Coming Soon - Glad-Peach Festival 2010

The Coloma Glad-Peach Festival will take place on August 6, 7 & 8, 2010. The North Berrien Historical Society will once again be serving ice cream and hot dogs from our Cone Barn located Baker Park in the center of historic downtown Coloma. The Cone Barn is open throughout the festival. Don't miss our Saturday morning bake sale at the Cone Barn - purchasing fresh baked goods is a delicious way to support the museum.


The Historical Society also sponsors a historic movie afternoon at the Loma Theatre. Our Coloma, Watervliet, and Paw Paw Lake videos are shown in the three theatres at both 2:30 and 3:30pm showtimes. The movies are free and open to the public.


Volunteers for all activities are needed. If you are able to help please call the museum at 269-468-3330.

Thank you to our supporters!

Thank you to all of our museum supporters throughout the community. Please remember to vote on August 3, 2010! A special thanks to the Friends of North Berrien History for purchasing and distributing these yard signs.

Free Hagar Township History Program is July 24

The general public is invited to attend “Hagar History Day” on Saturday, July 24 from 10:00 – 11:30 am. Discover surprising and fascinating stories from the past in Hagar Township. The program will begin at Hagar Township Hall, 3900 Riverside Road in Riverside, with a 40 minute narrated slide show on the history of Hagar Township. Guests are then invited to drive 2.6 miles south for a 30 minute guided walking tour of Lake Shore Cemetery. The presentation will be made by Tracy Gierada, Director of Education at the North Berrien Historical Museum, and will feature images and artifacts from the museum’s collection.

“Hagar History Day” will cover some of the most notable tales from the past in Hagar Township, beginning with European explorers, early American settlers, and the lumber industry. The rise of resorts by the late 1800s will also be discussed, including the famous estate known as “Jacobia” and its wooden water tower on the Lake Michigan shore. Learn the origins of place names and hear about many strange but true stories from the area, such as the eccentric pioneers Kate and Ebenezer Standish and a deadly visit by Chicago gangsters in 1928. The tour of Lake Shore Cemetery, which dates back to 1836, will reveal interesting information about families and individuals buried in its stately, tree-filled grounds.

This event is free of charge. Guests at “Hagar History Day” are welcome to attend only one or both parts of the program: the slide show at Hagar Township Hall and the tour of Lake Shore Cemetery. For more information please contact the North Berrien Historical Museum at (269) 468-3330.

Millage up for renewal August 3rd

Four years ago the historical society turned to the community seeking a millage to support the on-going maintenance and operation of the museum. Now, four years later we are seeking a renewal of this .25 millage in Hagar, Coloma, Watervliet and Bainbridge Townships, as well as the Cities of Coloma and Watervliet.

In 2009 the millage collected was nearly $140,000. The museum is open year-round, employs 2.5 full time employees, and serves over 4,600 visitors annually. New furnaces, roof, lighting, and case renovations are just a few of the improvements that have been made possible by the millage. New exhibits have been well received including two very successful traveling exhibits; Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made in America and The Life Atomic: Growing Up in the Shadow of the A-Bomb. Families and children are an important target audience we have reached through events including Spring Break, Summer Time Travelers, and Holiday Open House.

Much is planned for the next four years in addition to maintaining high quality exhibits and programs. Upkeep of the site continues to be a major priority. The board is busy planning a new parking lot that will greatly increase the number of spaces and increase accessibility of the museum.

Time Travelers - Resorts

On July 14, 2010 over 60 children and parents participated in our resort themed Summer Time Travelers Program.


Director of Education, Tracy Gierada, gave an introduction on the history of the Paw Paw Lake resort period. Boats, trains, and automobiles were all important modes of transportation for vacationers coming from Chicago. Examples of historic bathing suits were on display from the collection.


Artifacts and photographs from the collection were displayed and passed around.


Taking advantage of the sunny weather, participants played a round of 'musical squares' to Duke Ellington music. Ellington was one of many famous musicians who played at Paw Paw Lake's many dance halls.


All set to go fishing! A craft activity taught these kids about the importance of local fishing - and having your picture taken while at the lake.

Works by Evelyn Krieger now on display

A new exhibit at the North Berrien Historical Museum features paintings by local artist Evelyn Krieger.


Lifelong Coloma resident Evelyn Krieger (1905-1994) produced hundreds of artistic works throughout her lifetime in various mediums including watercolors, pastels, and oil paint. Twenty-five works are on loan to the museum from her grandson, Jerry Jollay. Of particular historical interest is a series of Coloma buildings painted in 1971. Krieger painted local structures such as the Dairy Queen and the State Bank of Coloma as they appeared nearly forty years ago.


A number of other works were painted at her farm located on the corner of Hill and Friday Roads in Bainbridge Township.



This temporary exhibit will be on display through September. The North Berrien Historical Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 to 4. For more information call 269-468-3330 or visit www.northberrienhistory.org.

Watervliet Fourth of July Parade

The North Berrien Historical Society won "Best Antique Vehicle" in the Watervliet Fouth of July Parade. Riding in the 1924 Dodge Truck were Scott Young, Alex Gates, Cindy Young, Tracy Gierada and James Young.


A plane flying over the parade route left trails of smoke in the sky as participants lined up on M-140.


A large crowd gathered to watch the parade in downtown Watervliet. A special thank you to the Coloma-Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce for organizing the parade and celebration.