Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Smithsonian Exhibit 'Journey Stories' open free August 6 through September 21



The North Berrien Historical Museum proudly presents the Smithsonian traveling exhibit Journey Stories and special public events from August 6 through September 21, 2013.  Journey Stories explores transportation history, showing how travel and movement have shaped our diverse society.  Using engaging images, audio and artifacts, the exhibit tells the stories of our ancestors’ journeys to America, our freedom to move to new beginnings, and our travel for adventure and fun.  Regardless of our ethnic or racial background, we all have journey stories to tell. The exhibit features a place for visitors to record their own 90-second story to be preserved and shared online by the Smithsonian.  


Admission to Journey Stories is free and open hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm, August 6 through September 21.  In addition to a Grand Opening Reception the evening of August 9, the exhibit will also be open extra hours during public programs at the museum.  Free group and student tours can be scheduled by calling 269-468-3330.  The North Berrien Historical Museum is located at 300 Coloma Avenue on Red Arrow Highway, across from Coloma High School.  For more information and directions, visit www.NorthBerrienHistory.org or call 269-468-3330.  

The public is cordially invited to a Grand Opening on Friday, August 9, with two free events—a historical marker dedication and a reception at the museum.  At 5:30pm, a brief ceremony will dedicate a new state historical marker at the former Coloma Interurban Station.  Built in 1910 to serve passengers and freight on an adjacent electric railway, the site is a gem of local history for its unique role in regional travel, tourism, agriculture.  It was a station until the railway closed in 1928, then was used for 65 years as an electrical substation.  It was added to the State Register of Historic Places in 2013 through the efforts of the North Berrien Historical Society.  Remarks will be presented by U.S. Congressman Fred Upton and the historical marker will be presented to the City of Coloma by Tom Truscott from the Michigan Historical Commission.  The station is a small brick structure painted pale green, located on South Paw Paw Street just north of the Dairy Queen on St. Joseph Street (Red Arrow Highway) in Coloma.  Very limited seating will be provided for the 20 minute ceremony, but the public may bring lawn chairs if desired.  The North Berrien Historical Museum is just a half mile southwest of the Interurban Station on Red Arrow Highway.  From 6:00-7:30pm, the public is invited to celebrate Journey Stories at the museum with refreshments, appetizers, and special guests.  At 6:15pm, a ribbon cutting by the Coloma-Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce is planned.  Brief remarks will be presented by Erik Nordberg, Executive Director of the Michigan Humanities Council.

Journey Stories has been made possible in Berrien County by the Michigan Humanities Council.  Journey Stories is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide.  Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.  For more information about the Journey Stories exhibit and events in Coloma, please contact the North Berrien Historical Museum at (269) 468-3330 or info@NorthBerrienHistory.org.
 

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