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Western Michigan History Events
May 6: Coloma
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Join the North Berrien Historical Museum as they welcome Kames Krastas for a guest lecture. Krastas is the deputy director of the Gerald Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, and will speak on the former president's legacy. For more information call (269) 468-3330.May 8: Grand Rapids
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May 8 at 6:30 p.m. At the Grand Rapids Historical Society's Annual Meting and Banquet, Father Dennis W. Morrow, Pastor at Saints Peter and Paul Church and Chaplain for the Grand Rapids Fire and Police Departments, will speak on the history of the Fire Department in Going to the Blazes: One-Hundred-Sixty Years of the Grand Rapids Fire Department. No dramatic disaster underwrote the organization of fire-fighting in Grand Rapids, but by 1848 citizens began institutionalizing practices, buying equipment, and building the housing for that equipment. Morrow will trace the development of the department over 160 years as it grew into the professional GRFD we know today. Time and location to be announced.May 8: Lake Odessa
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Author Bill Jameson will be at the Lake Odessa community library presenting "Dollar-a-Day Boys! A Tribute to the Civilian Conservation Corps." For more information please call (616) 374-4591.
May 8: Grand Rapids
At 6:30 p.m. the Grand Rapids Historical Society's Annual Meting and Banquet, Father Dennis W. Morrow, Pastor at Saints Peter and Paul Church and Chaplain for the Grand Rapids Fire and Police Departments, will speak on the history of the Fire Department in "Going to the Blazes: One-Hundred-Sixty Years of the Grand Rapids Fire Department." The time and location has yet to be announced. For more information please contact (616) 988-5402.
May 10: Grand Rapids
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Enjoy savory treats in at an afternoon tea in the Voigt House dinning room. Following the tea guest will have the opportunity to go on a guided tour of the historic home. For more information call (616) 456-4600.May 14: St. Joseph
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The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center will is offering a program titled "Michigan City Lights: A Celebration of 150 Years." Featured in Brian Forist's program will be one of Michigan's most famous light keepers Miss Harriet Colfax. Please call 269-983-1191 for more information.May 14: Grand Rapids
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The Ford Museum is hosting President Ford’s former personal photographer who will speak on his new book Extraordinary Circumstances at the opening of the museums new exhibit Extraordinary Circumstances: the Presidency of Gerald R. Ford. For more information call (616) 254-0374.May 15: Ada
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Explore one the most famous shipwrecks of the Great Lakes, the Edmond Fitzgerald with the Ada Historical Society. The speaker will be Rick Mixter, a cinematographer of several films on the wreck. The program begins at 7 pm at the Ada Community Reformed Church. For more information please call (616) 676-9346.May 18: Coloma
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Join the North Berrien Historical Museum as they tour the Morton House in Benton Harbor. The Tour is free for museum members and their guests. For more information call (269) 468-3330.May 18: Berrien County
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On Sunday, May 18, The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center, assisted by Burnett's Traders #567 of Questers International and the Blossomland Doll Club of Berrien County will hold an Afternoon Tea for ladies of all ages. The event will be held from 2:00-4:00 pm. Tea and desserts will be served, provided by Tabor Hill. Young ladies 16 and under will have a chance to win one of many door prizes. One highlight will be an old-fashioned sepia portrait booth, with dress-up clothes and accessories provided. Hats and gloves are recommended and guests may bring a doll for a doll parade, held at 3:00. The cost is $17.00 and $5.00 for children under 10. The event is a fundraiser for The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center. Space is limited-please call 269-983-1191 to reserve your place. The Heritage is located at 601 Main Street, St. Joseph. May 20: Coloma
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Frances Porter Snyder, the director of the History Center at Courthouse Square in Berrien Springs, will speak about the renovation of the records building in Courthouse Square. This lecture is sponsored by the North Berrien Historical Museum. For more information call (269) 468-3330.May 31 & June 1: Hickory Corners
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The Gilmore Car Museum is hosting back to back car shows, the Classic Car Club of America's Grand Classic and Grand Experience Concours, featuring General Motors. Admission each day is 10 dollars and includes museum entry. For more information visit their website at www.GilmoreCarMuseum.org.
June 1: Comstock Park
Celebrate the "Heart and Humor of Our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln" with the Alpine Historical Commission. The program will begin at 2pm and refreshments will be served. For more information please call (616) 677-5404.
June 3: Flat River
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Flat River Historical Society they are sponsoring a 12 part lecture series. This months installment is "the Past in Person." Michael Deren, a musician, storyteller, and songwriter will tell of the lumber boom that took place in the 1870's. For ticket information please call (616) 754-5840.
July 12: Holland
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HORSELESS CARRIAGE SHOW & ICE CREAM SOCIAL, 1-4 PM, at Cappon House. Summer fun for the whole family on the grounds of the historic Cappon House: Vintage cars up close, Hudsonville ice cream, crafts and games for the kids, as well as tours of the Victorian Cappon House. Cost: $ 6, member $3. Cappon & Settlers Houses, for more information call (616) 392-6740 or (888) 200-9123, www.hollandmuseum.org June 5: Coopersville
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The Coopersville Area Historical Society is planning a road trip to visit Ron Vink and his gas station memorabilia. Meet at the museum by 6:40 pm to car pool to the Vink property. For more information call (616) 837- 6978.June 13: Otsego
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Tee off with the Otsego Area Historical Society by playing in their golf outing at Prairiewood Golf Course. Tee off is at 9 am and the registration fee is $50.00. For more information please call Lyneta Nowak at (269) 694-4681 or Nancy Boettcher at (269) 694-4681.June 14: Coloma
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May 20: Coloma
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Frances Porter Snyder, the director of the History Center at Courthouse Square in Berrien Springs, will speak about the renovation of the records building in Courthouse Square. This lecture is sponsored by the North Berrien Historical Museum. For more information call (269) 468-3330.June 29: South Haven
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If you're screaming for some ice cream join the South Haven Historical Society for their 2nd annual Sherman's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social. For more information visit the South Haven Historical Society website at www.historyofsouthhaven.org.
June 29: State Wide
The 22nd Log Cabin Day will be celebrated at nearly l00 different places; in the form of tours, festivals, or log cabin hunting. For a brochure, please phone or fax (269) 925-3836 or see our website at ,www.qtm.net/logcabincrafts. This event is sponsored by the Log Cabin Society of Michigan.
July 1: Flat River
Join the Flat River Historical Society in learning about the beginnings of commercial radio through the program "Early Days of Radio in Michigan." For ticket information please call (616) 754-5840.
July 4: Grand Rapids
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Front Row for the Fireworks Bring the family downtown to our 10th annual fundraising event to enjoy the wonder of the Museum for a few hours while awaiting the night's big attraction, the city's annual patriotic, pyrotechnic tribute. Tickets formembers go on sale May 15 at $10/adults and $5/children. Tickets will be available to the general public at $15/ adults and $7.50/children beginning June 2nd. Add just $10 for a Guaranteed Parking Pass in the Museum Ramp! August 3: South Haven
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The Historical Association of South Haven will host the Douglas Dutchers and the Door Village Prairie Dogs from Indiana for a Vintage Base Ball match. The match will take place at Ratcliffe Field which is located directly behind the Historical Association's home at Hartman School. The event is open to the public and the Casco Band will provide good, old-fashioned entertainment. For more information please call 269-637-6424 or visit our website at info@historyofsouthhaven.org.
Western Michigan History Exhibits
Two Year Event: Benton Harbor
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"World's Largest"- The Benton Harbor Fruit Market and Southwest Michigan's Fruit Belt This two-year exhibit explores the rich fruit growing environment in Southwest Michigan and the significant impact of the Benton Harbor Fruit Market. The display highlights collections of historical artifact, photographs and documents from local farming families and fruit related businesses. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 to 4:00 Admission: Members and children 15 & under, Free Non-Members, $5.00 Location: Second Floor Now open through December: Zeeland
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Lost and Found -Shipwrecks of West Michigan
The Zeeland Historical Society in collaboration with Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates presents a new gallery exhibit at the Dekkerhuis Museum in Zeeland. The exhibit explores the evolution of Great Lakes maritime history through various ships all lost and some found. Descriptive panels, historic photos, drawings and artifacts will paint a picture of the plethora of shipwrecks hidden in the depths of Lake Michigan. Hours: Thursday 10-7 and Saturday 10-2. Admission freeNow Open: Benton Harbor
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"A Scrapbook of Memories: Germans from Russia in Southwestern Michigan" The Heritage Museum's new exhibit tells the story of Germans from Russia who later immigrated to Berrien County. In the 1760s, Czarina Catherine the Great offered incentives for Germans to settle in Russia. Following a loss of personal freedoms in the 1870s, many of these Germans then immigrated to America. Berrien County has the world's largest concentration of Germans from Volhynia, Russia (now located in Ukraine). Coordinated by the Southwest Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, the exhibit features citizenship papers and photos of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island, German prayer books and hymnals, Russian babushkas and amber necklaces, and even a model of a horse-driven threshing machine. These objects bring to life the history of several local families. Visit the exhibit to learn about this dynamic cultural group and how they continue to preserve their heritage. Located on the 2nd floor balcony. Admission is free.April 1 - June 24: Grand Rapids
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I Thee Wed On Tuesday May 11, 1897 at 6:00 pm, Mr. and Mrs. Voigt's youngest daughter, Amanda, was married in the parlor of her parent's new home on College Avenue to Mr. Charles Perkins. The Grand Rapids Herald described the wedding in glowing terms as a "Scene of Grandeur and Splendor and Beauty". Now through June 24 tours of the Voigt Mansion include the exhibit "I Thee Wed" featuring photos from Amanda's wedding and a late 19th century wedding gown, bride's trousseau, wedding gifts the couple might have received and a bride's and a groom's cake. Call 616.456.4600 for more information.Now through June 7: Otsego
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The Otsego Area Historical Museum has on display a collection of vintage motorcycles. Motorcycles and sidecars dating all the way back to 1925 are featured. For museum information please call (269) 692-3775.April 24-Aug 26: Holland
POLYESTER: AMERICAN FASHION OF THE 1960s & 1970s This exhibition of festive-occasion to everyday clothing from the museum's collection spans several decades of American fashion with particular attention paid to the rise in use of synthetic textiles and psychedelic design of the 1960s and 1970s. Reg. admission, members free. The exhibit is sponsored by the HERMAN MILLER FOUNDATION. Holland Museum, 31 W 10th St, Holland 616/392-908 or toll free 888/200-9123 www.hollandmuseum.org Admission: $7, $6 senior, $4 student (to exhibit and all other galleries) Hours: 10-5 M, Wed-Sat; 2-5 Sun. Closed Tue & major holidays..
July 5- September 3: Otsego
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On display at the Otsego Area Historical Museum is a vintage hat and clothing exhibit. For more information please call (269) 692-3775.
Open in May: Muskegon
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Since June 1857, Muskegon residents have been able to purchase a local newspaper. To mark this important anniversary, staff of the Muskegon County Museum created the "150th Anniversary: Writing History Day by Day".
To submit information for Historical Happenings:
Mail information to:
or E-mail: hsm@hsmichigan.org or FAX: (517) 324-4370
