First Annual Museum Ornament Available for Pre-Order

The first-ever North Berrien Historical Museum ornament was unveiled at Volunteer Appreciation Night on Thursday, April 28. The ornament is a new fundraiser, which will be followed by a new piece annually. As the first in a series the museum choose its logo for the initial design. Future designs may include the Watervliet Paper Mill, Paw Paw Lake, and the dunes of Lake Michigan.

The ornaments are produced by ChemArt and are solid brass with gold plating. They measure 3.375" long by 2" tall. Each piece is marked on the back with "Made in the USA" and "First in a Series"

Pre-orders will be accepted through Saturday, June 18th with pickup starting on Tuesday, June 21. The pre-order cost is $15 plus tax. Ornaments will then be for sale at the North Berrien Historical Museum and the Cottage of the Four Seasons in Coloma for $18 plus tax throughout the year.

Click here for an order form.

For more information call the North Berrien Historical Museum at 269-468-3330.

Spring Break A Great Success

Rainy weather couldn't keep away our World War Two soldiers for a day. A record 185 people visited the museum on Wednesday afternoon for Spring Break. New "recruits" took part in free crafts and activities at the North Berrien Historical Museum.


Visitors started by making dog tags to wear throughout the day.


Youth Intern Taylor shows a visitor how to make a hat out of brown paper.


Army caps are a must for any new army recruit. Over 100 were made during the afternoon.


Youth intern Alexis shows a visitor how to make a parachute craft in the Nichols "Flight Training" Building.

Visitors take part in the coloring contest located in the Carter House parlor.

Volunteer Pauline Morris shows off her V for Victory craft in the Carter Gallery.

Women in the Second World War Exhibit Now On View

A Few Good Women: Women in the Military During the Second World War is on view at the North Berrien Historical Museum through May 27, 2011. The exhibit panels are on loan from the Michigan Women's Historical Center in Lansing and the uniforms come from the North Berrien Historical Museum's collection as well as other local institutions.

Six female uniforms are on display: three Army Nurses, two Women's Marine Reserve Corps, one Navy WAVES. Each uniform is unique in look as well as the story of the former owner. Several programs are scheduled during the exhibition. For more info please visit northberrienhistory.org.