summer 2010 newsletter - north berrien historical society
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8/8/2019 Summer 2010 Newsletter - North Berrien Historical Society
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Hagar Township officials recently donated to
the museum a book of Justice of the Peace Notes,
now one of the oldest manuscripts in our collection.Entries made between 1846 and 1905 document legal
disputes, marriages, and death inquisitions. This re-
cord provides a rare glimpse in to the lives and rela-
tionships of early residents of Hagar Township.
The majority of records are suits filed against
individuals for debt payment, theft, trespassing or as-
sault. Several entries during the Civil War relate to
enlisted men seeking discharge or furlough for medi-
cal reasons, including a doctor’s letter from “Brunson
Harbor,” as Benton Harbor was then known.
In a few entries the book describes the Coroner's Inquest
for unidentified bodies found on
the shores of Lake Michigan. In
one case from September 1878,
the deceased was determined to
be a victim of the Chicago-based
Schooner Meary, which capsized
on the lake ten days before the body was found.
Marriage records are especially interesting,
providing evidence of the young ages at which many
girls were married in frontier communities. One en-
try tells of the July 24, 1863 wedding of Vincent G.
Brant, age 21, of Hagar and Mary Ann McMarshall,
age 13, of Pipestone Township. The Justice of the
Peace does note in this case, unlike those of other
teenage brides, that the couple was married with the
consent of Mrs. Eliza I. Hayes, the bride’s mother.
Records shine light on early Hagar Township
NORTH BERRIEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
NEWSLETTER
Vol. II, No. 2 Hagar · Bainbridge · Coloma · Watervliet Summer 2010
300 Coloma Ave./ P.O. Box 207, Coloma, Michigan 49038 www.NorthBerrienHistory.org
A vibrant and well-preserved heritage is an
irreplaceable source of community pride and educa-
tional opportunity for the residents of North Berrien.
In 2006 area voters agreed to support the Historical
Society with a millage, allowing the museum to sub-
stantially expand its work. Professional staffing, highquality traveling exhibits, improved collections stor-
age and record-keeping, site safety and accessibility
upgrades, and much more have been possible with this
stable funding. On August 3, 2010, we ask for your
“yes” vote in favor of a renewal of our millage, and
we ask you to please encourage others to do the same.
Please Vote Yes on August 3to Renew our Millage - Here’s Why
Continued on page 7
In this entry Justice of the Peace Alexis D. Finch recorded the
marriage of James Bundy of South Haven and Louisa Harris of Hagar Township, who were wed on July 4, 1852.
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North Berrien Historical SocietyBoard of Directors
Scott Young PresidentBennet Leedy 1st Vice President
Kandyce Hays 2nd Vice PresidentCindy Young SecretaryShirley Boone TreasurerRay Mays Assistant TreasurerMarc Hettig DirectorKarin Miller DirectorPauline Morris DirectorSherry Polashak DirectorTom Scheid DirectorSally Williams Director
Staff
Alexander Gates Director / CuratorTracy Gierada Director of EducationGwen Elsner Office Manager
300 Coloma Ave.
P.O. Box 207
Coloma, MI 49038
www.NorthBerrienHistory.org
The mission of the North Berrien HistoricalSociety is to preserve and distribute informationregarding the history of North Berrien County.
We wish to promote, encourage learning,and disseminate knowledge of the area’s
cultural and architectural legacy.
Page 2
From the Director’s Desk By Alexander Gates
Another successful traveling exhibit has come
to completion with over 1,000 visitors viewing The
Life Atomic and taking part in public programs. I’d
like to offer a special thank you to our communitypartners; the Coloma-Watervliet Area Chamber of
Commerce for their assistance with the sock hop, and
the Coloma Public Library for their hosting of the
book discussion. We also greatly appreciate a $1,000
grant from Entergy Corporation, which owns the Pali-
sades Nuclear Plant, to help make our exhibit and pro-
grams possible. Thank you to the many volunteers
who made these activities a success.
A busy summer is planned for 2010, with
events both at the museum and out in the community.The Tri-City Heritage Tour will highlight historic sites
throughout the entire region. Several new temporary
exhibits will be on display at the museum including
the contents of the 1980 Coloma Cub Scout Pack 664
time capsule, and paintings of local scenes by Evelyn
Carter Krieger. In addition to an informal “heirloom
show and tell” program, the museum will also host
experts such as Dr. Michael Nassaney from WMU.
For kids and families, Summer Time Travelers will
again offer free educational activities throughout thesummer. Again I thank our volunteers for all of their
assistance – especially at the Glad-Peach Festival
Cone Barn, our largest annual fundraiser.
Since you welcomed me to the community
three years ago I have had to the pleasure of watching
the organization grow. Just in the last two years over
50 new members have joined and hundreds more are
staying in touch with our Newsletter and online pres-
ence. Nearly 5,000 people are served by the museum
each year, most completely free of charge. Remem-ber; vote YES on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 as we
seek the renewal of our millage in the four townships
and two cities of North Berrien. The historical society
performs many crucial duties that preserve and pro-
mote our cultural heritage, but we could not operate
without the support of the entire community. Please
help us secure millage funding for another four years
as we work to further enhance your historical museum
in to one of the best in Southwest Michigan.
Curator’s Blog:
NorthBerrienHistory.blogspot.com
Twitter: Twitter.com/NBerrienHistory
Connect with NBHS Online!
Become a fan on Facebook
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Tuesday, June 15,
7pm
Heirloom Show & Tell. Bring along a special photograph, antique, or other historickeepsake and share its story with others. Free.
Saturday - Sunday,
June 26 - 27 Free. See pages 4-5 for details.
Friday, July 9, 12-1pmLunch with the Curator. Bring a brown bag lunch and join us to view and discusAsparagus! Stalking the American Life (2008, 53min). This documentary filmcovers the challenges facing the asparagus industry in Oceana County, MI. Free.
Tuesday, July 20,
7pm
Archaeological Evidence of 18th
c. Daily Life at Fort St. Joseph, presentation byMichael Nassaney, Ph.D., Prof. of Anthropology, Western Michigan University/ Principal Investigator, Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project. Learn about recentartifact discoveries and what they reveal about daily life at the Fort. Free.
Saturday, July 24,
10 - 11:30am
Hagar History Day. Discover surprising and fascinating storiesfrom the past in Hagar Township. Meet in Riverside for a slideshow, then drive to Lake Shore Cemetery for a tour. Free.
Tuesday, July 27,
7pm
Tour of Mary’s City of David. Take an exclusive guided tour of this BentonHarbor historic site. Advance tickets are $10 for NBHS Members and $15 for non-members, or $15 at the door for all. Read more on page 7!
Tuesday, August 3
Election Day. Pleasevote yes to renew the millage for the North Berrien Historical
Society in Hagar, Bainbridge, Coloma, and Watervliet Townships, and in the citiesof Coloma and Watervliet.
Tuesday, August 17,
7pm
Preserving the Old Rugged Cross Church, presentation by Barb Cook,Board of Directors, Old Rugged Cross Foundation. A world-famoushymn debuted at this 1862 barn and church in Pokagon— learn about thebuilding and the years of ongoing work to save and restore it. Free.
Page 3
Mark your Calendars!
Saturday, August 7, 2:30 and 3:30pm
Coloma Glad-Peach Festival. Head to the Loma
Theater to view one of our local his-
tory videos on Coloma, Watervliet, or
Paw Paw Lake. Grab some hot dogs
and ice cream from our Cone Barn
while you are downtown!
Meet us Downtown!Saturday, July 3, 2pm
Watervliet 4th of July Celebration. Join usat Watervliet City Hall to view our originalvideo A Visual History of Watervliet .
Catch us on the AirwavesTune to hear us get the word out
about the Tri-City Heritage Tour onthese popular radio shows!
Monday, June 21, 9:30-10:30amWGTO - FM 101 / AM 910
Talk of the Town with Bobbie Jo Hartline
Thursday, June 24, 9-9:30amWSJM - FM 94.9 / AM 1400
In the Spotlight Live with Brenda Layne
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Architecture and local history will be the focus
of the first ever Tri-City Heritage Tour on June 26-27,
2010. More than 20 historic properties in Hagar,
Bainbridge, Coloma, Watervliet, and Hartford will be
open free to the public and interpreted by volunteers
throughout the weekend. The official Tour Guide
with maps and site information will be published as a
four-page insert in the Tri-City Record on June 17.
Free Tour Guides will also be available at the North
Berrien Historical Museum, the Van Buren County
Historical Museum, and the Tri-City Record Office.
The Tri-City Heritage Tour is designed to cre-
ate access, awareness, and excitement about local
heritage. With help from the official Tour Guide, the
tour is self-directed and participants may visit as
many or as few sites as they wish. This is a wonder-
ful opportunity for families and friends to spend time
together exploring the community and discovering
how much of our rich local heritage is still preserved
in our historic buildings, landscapes, and museums.
The official Tri-City Heritage Tour website at
www.TriCityHeritageTour.wordpress.com featuresinteractive maps, photos, and descriptions of all 2010
Heritage Sites. In addition, visitors may post ques-
tions or comments on any page by simply entering a
name and valid e-mail address. The website will be
maintained after the tour as a resource on local his-
toric properties and a place for community discussion
about history and historic preservation.
The selection of 2010 Heritage Sites was over-
seen by an Advisory Team including NBHS staff,
Board Member Marc Hettig, Annette Maze from the
North Shore Dairy, Pam Hutchins-Dorstewitz from
the Van Buren County Historical Museum, and Rick
Rasmussen. Sites were given priority that could pro-
vide volunteers and represent diverse architectural
styles. Some tour highlights include the Davidson
Chapel in Coloma, the earliest funeral home in the
region, and the Coloma Interurban Station, where his-
toric materials will be on display. Pioneer Cemetery
Page 4
Official Tour Guide will appear in June 17 Tri-City Record
Left to Right: Coloma United Church of Christ, Millburg Red & White Feed Store, Van Buren County Historical Museum in Hart-ford Township, St. Paul’s UCC Cemetery in Bainbridge Township, Curtis Community Center/ Curtis School in Hagar Township
Left to Right: Mantle in Hartford Library/ Olds-Merriman House, Duffield’s Cottages on Little Paw Paw Lake, Bainbridge Town-
ship Hall/ Bainbridge Center School, Interior of Coloma Interurban Station, Watervliet City Hall/ Fire Station
Continued on next page
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Page 5
For the second year in a row, Time Travelers
kids programs will be offered in June, July and August
2010 at the North Berrien Historical Museum. Sum-
mer Time Travelers are free, interactive educational
programs with two main goals: Learning and Fun!Designed for ages 6-12 and families, Time
Travelers is meant to inspire an interest in history and
in historical museums. All Time Travelers programs
feature real museum artifacts, hands-on activities and
demonstrations, a craft to take home, and a fun and
welcoming atmosphere.
Each day brings to life a
unique and exciting
theme, where we will ex-
plore first-hand how the
past differed from our
lives today.
Time Travelers programs are free, but advance
registration is required. To register a child for one or
more programs, please call the museum at (269) 468-
3330 or e-mail [email protected].
June 16 - Gold Rush: Experience the gold strikein Coloma, California and learn about pioneer lifein the mid 1800s.
June 30 - Flight: See cool flight experiments andlearn about early airplanes and airports in South-west Michigan.
July 14 - Resorts: Pretend to ride trains andsteamships to the famous Paw Paw Lake resorts
and dance halls. July 28 - Machines: From laundry to newspapers,
learn how machines big and small have made lifeeasier for people in history.
August 11 - Fruit: Discover the work and playthat has always made the “Fruit Belt” a specialplace to live!
Time Travelers offers historical summer fun for kids and families
July 2009 Time Travelers
All sessions are on Wednesdays
from 10am to Noon at the
North Berrien Historical Museum.
Left to Right: Davidson Chapel, Barnyard at North Shore Dairy Centennial Farm in Coloma Township, Millburg Christian Church,
North Berrien Historical Museum, Michigan Historical Marker at Van Buren County Historical Museum.
in Hartford and St. Paul’s Cemetery in BainbridgeTownship will feature detailed maps for self-touring.
The North Berrien Historical Museum and the Van
Buren County Historical Museum will both offer spe-
cial family-friendly activities. Two former rural
schools will be opened, now the homes of the Curtis
Community Center in Hagar Township and the Bain-
bridge Township Hall, which is complete with its
school bell. Duffield’s Cottages on Little Paw Paw
Lake and the Paw Paw Lake Yacht Club are examples
of the resort heritage of the area, while our agricultural
traditions come alive at sites like the North Shore
Dairy Centennial Farm, the SW Michigan Basket,Crate & Veneer Machinery Museum in Riverside, and
the Red & White Feed Mill & Store in Millburg.
The inaugural Tri-City Heritage Tour will seek
feedback from visitors at tour sites and online with the
hopes of making the Tour an annual event to celebrate
the history of the Tri-City region. The Tri-City Heri-
tage Tour is sponsored in part by a grant from the Ber-
rien Community Foundation and is coordinated by the
North Berrien Historical Society and the Van Buren
County Historical Society.
Continued from page 4
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Page 6
The spring of 2010 featured intriguing topicsin local history and culture at the North Berrien His-torical Museum. We are excited to continue pursuingnew topics, helping to connect local stories and arti-facts to larger issues in regional and national history.
On March 16 we welcomed the Winemakers
of North Berrien— Joe Herman of Karma VistaVineyards and Tony Peterson of Contessa Wine Cel-lars. Each described their beginnings and currentwork as pioneer winemakers in Coloma, contributingto a recent statewide boom in the wine industry.
The traveling exhibit The Life Atomic: Grow-
ing Up in the Shadow of the A-Bomb was kicked off with a festive, food-filled Opening Reception. Thefollowing week many families attended 1950s Spring
Break, a free activity day at the museum. Visitors
tried out ‘50s games, toys, and hula hoops, learnedabout the Cold War arms race from Dr. Seuss’ Butter
Battle Book, played an inflation guessing game andmore! Families also enjoyed music and dance at thefree Community Sock Hop, sponsored by the Co-loma–Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce in con-junction with The Life Atomic exhibit. Bill Shalk from the Cook Nuclear Plant spokeon April 20 about the history of nuclear power in thisregion including photos of the Cook Plant under con-
struction in the 1960s. On May 4 we hosted a lectureby Dr. Erika Doss from Notre Dame. Dr. Doss con-nected nuclear anxiety in the 1950s to other tensionsover race and gender roles in American culture, draw-ing examples from art and popular culture to support
her argument. At the Co-
loma Library on May 13, ourMartian Chronicles Book
Discussion saw lively con-versation about the AtomicAge. The 4th, 7th and 10thgrades from Coloma Schoolsalso visited the exhibit fortour programs. Older stu-dents experienced small dis-cussion groups in our hands-
on replica fallout shelter, viewed Civil Defense films,
and practiced team problem-solving. The 4th gradetours focused as usual on local history, but the stu-dents enjoyed viewingDuck and Cover , a CivilDefense film made forschool children in 1951.
In late April themuseum made the localnews for hosting a gather-ing of Coloma CubScouts and families as
they opened a 30 year old time capsule. Some of itscontents will be displayed in a temporary exhibit atthe museum this summer.
Our May speaker, Bruce Johnson from the La-Porte County Historical Society, brought us the storyof the Infamous Belle Gunness. Gunness was dis-covered as one of the most prolific female serial kill-ers in U.S. history after her LaPorte farmhouse myste-riously burned in 1908. In an eerie story rampantwith years of tall tales, Johnson’s research has helpedto distinguish the facts from mere rumors in the case.
Spring programs explored the Atomic Age and more
Left: Students are introduced
to The Life Atomic
At 1950s Spring Break, kids and families create
artwork inspired by the styles of famous ’50s artists
Right: Dr. Seuss Story Time
at 1950s Spring Break
From April 1 - May 15, 2010, The Life Atomic exhibit featured Civil Defense films,
Cold War radio spots, Atomic Age artifacts, and a hands-on replica family fallout shelter.
Cub Scouts time capsuleceremony begins on April 28
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Page 7
Individual ($15)
I would like to
volunteer for NBHS
Additional tax-deductible contribution: $________
Name
Address
City, State, ZIP
Phone
New Member
Returning Member
Total Amount Enclosed: $________
Send your completed form along with your check to:
North Berrien Historical SocietyP.O. Box 207, Coloma, MI 49038
Family ($50)
Student ($8)
Senior ($10)
North Berrien Historical SocietyMembership Form
Thank you for your support!
Please check desired annual membership level.
NBHS Exclusive Tour: Mary’sCity of David on July 27
North Berrien Historical Society members and
friends are invited for a guided walking tour of Mary’s
City of David on Tuesday, July 27 at 7pm. Tickets are
available pre-sale at the North Berrien Historical Mu-seum at a cost of $10 for members and $15 for non-
members. Tickets at the door will cost $15 per person.
Mary’s City of David was recently added to
the National Register of Historic Places as an “historic
district”. The tour will include Bethany House, which
has never before been open to the public, as well as
the greenhouses, print shop, museum, and gift shop.
Visitors can also walk down to the famous Eastman
Springs and enjoy refreshments served from the his-
toric ice cream stand on the property. Call the mu-
seum at 468-3330 for more information on the tour.
Continuing Members
Sandy Kraemer - Coloma Nancy Weir - Coloma
Douglas Geisler - Bridgman Sue Dahlquist - ColomaKevin McLemore - Coloma Dolores Totzke - ColomDebbie Friday - Coloma Cindy Yo
Deanna Heminger - ColomaScott Young - Benton Harbor
Robert & Karin Miller - St. JosephWilliam & Sue Moser - Coloma
Robert & Elaine Gierada Family - Saline, MI
Donations
Anita HirshKarin Miller
Douglas Geisler
New Members
Anita Hirsh - ColomaJerry Puckett - St. JosephTracy Gierada - St. Joseph
Please Vote Yes on August 3
With a renewal of our millage funding, the
NBHS will begin to implement a long-term strategic
plan for upgrading our exhibitions, facilities, and
grounds. We will also continue to develop our com-
munity services such as free exhibits and lectures,
public programs, school tours, and research assis-tance. In this millage campaign our members and
friends are our greatest advocates— please consider
writing a letter to the editor to help remind others
about the value of our work. If you would agree to
place a sign in your yard to support NBHS prior to
the election, please call the museum at 468-3330.
Continued from page 1
2006 2009
Museum open to public76 days per year
Museum open to public268 days per year
Open May-October Open Year-round
Volunteer operated 2.5 Full Time Employees
Approx. 1,500 visitors 4,600 visitors
Budget of under $20K Budget of $150K
978 uniquewebsite visitors
2,465 uniquewebsite visitors
How the Millage has impacted NBHS
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Hagar · Bainbridge · Coloma · Watervliet www.NorthBerrienHistory.or
P.O. Box 207, Coloma, MI 49038
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