You're Invited! 7th Annual Holiday Open House, Dec 1-4, 2011



Oh Deer! The Cottage of the Four Seasons once again impresses us with their wonderful tree in 2011.



The North Berrien Historical Museum will host its seventh annual Holiday Open House December 1-4

The weekend begins with the Holiday Lights & Music Gala on December 1 from 6-8pm. Visitors can enjoy our holiday trees in their full brilliance at night with luminaries lighting the way between buildings. The evening will feature festive treats and musical performances by Becky and Les Burford, and Carl Payne. Tickets are $12 in advance at the museum office and $15 at the door.

The theme of Friday, December 2 is Senor Day. Senior citizens are invited to tour the museum at a leisurely pace while enjoying complimentary warm drinks and live music by Gordon Krell at 1pm, and The Upbeats with Pete and Marge Mannino at 2pm. Gingerbread House decorating will also be available.

A bear and bull adorn the Edward Jones tree.

Activities for children and families are the focus of Saturday and Sunday, December 3 & 4. Santa’s Workshop features free card and ornament making. Gingerbread house making will be available for a cost of $5 per house. Santa & Mrs. Claus will visit with children on Saturday from 1-3pm. Finally on Sunday, the Holiday Cookie Walk will take place from 12-4pm. For $5, visitors can fill a box with their favorite cookies to take home. Musical performances will take place throughout the day with a Violin Duet at noon, the Coloma choirs at 1pm and the St. Joseph Catholic Church Choir at 3pm.

Randy's BP features a theme of Hometown Heroes.

The museum will feature over 25 decorated Christmas trees and fine holiday décor. Visitors will be able to vote for their favorite tree that will win the People’s Choice Award. Many of the trees are decorated by local businesses and civic organizations. This years tree sponsors include: Edgewater Bank, Chemical Bank, Lakeland Community Hospital Watervliet, North Berrien Food Pantry, Coloma Lioness Club, Honor Credit Union, The Friendly Tavern, Four Seasons Spa & Pool, Jollay Orchards, Paw Paw Lake Rotary Club, Michigan Agri Women, Mattson’s House of Décor, the Cottage of the Four Seasons, Water Street Glassworks, Captain Kirk’s Car Wash, Randy’s BP, Handmade Treasures, Freshwater Church, Edward Jones, Coloma Schools, Faith Lutheran Church, Midwest Family Broadcasting, Krasl Art Center, Got Gold? Jewelers, and Lakeside Books.

It's a winter wonderland at the 7th Annual Holiday Open House.

Throughout the holiday season, the museum will collect “Toys for Tots” donations of new, unwrapped toys, and non-perishable food donations for the North Berrien Food Pantry.

Regular winter hours for the museum are Tuesday through Friday, 10am to 4pm. The museum is free and guided tours are available.

For more information contact Alexander Gates, Director/Curator, at 269-468-3330

2012 Youth Internship applications available now

Students currently in grades 7-12 are invited to apply for a Youth Internship at the North Berrien Historical Museum in Coloma, Michigan. Youth Interns are trained to volunteer for the museum and will contribute to real projects that support our mission to preserve and promote local history. To obtain a schedule and Application for the 2012 Youth Internship program, please stop by the museum or download from Scribd.com.The museum will hold a brief informational meeting on Monday, December 19, 2011, at 6pm for all interested students and family. Applications must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the museum no later than Wednesday, January 11, 2012.

The Youth Internship is a commitment to volunteer time every other week from late January – May 2012, in which students will get to know the museum and practice new skills. Participants will work with the museum’s professional staff to understand more about Coloma-Watervliet area history, preservation of artifacts, and how we serve the public. Youth Interns will also learn more about career possibilities in museums, history and culture.

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