Trapping and Trading: The Fur Trade
Tools of the Blacksmith
Heritage Tours
Special Events
Haunted St. Joseph Walking Tour
Downtown Hauntings & St. Joseph City Cemetery! Only $5!
The Haunted St. Joseph Walking Tour features a guided tour down State Street pointing out a dozen plus notable houses and a tour of resting places in the St. Joseph City Cemetery of former notable city residents. This tour event is a collaboration between the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center located in St. Joseph and the History Center at Courthouse Square.
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt: The War Years
First Lady Anna Eleanor Roosevelt supported her husband Franklin’s policies and advocated humanitarian causes. She later became famous as a co-creator of and delegate to the United Nations. After her husband was stricken with paralysis, Eleanor became Franklin’s eyes and ears, listening to his constituents and providing a sounding board for Franklin’s policies. After Franklin’s death, Eleanor continued to champion human rights, actively fighting segregation as First Lady of the World. Eleanor’s difficult early life made her sensitive to the pain of others and her character made her commit to a lifetime devoted to easing that suffering. Drawn to the strong women of the 1930’s, women who broke free from their limitations and inspired others to do the same, Rene Goodwin approached Pamela and William Sommerfield in the 1980’s to develop an historically authentic presentation of Eleanor Roosevelt. Ms Goodwin researched Eleanor’s voice by playing 100+ reel-to-reel speeches. Rene researched Eleanor’s clothing just as meticulously. Rene continually refreshes the presentation material by being humbly open and responsive to her audience. Ms. Goodwin’s Eleanor Roosevelt elicits a visceral reaction: she’s frequently told, “We felt the presence of Eleanor.” Tickets: $75 -Tickets include $25 tax deductible donation Table for 8: $500 – Table includes $100 tax deductible donation Choice of Dinner Entrees Sliced Beef Tenderloin – Salmon – Vegetarian
Special Exhibits and Popular Attractions
Wisdom Seekers
COMING IN 2016 - The story of Andrews University: From Battle Creek…to Box Cars…to Berrien Springs
Andrews University has been an integral part of our community for more than one hundred years. Generations of local residents and students, as well as students from around the world, all share in its vast history. This exhibit traces the founding of the university from its early days as Battle Creek College in the 1870’s, to the big move to Berrien Springs in 1901, to the impact that Andrews University has on the community today.
1839 Courthouse Restored
Completed in 1839, Berrien County's Greek Revival-style courthouse was designed by local architect Gilbert Avery. After the county seat was moved to St. Joseph in 1894, the 1839 courthouse saw use as a community center, dance hall, militia training site, church and school. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places the 1839 Courthouse and surrounding buildings in Courthouse Square is one of the oldest surviving government complexes in the Midwest.
Tools of the Blacksmith
Recreated on the site is a working forge to illustrate the importance of blacksmiths in small communities.
Free Public Programs
Join us for these educational events
"Thursdays at Courthouse Square" is over for this season. But, we still have many other programs coming up. See all these free public upcoming programs / events here as they become available.
Join Berrien Springs in welcoming in the Christmas season.
The History Center at Courthouse Square is proud to participate in this community-wide event. Here at Courthouse Square you can listen to Christmas music in the Courthouse, hear Curator Bob Myers tell of early Christmas traditions in the Log Cabin, and watch blacksmith Dave Francis create sleigh bells in Bennett's Forge.
Educational Programs and Services
Schedule a Program or Service Today!
Outreach programs are available for either day or evening presentations, depending on staff availability. To schedule a program for your organization, call the Berrien County Historical Association at (269) 471-1202, or email us at info@berrienhistory.org.
Program fees: Outreach programs are $60 each. Multiple programs on the same day and location are $60 for the first program and $30 for each additional program. Mileage is charged for programs presented at locations outside of Berrien County.
Gift Shop
Welcome to the History Center's New Gift Shop
The Museum Store carries a varied selection of local and regional history books, children’s books, American Girl books, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, home décor, and much more!
See more... Books for Sale ...here.
Historic Walking Tour of St. Joseph
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