Contact:

Frances Porter, Executive Director
Berrien County Historical Association
P.O. Box 261
Berrien Springs, MI 49103

Tele: (269) 471-1202

Greek-American history program

The Berrien County Historical Association and the Annunciation and St. Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church will present the documentary film "Greeks and Americans" on Wednesday, July 19, at 7:00 p.m. The screening will take place at the church, located at 17769 Behner Road in New Buffalo. A discussion and refreshments will follow the program. Admission is free.

"Greeks and Americans," a 52-minute documentary film produced by the Greek National Television Network (NET), presents a lively historical account of Greek immigration to America beginning with the Greek explorers of the 17th century and the colonists of the 18th century. Through archival photographs, motion picture clips and interviews with immigrants and their children, it shows the difficulties faced by the immigrant families who came from Greece and Asia Minor during the early 20th century. The film offers a compassionate picture of immigrant life. It is noted for its profound impact not only on people of Greek descent but also on those whose families came to America from other countries. "Greeks and Americans" was written and directed by Tassos Rigopoulos and produced by Dimitris Bakalbassis for NET.

In addition to the film, the Michigan Humanities Council will make a special grant presentation in support of the upcoming exhibit "Greeks of Berrien County." The exhibit will open at the Orchards Mall in Benton Township on November 20, 2006. It will then move to the 1839 Courthouse Museum in Berrien Springs and the Annunciation and St. Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church. A publication and presentations by humanities scholars will accompany the exhibit.

The Berrien County Historical Association’s 1839 Courthouse Complex is located at 313 N. Cass Street ( old US 31), in Berrien Springs, Michigan. It is the site of the Historic county seat and comprises the 1839 Courthouse, 1870s Sheriff’s Residence, 1830 Murdock Log House, Bennett’s Forge and 1870 Jail Plaza. For more information call (269) 471-1202.

PHOTO CAPTIONS (Click on image to view a full size version.)