Popular Michigan historian and Storyteller comes to Coloma June 29

The North Berrien Historical Museum is honored to host Historian and Storyteller Larry Massie at two free public programs on Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Massie is the author of twenty books and hundreds of articles on Michigan history, and was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Historical Society of Michigan. He has shared his enthusiasm for Michigan’s heritage at hundreds of Storytelling performances, and has proven to be a fun and popular guest who gets citizens excited about the history of their state and community.

The first program on June 29, from 10:00am – 12:00pm, is “Summer Time Travelers: Lumberjacks” and is part of a public program series designed for children ages 6-12. Through hands-on activities and demonstrations, attendees will learn about the history of logging and lumber industries in Michigan in the 1800s. Attendees will receive a historical coloring book by the Michigan Forest Association, create a ‘log marking’ craft, and play a game inspired by our local history of shingle-making on the Paw Paw River. The highlight of this interactive program will be Larry Massie’s dramatic Storytelling as a “rough-hewn lumberjack” from Michigan’s lumber era. Advance registration is required to ensure space; download a form or call the museum at 269-468-3330.

The second program on June 29, from 1:00 – 2:30pm, is “Adventures in Michigan’s Past” and will be a free, all-ages performance held in the Nichols Building at the North Berrien Historical Museum. (No registration is required). In this program, Larry Massie’s dynamic Storytelling will bring to life a range of true historical vignettes featuring Indian chiefs, French voyageurs, black-robed Jesuit priests, intrepid pioneers, salty Great Lakes ship captains, and Underground Railroad conductors who risked their lives guiding slaves to freedom. Visitors are encouraged to tour the museum’s exhibits before or after the program, including the new local history exhibit Women in Baseball: Bloomer Girls of Berrien County & Beyond.