Contact:

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

Tele: (269) 471-1202

Reception for museum firefighting exhibit

The 1839 Courthouse Museum in Berrien Springs will hold an opening reception for its new firefighting history exhibit on Thursday, July 20, at 6:30 p.m. The exhibit, "Fire! Fire! Firefighting in Berrien County" features artifacts and photographs of fires and fire departments in the area. The reception is free of charge and open to the public.

The exhibit showcases many original artifacts from the collection of Joe Mitchell and Peg Williamson Mitchell of St. Joseph. Items on exhibit include a 19th century hand-drawn hosecart and a rare tarred fire bucket, both used by the St. Joseph Fire Department. Other artifacts on exhibit are from the Historical Association collections.

Photographs in the exhibit come from the collections of the Berrien County Historical Association, the Fort St. Joseph Museum in Niles, the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center in St. Joseph, and the Buchanan District Library. The Mitchells will be on hand at the reception to explain the history and uses of the firefighting artifacts.

The reception is part of the Historical Association's ongoing summer program series, Thursday Night at the Museum. For more information, contact the Berrien County Historical Association at (269) 471-1202.

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.

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