New Museum Brochure

The North Berrien Historical Museum has published a new museum brochure. Copies are being delivered to Michigan Rest Areas, the Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council, local businesses, and other area attractions. The brochure was designed by Robin Maxon at Maxon Graphixs in St. Joseph.

Halloween Cemetery Tours will feature fascinating history and fun trivia

The North Berrien Historical Society invites the public to attend our Halloween Cemetery Tours on Saturday, October 23. On a stroll of beautiful, historic Coloma or Watervliet Cemetery, hear captivating stories about people from the past and answer fun Halloween trivia questions.


Who was the founder of Coloma? Who used to own the farm where Watervliet High School now sits? Who were our most well-known residents a century ago? These are just a few of the stories that will be told at the graves in the Coloma and Watervliet Cemeteries. The tours will also feature historic pictures to tell spooky tales of ghosts, criminals, UFOs, and other mysterious happenings from North Berrien history.

Coloma Cemetery Tour begins at 1:00pm and Watervliet Cemetery Tour begins at 3:00pm. Both tours are free of charge. 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.

Parking Lot Expansion Planned

Beginning October 2010 the North Berrien Historical Museum will be undergoing an extensive parking lot renovation project.



The project will consist of several stages. First trees will be removed from the corner of Coloma Ave. and Red Arrow Highway. This space will allow for additional parking spots for the museum and for spaces nearer to the Carter House. The old parking lot will be removed including the flag pole, front ramp on the museum, and the signage. The entire site will then be graded evenly to remove drop offs and drainage problems.



After the old parking lot is removed the museum and Carter House septic tanks will be removed and pipes will be laid to connect the buildings to the Coloma City sewer. Electric conduit will also be run under the parking lot for future additions of a lighted sign and parking lot lighting.



After the ground work is completed the new parking lot will be paved with an entrance on Coloma Ave. and another on Red Arrow Highway. Visitors will enjoy expanded parking, additional handicapped parking spots, and a more accessible museum entry.


The final stage of the project will include new landscaping in front of the museum and new signage for the site complex.

Speaker to discuss shipwreck of the Lady Elgin, October 17

Valerie van Heest will discuss the shipwreck of the Lady Elgin at the North Berrien Historical Museum on Tuesday, October 19 at 7pm.

On September 8, 1860 the Lady Elgin went down in Lake Michigan resulting in the deaths of more than 300 people. Now 150 years after the worst disaster on the open waters of Lake Michigan, Valerie Van Heest will revisit the dark stormy night when 400 excursionists on board the Lady Elgin were awakened in the middle of the night by the sound of a terrible crash.


Award winning author, shipwreck explorer and member of the Women Divers Hall of fame, Valerie has documented Great Lakes shipwrecks for over twenty years and her efforts led to an award from the Historical Society of Michigan for excellence in preserving and promoting State and local history.

This event is free and open to the public. The museum is open winters hours Tuesday through Friday 10-4. For more information contact Alexander Gates, Director/Curator, at 269-468-3330