Contact:

Leo J. Goodsell, Executive Director

Berrien County Historical Association

P.O. Box 261

Berrien Springs, MI 49103

Tele: (269) 471-1202

The Berrien County Historical Association Kicks off 2002 Annual Fund Drive

BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICHIGAN: The Berrien County Historical Association kicked off its 2002 Annual Fund Drive at its annual membership meeting held in Berrien Springs on April 27, 2002. Its Fund Drive goal is $14,000 and over $2,500 has already been received from members and supporters. "Financial difficulties during 2001 presented serious challenges of a different nature to the BCHA and other nonprofits in Berrien County. While we suffered with all our friends, we appreciate the support and confidence provided by our members, friends and supporters," said Leo Goodsell, executive director of the BCHA.

The BCHA relies on grants, donations, membership dues, program fees, and museum shop sales to maintain and operate the facility and to offer quality programming. Annual fund contributions make up the remainder of our operating budget. An additional $11,500 in program funds is needed to continue the high quality free or low cost programming throughout Berrien County.

Contributions Support BCHA Programs, Exhibits, Publications and Preservation Services.

BCHA school, outreach, and tour programs serve thousands of Berrien County school children each year. Outreach programs include a living history visit from a Civil War soldier and a French voyageur. Programs at the 1839 Courthouse Museum include the popular mock trials and hands-on programs demonstrating early American life. Last March about 550 children experienced the return of Sword of the Spirit, a play about abolitionist John Brown. The play brought to life one man's personal struggle to end slavery in America. This year the BCHA is hosting "We Shall Overcome: Photographs of the American Civil Rights Era," a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit.

Throughout the year, BCHA staff produce exhibits, radio programs and publications, including the award-winning exhibit "Lost on the Lakes: Shipwrecks of Berrien County,' and the award-winning book Adeline & Julia: Growing Up in Michigan and on the Kansas Frontier, as well as Historical Sketches of Berrien County, Volume 4. The staff also provides advice and assistance on preservation issues to individuals, local governments and other nonprofits.

If you are able to support the good work of our professional and volunteer staff with a contribution to this year's annual fund drive call Leo Goodsell at the Berrien County Historical Association at (269) 471-1202. The BCHA is located at the 1839 Courthouse Complex, 313 N. Cass Street (old US 31), Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103. www.berrienhistory.org.

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