Contact:

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

Tele: (269) 471-1202

New museum exhibit

The Greeks of Berrien County, Michigan, a new exhibit on local history, opens on Monday, November 20, at Orchards Mall in Benton Township and runs through January 6, 2007. The exhibit features vintage photos as well as artifacts and embroidered textiles. Exhibit hours are Mondays-Saturdays 12-8 p.m. and Sundays 12-6 p.m. (EST). The exhibit was developed by the Berrien County Historical Association and curated by Elaine Thomopoluos. The Greeks of Berrien County continues an ethnic studies research program that the Historical Association began in 2002.

Co-sponsoring the exhibit is Annunciation and St. Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church and Orchards Mall. It is partially funded by a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The Greeks of Berrien County explores the history of Greek immigrants who settled and vacationed in Berrien County. The exhibit focuses on the immigrant experience, the development of Greek institutions, and the contributions the Greeks made to Berrien County.

Many Greek immigrants who settled in Berrien County in the first half of the 20th century had previously worked as laborers, peddlers or shoeshine boys in big cities like Chicago. After relocating to Berrien County, they opened candy stores, groceries, and other small businesses, mainly around Benton Harbor. Beginning in the 1920s and continuing until the 1960s, vacationing Greeks came from Berrien County to Chicago to escape the heat and crowded conditions of the city. Mothers and children often stayed for weeks or months, with fathers joining them on weekends.

A variety of programs will accompany the exhibit. These will include a 20-page publication, public presentations, and Internet postings. Scheduled program topics include "The Greeks of Berrien County," "The Greeks of Grand Rapids," "Growing Up Greek and American in Detroit," "Like a Little Greek Town: Memories of Michigan Summers," "Greek-American Identity: What Women's Handwork Tells Us," and "Daughter of Immigrants," a literary presentation about a Chicago family.

After debuting at the Orchards Mall, the exhibit will be displayed at the 1839 Courthouse Museum in Berrien Springs from January 18 through February 10, 2007, and then move to the Annunciation and St. Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church complex in New Buffalo. It will be permanently exhibited there beginning on February 18.

The Historical Association is still seeking volunteer staff for the exhibit. You need not be of Greek descent to volunteer. Individuals interesting in volunteering can contact the Berrien County Historical Association at (269) 471-1202.

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