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Western Michigan History Events
July 4: Grand Rapids
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The Public Museum's eleventh annual July 4th fundraiser offers a great evening's worth of entertainment for the ticket price. Front Row for the Fireworks begins at 7 pm on July 4th at the Museum on the corner of Front and Pearl Streets downtown, and runs through the fireworks finale around 11 pm. Inside the Museum guests can while away the time before dusk with carousel rides, planetarium shows and organ concerts. As darkness falls, visitors can stay inside in air-conditioned comfort or head outside to the carousel walkway or the enclosed lawn seating area. Either option provides an amazing view of the fireworks as they explode over the Grand River. Member ticket sales ($10/adults and $5/children) began June 1st. Ticket sales open to the general public ($15/adults and $7.50/children) June 8th. Guaranteed Museum ramp parking passes are available in conjunction with ticket purchases for $10. Proceeds from this event support programs of the Public Museum. For tickets, call 616.456.3977, stop by the Museum front desk or visit the website.
- July 26: Union City
The Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council will host a Preservation Workshop Tuesday July 7 from 1 to 4 pm at the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center in St. Joseph. The workshop will explain the different types of historic designations and their benefits, the preservation tax credits available to business and residential property owners, the standards and criteria for preservation work in historic districts and the environmental review process required for federally funded projects. The program will also provide an overview of the West Michigan Pike Heritage Route project. The program is free and open to the public. Reservations are required and can be made by calling April at the SMTC (269) 925-6301 no later than Wednesday, July 1.
July 8, 15, 22 and 29: Dowagiac
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The Museum at Southwestern Michigan College will host a Brown Bag Lunch on July 8, 15, 22 and 29 at Noon in the Upton Room. A presentation entitled "American Experience: Abraham and Mary Lincoln, A House Divided" will be the focus of the luncheon. As always, admission is free. For more information contact the Museum at (269) 782-1374 or visit their website.
- July 8: Saugatuck
Join the Saugatuck Yacht Club on Wednesday, July 8 at 7 pm, to learn about the history of the Saugatuck Yacht Club as they celebrate their 75th anniversary of teaching young and old to sail small boats. John Shack has recruited a group of "Old Salts" to spin some tales about the Club.
July 12: Hickory Corners
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July 12 will mark the nineteenth "British Invasion" to strike the Gilmore Car Museum in the same number of years. The museum will once again serve as the site for the Mad Dogs & Englishmen's British Auto Faire which is open to the public from 9 am to 5 pm. This annual car show presents the largest gathering of British built automobiles and motorcycles of all eras. Bring the family and enjoy the children's games, vote for your favorite car and hop a ride the museum's authentic 1935 London taxi. Other events of the day include an afternoon tea and a swap meet for that hard to find part. Food concessions and picnic areas are available throughout the grounds. Special Museum admission for the day is $8.00 with those under 11 admitted FREE and includes both the British Auto Faire and all Museum the exhibit buildings. To learn more about the Gilmore Car Museum visit their website or call the museum at (269) 671-5089. July 14: South Haven
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The Historical Association of South Haven will present one of its popular slide programs gleaned from the vast Appleyard photographic collection, narrated by Lee Niffenegger. The program will take place at Hartman School located at 355 Hubbard St. in South Haven and is open to the public. For more information, please call (269)637-6424. July 21: Coloma
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Learn about the fascinating history of shipwrecks off of North Berrien's Lake Michigan Coast with Valerie Van Heest, author of Shipwrecked! Valerie will discuss the wreck of the Hennepin located off the coast of South Haven. The event starts at 7pm and is open to the public. For more information, please contact the museum at (269) 468-3330.
July 21: Vicksburg
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The Vicksburg Historical Society presents a history of the Vicksburg Ambulance Service. This panel will be led by Tracy McMillan, the current ambulance service director, and will honor Anna Brown, Bob Eberstein, Jim Youngs, and others who were instrumental in starting the ambulance service and keeping it going. The meeting will be held at the ambulance service training room, with Garrard Macleod as the moderator. For more information, visit their website. August 5, 12, 19 and 26: Dowagiac
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The Museum at Southwestern Michigan College will host a Brown Bag Lunch on August 5, 12, 19 and 26 at Noon in the Upton Room. A presentation entitled "American Experience: The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln" will be the focus of the luncheon. As always, admission is free. For more information contact the Museum at (269) 782-1374 or visit their website.
August 6 and 7: Coopersville
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Please consider donating items for the Coopersville Historical Society's annual fundraiser garage sale in August. The sale helps raise funds for the operation and projects of the Historical Society Museum. The sale will take place on Thursday and Friday of Summerfest - August 6 and 7 - at the home of Bill and Shirley Cunninhgam, 65 Mill Street. Household, yard, garage, hobby, etc. items are welcome additions. Help is also needed before and during the sale. For more information, contact the Coopersville Historical Society at (616) 997-7240. August 7 and 8: Edwardsburg
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Two groups in Edwardsburg are preparing for the US 12 Yard Sale to take place on August 7,8 and 9. The Edwardsburg Uptown Improvement Association will be holding a Pig Out with pork sandwiches and soft drinks available on Saturday, August 8 at the corner of US 12 and Lake Street from 11 to 2 PM. A Yard Sale will also be held at that same location starting 9 AM. Donations for the sale are being accepted and may be dropped off at Robin's Nest across the street or at Carmi Design on Cass Street. The Edwardsburg Area Historical Museum will held their Yard Sale on Friday and Saturday, August 7 and 8 at the Museum from 9 to 3 PM. Donations are being accepted for that sale and may be left at the Museum. Along with their sale, the Museum is offering space for anyone who may want to conduct their own sale. Space may be rented for $10.00 and chairs and water will be provided. Contact the Museum to rent your own space for the sale. August 11: Vicksburg
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Join the Vicksburg Historical Society to learn about the history of Homer Stryker, founder of the Stryker Corporation in Kalamazoo. Dave Hager and Dr. Brenneman who wrote the book about Dr. Stryker will be the featured speakers. The meeting will be on the grounds of the Stryker home in Wakeshma Township with the current owners of the property involved and will include a tour of the homestead. August 12: Berrien Springs
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BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! The Historical Association of South Haven will again host Robert Myers, curator of the History Center at Courthouse Square in Berrien Springs, who will present "Gangsters of Berrien County" an illustrated program that explores the history of the Gangster Era and identifies some of the local sites that still exist today. The presentation is free and will begin at 7:00 p.m. Contact the Historical Association of South at (269) 637-6424 or visit their website. August 18: South Haven
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The Historical Association of South Haven will present "The Last Picture Show (of the Summer)," a slide program of historic South Haven, narrated by Lee Niffenegger. The presentation will take place at Hartman School located at 355 Hubbard St. in South Haven and is open to the public. For more information, please call (269)637-6424. September 19: Vicksburg
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Join the Vicksburg Historical Society for a Polish evening at the Historic Village with a salute to our Polish heritage in Vicksburg and Lee Paper in particular. The many Polish families in the area are invited to share their memories of growing up as second and third generation offspring. A transcription of oral history from a chat with Mary Rapacz Wesoloski and Mary Grubka Makowski will be presented as part of their early days working in the rag room at the paper mill. September 26: South Haven
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The Historical Association of South Haven will host a genealogical workshop with historian Toni Benson entitled "Getting the Most Out of Ancestry.com and Heritage Quest," which will explore the most efficient use of these two internet sites. Open to the public. Limited seating; sign-up is suggested. Call (269) 637-6424 or visit their website for further information. October 3 and 4: Grand Rapids
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The annual Heritage Hill Weekend Tour of Homes welcomes you inside eight private historic homes and four public buildings. Heritage Hill is one of the largest urban historic districts recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Advance tickets are $12 if purchased prior to September 1. From September 1 to October 2, tickets are $15. Tickets on the weekend of the Tour are $18. To obtain tickets, write to the Heritage Hill Association, 126 College SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or visit their website. November 13 and 14: Grand Rapids
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The 34th annual Great Lakes History Conference, sponsored by Grand Valley State University's History Department, will be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan on November 13 & 14, 2009. The theme is "Indigenous Peoples of the Globe: Colonization and Adaptation." Along with exchanging ideas and research, we also desire panels on innovative ways of teaching this year's topic to students at every level. Address all inquiries and abstracts to: Dr. Matthew Daley daleym@gvsu.edu
Western Michigan History Exhibits
March 2009-March 2011: St. Joseph
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On March 27, 2009, The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center will open a new exhibit, Working Waterfronts: Planning and Preserving the Maritime Traditions of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. The exhibit will be open for two years, through March 2011. Not only will visitors to the exhibit enjoy a rich blend of images, artifacts and historical information, but the exhibit will also focus on the need to create awareness and dialogue regarding which historic structures and landscapes should be preserved and how to plan for future uses and preservation of the waterfront. Engaging feedback stations will give visitors the chance to record their thoughts on related issues. The exhibit will also serve as a model for other Great Lakes communities to address their own issues of maritime preservation and waterfront development. For more information, please call (269) 983-1191.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 Summer 2009: Saugatuck
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The memories of summer fun in Saugatuck take center stage in an ambitious exhibit at the Saugatuck-Douglas History Museum, 735 Park St., that opened May 23. This year's exhibit is entitled "Summertime: A Century of Leisure at the Lake Michigan Shore". For the exhibit, organizers chose 10 stories, each telling a different part of summer in Saugatuck, from fishing and cottage life to beach fun and art schools. A one-eighth scale model of the riverfront dance hall and entertainment complex has been constructed by Douglas resident Arnold Shafer. Around the scale model of the Pavilion, flat screen televisions will be showing segments of home movies from as far back as 1918. About 100 snapshots of Saugatuck will scroll through the digital display. September 5-Summer 2009: North Berrien
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A colorful history of headwear will open at the North Berrien Historical Museum on Friday, September 5 with an opening reception being held from 6 to 8pm. Hats, Caps & Bonnets: A History of Headwear features over 40 hats tracing the history of headwear from 19th through 21st centuries. The display showcases headwear from the permanent collection as well as some exquisite pieces on loan from local collections. For more information contact Alexander Gates, Director/Curator, at 269-468-3330. Summer 2009: St. Joseph
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A new exhibit at The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center features the work of internationally acclaimed photographer Vincent J. Musi "Yesterday on the West Michigan Pike" consists of 40 striking color photographic prints taken during the summer of 2008, featuring people and places along U.S. Route 31, often referred to as "Michigan’s Route 66." Known as "Beachtowns," some of the communities photographed include: New Buffalo, South Haven, Saugatuck/Douglas, Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon, Hart, Ludington, and St. Joseph. The photos capture the timeless beauty and traditions of this unique sliver of Americana. Accompanying the exhibit are interpretive materials that define the historical origins of the West Michigan Pike, the photographer's written impressions of the region, and a brochure with more in-depth information about the West Michigan Pike. The exhibit will be on display in the Research Library on the lower level at The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center, from June 2 to July 19. Admission to this exhibit is free. The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center is located at 601 Main Street and is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10-4 and Sundays during the summer from 12-4. Now Open: Benton Harbor
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175 Years of Light: St. Joseph's Lighthouse Legacy St. Joseph's lighthouses are perhaps the city's most recognizable landmarks but the two that presently sit at the end of the north pier are only part of a long, lighthouse legacy. Since 1832, St. Joseph has had five different lighthouses, a lighthouse supply depot that served more than 100 lighthouses on Lake Michigan, and a keeper's dwelling which still stands today. Along with photos, 175 Years of Light features small collection items, such as a hat worn by one of St. Joseph's last lighthouse keepers, Ferdinand Ollhoff, as well as a brass button from his uniform. Also included are several objects which commemorate the lighthouses. St. Joseph holds a distinctive place in maritime history as the only city in Michigan with two surviving lighthouses, a restored catwalk, a U.S. lighthouse Supply Depot, and a lighthouse keeper's dwelling. Admission to the exhibit is free and is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 am-4 pm. The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center is located at 601 Main Street, St. Joseph. Please call 269-983-1191 for more information.
To submit information for Historical Happenings:
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or E-mail: hsm@hsmichigan.org or FAX: (517) 324-4370
