Sring 2012 Docket - Berrien County Historical Association

Vol. 28, No. 1 Spring 2012History Center Annual MeetingMichigan and the RMS TitanicJoin us on Tuesday, April 24, for the BerrienCounty Historical Association’s Annual Meeting. Ourprogram that evening will commemorate the 100thanniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic and themany connections of Michigan to the event.The annual meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. at theHistory Center at Courthouse Square in Berrien Springs.A brief business meeting will precede the program;refreshments will follow.The evening will also include the presentation ofthe second annual Frank J. Ward Memorial HistoryAward. The History Award will be presented annually tohonor an individual, organization or business that advancesthe cause of local history through research,writing, historic preservation or programming. The awardis named for Frank Junior Ward, a long-time member andbenefactor of the History Center at Courthouse Square.Admission to the evening is free and the public iswelcome to attend.History Center curator Robert Myers will presenta new PowerPoint program about the Titanic and itshistorical significance. The program focuses on Sen.Passengers board lifeboats as the Titanic sinksWilliam Alden Smith - a native of Dowagiac - who chairedthe U. S. Senate inquiry into the disaster. The ship’spassenger list included Dickinson and Helen Bishop ofDowagiac in first class; the family of Nellie Becker,missionaries to India bound for Benton Harbor, in secondclass; and the family of Hanna Touma traveling in thirdclass and immigrating from Lebanon to Dowagiac.Books and motion pictures have made the Titanica cultural icon, but thefindings and recommendationsof Senator Smith’scommittee had far-reachingeffects on maritime laws thatcontinue to the present day.We invite you to joinus at the Annual Meeting todiscover the stories behindthe story of the most famousshipwreck of all time.Artist’s rendering of the Titanic’s bow section, 2 1/2 miles belowthe surface of the North Atlantic.Michigan senator William AldenSmith headed the U.S. inquiry

Page 3Summer Program Series Returns!Thursdays at Courthouse SquareThe History Center’s popular summer evening programseries returns this year with a little help from our friends at theBerrien Springs/Eau Claire Rotary Club and Indiana MichiganPower. Sponsorhips from these two organizations have fundedthe speakers’ honoria and other costs, helping us to make thisyear’s program series the best one yet.All programs are on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. atthe History Center. Admission is free!June 21: “From Pathways toExpressways: A Quaint, Clever,and Quixotic History of the Roadsof Southern Michigan.” WesternMichigan University professoremeritus Dr. John Geisler will presenta program on the Sauk Trail/US 12that runs from Detroit to NewBuffalo. This PowerPoint presentationfollows the trail as it evolvedinto a highway while highlighting itsintriguing history along the way.July 12: “Congregationalists, Love, and the Civil War: GeneralJoshua and Mrs. Fanny Chamberlain in 19 th Century America.”Ted and Faye Chamberlainportray UnionGeneral Joshua Chamberlain,the hero ofLittle Round Top at theBattle of Gettysburg,and his wife Fanny.This dynamic couplewill share their storiesand experiences of lifeduring the AmericanCivil War.July 19: “Folk Songs ofthe Great Lakes Region.”Popular musician andhistorian LeeMurdock’s folk songstell the fascinating talesof the people of theGreat Lakes region. Hiscompositions combinehistorical research andcontemporary insights toillustrate life along the freshwater highways of North America.June 28: “Bombs Away.”Saginaw-based television newsreporter and videographer RicMixter will present the story ofMichigan’s airfields thatlaunched the Tuskegee Airmen,biplane aces and one of thelongest bombing missions inhistory. He shares rare footageand interviews with the menand women who made historyat our local airbases. Profiles ofSelfridge, Kincheloe, Sawyer,and Wurtsmith air force basesare featured.July 26: “Journey toParadise on the Erie Canal!”Michael Deren of Ann Arbortakes you on a musical journeyfrom the perspective of an1840’s Canal Boat Captain.Travel with him from NewEngland to the Michiganwilderness via the Erie Canal.He plays banjo, concertina,bones, penny whistle, andlimber toys while sharingstories of his adventures alongthe canal.July 5: “The Battle of Middleburg” byHistory Center curator Bob Myers. The12 th Michigan Infantry fought a littleknownbattle at Middleburg, Tennessee in1862. A tiny force of 115 men defendedtheir post against 5,000 Confederatecavalry. This new PowerPoint presentationlooks at a Union victory against theodds that renewed the spirit of the 12thMichigan Regiment.

Page 4Smoky Mountain Holiday TourSeptember 15-22, 2012Join us this coming September for a fantasticeight-day, seven night tour of Kentucky and Tennessee.We have a wonderful trip planned that will take in thatregion’s premier scenic and historical attractions.Our tours always travel aboard the very comfortableCardinal motorcoaches. You can leave the drivingand planning to someone else as you just relax and enjoythe trip.As usual, our tours include almost everything:transportation, all lodging, all dinners and breakfasts,Ramsey Falls in the Great Smoky Mountain NationalParksome lunches, all admission fees, taxes and gratuities. Weeven cover the driver’s tip!As a History Center member, you automaticallyqualify for the members’ discount price of $1,599 perperson. This year’s tour itinerary includes:* Dinner train at Bardstown, Kentucky* My Old Kentucky Home State Park* Heaven Hill Distillery Tour & Tasting* Andrew Jackson home, The Hermitage* Belle Meade Plantation* Show at The Grand Old Opry* Lookout Mountain Inclined Railway* Chattanooga/Chickamauga Battlefield National Park* Mary Todd Lincoln Home* Great Smoky Mountain National ParkMingus Mill in the Great Smoky MountainsOur last two tours have sold out, so be sure to getyour reservation in soon! A $200 deposit will reserve yourplace on the tour.

Join the History Center Today!Name: ____________________________________________________________________________ Phone: _________________________Page 5Address: _________________________________________________________________________ Fax:____________________________City: _______________________________________ State: _______ Zip: _____________________ E-mail: _________________________Membership categories:BasicSupporting[ ] Individual $20 [ ] Contributing $40[ ] Family $30 [ ] Sustaining $50[ ] Institutional $40 [ ] Patron $100[ ] Benefactor $500Additional donation $ ___________________Amount Enclosed: $ ____________________Please make checks payable to the Berrien CountyHistorical Association orPlease charge my credit card: (Circle one)MasterCardVisaCard Number: ________________________________Expiration Date: ______________________________Join now and take immediate advantage ofmembers’ discounts on our publications and ourSmoky Mountain Holiday Tour!Mail or fax to: BCHA, PO Box 261,Berrien Springs, MI 49103Phone: (269) 471-1202 Fax: (269) 471-7412Enjoy our Local History!Greetings from Benton Harbor ($27.95) Quantity: _____ Total: $__________Locomotives Along the Lakeshore ($24.95) Quantity: _____ Total: $__________Greetings from St. Joseph ($27.95) Quantity: _____ Total: $__________Greetings from Berrien Springs ($21.95) Quantity: _____ Total: $__________Greetings from Buchanan ($24.95) Quantity: _____ Total: $__________Historical Sketches of Berrien County ($22.95) Quantity: _____ Total: $__________Twin City Trolleys ($8.95) Quantity: _____ Total: $__________The Story of Buchanan, a history ($14.95) Quantity: _____ Total: $__________SPECIAL: Greetings from Buchanan & Story of Buchanan Quantity: _____ Total: $__________Get both for $29.95Subtotal $__________Discounts (Library 20%/Member 10%) $__________State sales tax (6% for Michigan orders only) $__________Shipping ($4.95 for 1 book, $1.00 each additional book. $__________TOTAL $__________Save on shipping and pick up your books from the History Center Store!SHIP TO:Name:______________________________Address: _________________________________City: ____________________________________State _____________ Zip ___________________Tele: _______________________________Make check/money order payable to:Berrien County Historical Assn.P.O. Box 261, Berrien Springs, MI49103. (269) 471-1202.For Credit Card orders (Visa & MC)Credit Card # ______________________________Expiration Date: ___________________________Name on Card : ____________________________Signature: _________________________________

Page 6Sanctuary Tour withMary’s City of DavidIt’s a rare chance to tour Mary’s Shiloh House, theSynagogue and Eden Springs next June with our SanctuaryTour at Mary’s City of David.The tours, co-sponsored with Mary’s City ofDavid, will be on Sunday, June 3. Tours run once an hourfrom 12 to 5 p.m. with the last tour beginning at 4:00 p.m.All tours are at Mary’s City of David, 1158 East BritainAvenue, Benton Harbor. Tickets are $20 per person andreservations are required.Israelites at Mary’s City of David built the synagogue for Jewswho came to vacation at their popular resort.Shiloh House at Mary’s City of DavidReservations can be made by calling the HistoryCenter at (269) 471-1202. We take Visa or Mastercard, oryou can mail a check to PO Box 261, Berrien Springs, MI49103.Founded in Benton Harbor in 1903, the IsraeliteHouse of David religious order divided into two communitiesin 1930. The City of David, led by Mary Purnell,operated a resort, restaurant, hotel, farms and other businesses.Shiloh House, the main residence building, hasrarely been opened to the public.In addition to Shiloh, the Synagogue, and EdenSprings, the City of David Museum and Gift Shop will beopen throughout the afternoon.Deer Path Gardens Tour with Sarett Nature CenterEnjoy an afternooon of gardens and natural historywith our tour of Deer Path Gardens and Sarett NatureCenter. The event is Sunday, August 5, from 1 to 5 p.m.Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.The tour includes Deer Path Gardens in Benton Harbor,plus admission to Sarett Nature Center, its gardens and itsbutterfly house.Professionally-designed Deer Path Gardensfeatures perennial gardens, waterfalls, three koi ponds, andshaded patios. Ffiteen acres of natural woodland, wildflowermeadows and walking paths surround the gardens.Members of the Highcliffe Terrace Garden Clubwill staff the gardens to provide information and insightinto the various plantings. Light refreshments will beserved at the home of Deer Path Gardens owners Glennand Margaret Poole.To make your reservations for the Garden Tour,call the History Center at (269) 471-1202, or contactSarett Nature Center at (269) 927-4832. Proceeds benefitboth the History Center and Sarett Nature Center.Glenn and Margaret Poole own and care for Deer Path Gardens

Page 7Curator’s CornerRecent DonationsSailmaker’s palm, subscription receipts . .Richard H. BartzPhotographs, postcard . . . . . . . . . . . . . William J. BurkePhotograph, 1929 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carol J. BurtonClark Equipment Co. photos, . . . . . . . . Brian A. McintyrenewsletterHarper’s Weekly, 1868 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert C. MyersCash register, 1925 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bruce B. PrillwitzBankbooks, papers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin PschigodaBenton Harbor High School . . . . . . . . . . . George Rubleyearbook, 1916Book, Benton Harbor: The . . . . . . . . Daryl T. SchlenderMetropolis of the Fruit BeltBlossomtime Festival soda bottles . . . . . . . Scott C. StumpBlossomtime Festival soda bottles, donated by ScottStump“Annie Oakley: Little Sure Shot”History Center’s 2012 Signature Event Features Star of the Wild West ShowJoin the History Center at Courthouse Square forour 2012 Signature Event next fall as we welcome AnnieOakley to southwest Michigan.This year’s event will take place atthe Lake Michigan College Mendel Centeron Thursday, October 23. The evening startswith music and a social hour at 6:00 p.m.,followed by dinner, door prizes, a silentauction and a visit with Annie Oakley.“Little Sure Shot,” portrayed byKim Hanley of Philadelphia, numberedamong the most famous American celebritiesof her era. With her partner, William“Buffalo Bill” Cody, she became the world’sfirst international superstar.Our past Signature Event guests haveincluded Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln,Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, andMark Twain. We’re looking forward toanother fascinating evening with our 2012guest.Kim Hanley as sharpshooter Annie Oakley

Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDBerrien Springs, MIPERMIT NO. 38Post Office Box 261Berrien Springs, MI 49103CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTEDContinuing and Upcoming EventsOngoing: Down on the Farm: Specialty Agriculture inBerrien County. Exhibit at the History Center. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.,Mondays - Fridays.April 24: Berrien County Historical Association’s AnnualMeeting. 7:00 p.m. “Michigan and the RMS Titanic,” bycurator Robert Myers. Public welcome, free admission.May 11: Springing into the 1830s. Our annual living historyprogram highlights Michigan’s early settlement period forstudents in the upper elementary age group. Friday, 9:30-11:30a.m. and 12:30-2:30 p.m. $3.00 per student.June 2: Museum Store Open House. The History Center’ssummer hours start with an Open House and special savings atthe Museum Store. 10 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Saturday.June 3: Tour of Mary’s City of David. Tour Shiloh House, theSynagogue and Eden Springs. 12-5 p.m. $20 per person.June 21: Thursdays at Courthouse Square. “From Pathwaysto Expressways: A Quaint, Clever and Quixotic History ofthe Roads of Southern Michigan.” WMU professor Dr. JohnGeisler follows the Great Sauk Trail/US 12 from Detroit toChicago. 6:30 p.m. Free admission.June 28: Thursdays at Courthouse Square. “Bombs Away.”Ric Mixter of Saginaw tells the story of Michigan’s historicairfields. 6:30 p.m. Free admission.July 5: Thursdays at Courthouse Square. “The Battle ofMiddleburg.” Curator Bob Myers examines a little knownbattle of the Civil War, when 115 men of the 12th Michigan foughtoff 5,000 rebel cavalry. 6:30 p.m. Free admission.July 12: Thursdays at Courthouse Square. “Congregationalists,Love and the Civil War. Ted and Faye Chamberlain portraythe hero of Little Round Top, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain of the20th Maine, and his wife, Fanny. 6:30 p.m. Free admission.July 19: Thursdays at Courthouse Square. “Folk Songs of theGreat Lakes Region.” Singer/songwriter Lee Murdock combinesmusic and history to tell about life along America’s freshwaterhighways. 6:30 p.m. Free admission.July 26: Thursdays at Courthouse Square. “Journey toParadise on the Erie Canal.” Michael Deren of Ann Arbor takesyou on a musical journey as a canal boat captain. 6:30 p.m. Freeadmission.August 5: Tour of Deer Path Gardens, with hosts Glenn andMargaret Poole. 1-5 p.m. Tickets $10 in advance, $12 at the door.August 15-20: Visit our booth at the Berrien County Youth Fair!September 15-22: Smoky Mountain Holiday Tour. Eight-day,seven-night motorcoach tour through historic, scenic Kentucky andTennessee.October 25: “‘Little Sure Shot:’ Annie Oakley.” 6:00 p.m. atthe Lake Michigan College Mendel Center. Our Signature Eventfeatures the legendary star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.Dinner and program $75 per person, $500 for a table for eight.