2011 Program Flyer

Thursdays at Courthouse Square

The History Center’s summer program series returns with exciting presenters! The programs are free of charge thanks to generous grants from the Berrien Springs-Eau Claire Rotary Club and Indiana Michigan Power. All programs are on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at the History Center.

June 23: "Up in the U.P.! - Songs about Michigan’s Upper Peninsula." Film-maker and song writer Bill Jamerson returns with original songs and stories of life in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Jamerson shares colorful tales of mining towns such as Negaunee and Ishpeming, the winter sport of ski jumping, and the favorite food choice of iron miners, pasties!

June 30: "The St. Joseph." Author Kit Lane of Douglas presents The St. Joseph, a program based on her most recent book in the Rivers of Michigan Series. This program examines the earliest settlements along the river, as well as, a mile-by-mile survey of the 200 mile-long river.

July 7: "Lost on the Lady Elgin." Award-winning author and historian Valerie van Heest tells the story of the 1860 sinking of the side wheel steamer Lady Elgin. van Heest takes us back to the dark stormy night that resulted in the deaths of more than 300 people, the worst disaster to ever take place on the open waters of Lake Michigan.

July 14: "Michigan and the Civil War: A Great and Bloody Sacrifice." Michigan author, attorney, and Vice President of the Michigan Historical Commission, Jack Dempsey presents a lively account of Michigan’s heroic role in saving the Union. Based on new research, he examines the lucrative contributions of the Great Lakes State during the Civil War.

July 21: "The House of David and the Great War." Historian and author of Brother Benjamin: A History of the Israelite House of David and Quiet Guilt: The State Of Michigan v. Starr Clare Adkin will present a program about the relationship of the House of David to WWI, and the role conscientious objection played in the life of colony members.

July 28: "Stories and Songs of the Métis Voyageur." Genot Picor shares the stories and songs of his explorations and experiences as a French-Huron scout who found his way to the Great Lakes and was befriended by the Ojibwa People of the region.

For more information on any of the programs,
please call The History Center at 269-471-1202