EXHIBITS & PROGRAMS

EXHIBITS - The gallery on the first floor of the 1839 Courthouse is devoted to exhibits on Berrien County history. Topics covered include early colonial forts, the fur trade, railroads, the Civil War, early Berrien County industries, Native Americans and area pre-history. The Sheriff’s House gallery hosts changing exhibits. Exhibit openings are listed in the Calendar of Events section of this web site.

In addition to exhibits at the 1839 Courthouse Museum, the BCHA mounts major exhibitions (7,000 sq. ft.) off-site. Locations include the Orchards Mall in Benton Township, Michigan. Off-site exhibit information is also included in the Calendar of Events section of this web site.

PROGRAMS - A current listing of public programs is available in the Calendar of events section of this web site. The BCHA offers ongoing educational programs, both on-site and in the classroom. School tours of the 1839 Courthouse Square must be arranged in advance with the museum curator. As part of the museum visit, a mock trial program is available. Students recreate an actual counterfeiting case tried in the 1839 Courthouse in the 1840s. Students play all the roles, including judge, jury, attorneys, sheriff and defendant. The actual verdict in the case is not revealed to students prior to the mock trial, so it is up to members of the jury to acquit or to find their classmate guilty. Special school tour rates are available.

Classroom programs include living-history presentations. Teachers can invite a Civil War soldier or French voyageur to speak to their class. Students are even invited to ask questions of their historic visitor. For more information on classroom programs or museum visits, contact the curator at (269) 471-1202.

The BCHA staff is also available for programs for historical groups, service clubs and other organizations. Programs offered include the living-history presentations mentioned above. Lecture programs include an introduction to the 1839 Courthouse Museum, museum-quality preservation at historic sites, the care of historical collections, railroads in Berrien County, and the leisure revolution in America. Information on current programs can be obtained by contacting the museum. Some programs are available at no charge, but others require a speaker’s fee to cover expenses.

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Berrien County Historical Association
313 N. Cass Street, P.O. Box 261, Berrien Springs, MI 49103
tel:  269-471-1202  fax:  269-471-7412
email: info@berrienhistory.org