Historical Museum. T-shirts are $10 and XXL and XXXL are $15. Please note that the museum currently only has a stock of green t-shirts, Watervliet t-shirts are available through the Watervliet High School athletic boosters. The 100th Coloma-Watervliet football game will be played on Friday, August 28 so get your t-shirts now and show off your school pride this summer.

Did you play in a Coloma-Watervliet football game? Share your memories at http://www.pantherstadium.net/100/.

The North Berrien Historical Museum will host its annual Port-a-Pit Chicken Fundraisier and Family Day on Saturday, June 13 from 12-4. Half chickens and pork chops are $5 each. Full meals - meat, two sides, a roll, and dessert - are only $8. Pre-sale tickets are currently available in the museum office. Family fun activities are being planned with more information appearing soon on our blog and website.

The public is invited and there is no admission to the museum.

Twitter

Follow what's happening at the North Berrien Historical Museum on Twitter. http://twitter.com/NBerrienHistory.

Lincoln's Michigan Visit

(Above) North Berrien Historical Museum Director Alex Gates introduces State Senator Tom George.

State Senator Tom George, MD discussed Lincoln's Michigan Visit at the North Berrien Historical Museum on April 21. The museum was filled to capacity with visitors eager to learn more about our 16th President. Lincoln's visit to Kalamazoo on August 27, 1856 was his only visit to Michigan. George gave an overview of the founding of the Michigan Republican Party and the anti-slave sentiment in the state before the Civil War. Lincoln came to Kalamazoo in 1856 to promote the Republican candidate for Governor, John C. Fremont. Through the use of original documents, George pieced together the 1856 rally through how it was remembered by those who were there over 150 years ago. Lincoln's appearance in Kalamazoo is not a footnote in history, but his speech presents his earliest views on slavery and the preservation of the Union.

Bainbridge & Pirates

News of pirates is the talk of the town recently. The USS Bainbridge recently rescued a captain taken captive by Somali Pirates. Yes, Bainbridge - the same as Bainbridge Township, Michigan here in North Berrien County. Captain William Bainbridge, namesake of both the USS Bainbridge and Bainbridge Township would be proud. He himself was famous for fighting piracy during the Barbary War (1801-1805).

Two Speakers to discuss Abraham Lincoln

Two scholars will discuss Abraham Lincoln at the North Berrien Historical Museum as part of the traveling exhibit Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America.

On Tuesday, April 21 at 7pm Senator Tom George will speak on Lincoln and his connections to Michigan. Representing the 20th District (Kalamazoo), Senator George is a past president of the Historical Society of Michigan and has written and produced television documentaries about Lincoln and Colonel Joseph Westnedge.

The following Thursday, April 23, at 7pm Dr. William Anderson will give a presentation titled “Lincoln: A Full Measure of Greatness.” Anderson is the chair of the Michigan Lincoln Bicentennial Committee and retired director of the Michigan Department of History, Arts, and Libraries. He is the author/editor of seven books including They Died for to Make Men Free: History of the 19th Michigan Infantry; We are Sherman’s Men: The Civil War Letters of Henry Orendorff; and The Detroit Tigers: A Pictorial Celebration of the Greatest Players and Moments in the Tigers’ History.

Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America is on display at the North Berrien Historical Museum through May 1. Extended hours for the exhibit are Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-6pm.

The traveling exhibit is being displayed in 40 public libraries and historical societies over the next two years. Coloma is the only Michigan stop for the nation-wide tour. “Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America” was created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of American’s greatest president by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
For more information about the “Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America” events visit www.NorthBerrienHistory.org or call the North Berrien Historical Museum at 269-468-3330.

Spring Break with Lincoln a Huge Success!

Spring Break with Lincoln was a great success at the North Berrien Historical Museum. 122 visitors from throughout Southwest Michigan enjoyed various activities around the museum on April 8 from 1-3pm. Highlights included meeting Abraham Lincoln, a Civil War Soldier, and a woman dressed for mourning. Participants also enjoyed period music and dance, learned to write with quil pens, and twisted twine into rope. Plans are already being made for next year's spring break activity!

Senator Jelinek Opens Lincoln Exhibit

State Senator Ron Jelinek opened Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America at the North Berrien Historical Museum on Friday, April 3, 2009. He spoke of the importance of Lincoln's self-made values in these current economic times. He was then followed by Conor Rockhill, winner of the Michigan State Seventh Grade American History Essay Competition.

The exhibit opening was a great success welcoming over 100 guests from throughout the region. The exhibit remains on view to the public through May 1. Tuesday-Saturday, 10am to 6pm.