Free Hagar Township History program is January 18

The public is invited to attend “History of Hagar Township,” a narrated slide show at the North Berrien Historical Museum on Tuesday, January 18 at 7:00pm. Discover surprising and fascinating stories from the past in Hagar Township at this encore of our “Hagar History Day” slide show from July 2010. The presentation will feature images and artifacts from the museum’s collection with discussion by Tracy Gierada, Director of Education at the North Berrien Historical Museum.

The slide show 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 will also be covered, including the large estate known as “Jacobia” with its wooden water tower on the lakeshore and the community at Lake Michigan Beach. 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.

This event is free of charge. For more information please contact the North Berrien Historical Museum at (269) 468-3330.

New Exhibit Highlights Michigan Women's Military Service During World War Two

A traveling World War Two exhibit is schedule for the spring at the North Berrien Historical Museum. “A Few Good Women: Women in the Military During the Second World War” is a traveling exhibit from the Michigan Women’s Historical Center in Lansing and will be on view at the North Berrien Historical Museum from April 1 – May 27, 2011.

The traveling exhibit highlights the involvement of Michigan women in the military during the Second World War including the Army and Navy Nurses Corps, Coast Guard SPARS, Marine Corps, Navy WAVES, WACs (Women Army Corps) and WASP (Women Air Force Service Pilots). Several Michigan women who have earned a place in the Michigan’s Women’s Hall of Fame for their service in the war are specifically covered.


Michiganders can be proud of female veterans including Nancy Harkness Love (1914-1976), a native of Houghton, Michigan, who helped found and was director of the Women’s Auxiliary Ferry Squadron (WAFS) in 1942. Love hand-selected the country’s top twenty-eight female pilots to serve in the WAFS ferrying planes from factories to bases across the country.


First Lieutenant Aleda Lutz (1915-1944), of Saginaw, Michigan, is one of the most celebrated women war heroes in American history. Lutz volunteered with the 802nd Medical Air Evacuation Squadron where she flew 196 missions evacuating over 3500 men, logging the most flight hours of any nurse. Lutz was killed in 1944 when her plane crashed in Italy, making her the first American military women to die in a combat zone during the war. With the exception of Civil War Era Doctor Mary Walker, Lutz is the highest decorated woman in the history of the United States of America.

The exhibit will also feature Second World War artifacts from the collection of the North Berrien Historical Museum and other local collections. For additional information please contact the museum at 269-468-3330.

11 exciting things at the museum in 2011

1 Annual Dinner this fall –yum!
2 Exciting Cemetery Tours in October
3 Traveling exhibition kiosks on the Western Bloomer Girls
4 Days of Holiday Open House (December 1-4, 2011)
5 Time Travelers programs this summer
6 types of ice cream to choose from at our Cone Barn during Coloma Glad Peach Festival (August 4-7)
7 Applications received so far for our youth intern program, which begins in January
8 Weeks of A Few Good Women: Women in the Military During World War II (April 1 – May 27, 2011)
9 players on every baseball team playing in the Maud Nelson Invitational Baseball Tournament (June 25 & 26, 2010).
10 more convenient parking spots in front of the museum this year.
11 monthly speakers (every third Tuesday at 7pm from January through November)

Free Winter Break 'New Years Fun' kids program

A free educational program for children and families will be held at the North Berrien Historical Museum during the final week of 2010. ‘Winter Break Time Travelers: New Years Fun,’ will be an interactive afternoon at the museum. Have a ball with games and crafts as we learn about New Years traditions from the past! Designed for ages 6-12 and families, all Time Travelers programs feature hands-on activities, a craft to take home, and a welcoming atmosphere. ‘New Years Fun’ will be held on Wednesday, December 29, from 1 – 2:30pm. This event is free but RSVP is requested. To register your child or for more information, call the museum at 269-468-3330. Only in case of severe snow or ice, this program will be rescheduled for December 30, 1 – 2:30pm. Please call the museum to confirm.

Youth Internship now offered at North Berrien Historical Museum

Students currently in grades 7-12 are now invited to apply for a Youth Internship at the North Berrien Historical Museum in Coloma, MI. Youth Interns get the exciting opportunity to work on real projects that support our mission to preserve and promote local history. To obtain a schedule and Application for the 2011 Youth Internship program, please stop by the museum or e-mail nbhs2@sbcglobal.net. Applications must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the museum no later than Friday, January 7, 2011.

The Youth Internship is a commitment to volunteer time every other week from late January – May 2011, in which students will get to know the museum and practice new skills. Participants will be trained by the museum’s professional staff to do activities such as caring for artifacts, doing oral history interviews, and sharing local history with the public. Youth Interns will also learn more about career possibilities related to museums, history and culture, all while gaining an impressive internship experience to list on their resumes and college applications!

For more information about this new program, contact the North Berrien Historical Museum’s Director of Education Tracy Gierada at (269) 468-3330 or nbhs2@sbcglobal.net.

Holiday Open House a Great Success

The 6th Annual North Berrien Holiday Open House was once again a great success with nearly 500 visitors touring the museum. The Christmas trees will remain on view throughout December.


The Upbeats with Pete and Marge Mannino perform during Senior Day at the museum.


The Serenata Strings played for a full house during the Friday evening Holiday Tasting Gala.


Gingerbread House making was once again a hit with nearly 60 houses being built over the weekend.


Santa and Mrs. Claus visited with children (and board presidents) on Saturday afternoon.


Children of all ages made holiday cards in the Carter Gallery.


Ruthie Coburn shows us how to walk the walk during our annual cookie walk.


Even the bomb shelter is decked out for the holidays.