Youth & School Field Trips
The Berrien County Historical Association is delighted to work with children of all ages to inspire a love and appreciation for history. Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, the BCHA is offering newly revised trip and talk options to better service the students of Berrien County! Schools and homeschool groups can opt for an on-site field trip or an in-class “Rent-a-Historian” option.
While our guided tours and activities have associated fees, schools are welcomed to enjoy self-guided tours or use our buildings/grounds for third party activities during normal business hours for free. While there is no cost for these uses, schools will still be required to register with the museum as with any other tour or activity. You can access the registration form HERE.
On-site Tours
Schools will have two options available beginning in the spring of 2023 – regular tour or tour with an activity. Cost vary based on the version you choose and some options may not be feasible based on weather or class size. All tours must be registered with the BCHA one week prior to the selected date. Schools that fail to return the registration form will have their field trip cancelled.
$5.00 per person (student or adult)
Tours for K-8 will last approximately 30 minutes while grades 9 – 12 will go for 45 minutes. At the conclusion of the tour, students will be given free exploration time to enjoy the exhibits and grounds.
Teachers should plan for 1 hour for the tour and up to 30 minutes for on-boarding and departure. Bus parking available.
$8.00 per person (student or adult)
The tour portion will last for 30 minutes and a 5 minute break will be given afterwards. The activity portion will last approximately 30 to 40 minutes depending on the activity and age level of the students.
Teachers should plan for 1 hour and 15 minutes for the tour/ activity and up to 30 minutes for on-boarding and departure. Bus parking available.
In-Classroom Events
As with our tours, schools will have two options available beginning in the spring of 2023 – a simple talk or a talk and activity combo. Costs will vary based on the version you choose, but registration will be required, especially for teachers that opt for an included activity. All in-class events must be registered with the BCHA one week prior to the selected date. Schools that fail to return the registration form will have their in-class visit cancelled.
$25, single class*
$50, up to three classes*
$150 for school-wide*
The BCHA will send one of our knowledgeable historians to visit your classroom to talk about Berrien County history. These will explore general history unless a specific subtopic is requested with enough time. Staff will bring artifacts and other items to compliment the talk, which will last approximately 30 minutes with a 15 Q&A session.
*Schools located outside of Berrien County will be required to pay an additional $20 mileage fee.
$3.00 per student plus $25.00 rental fee*
Fees include all materials needed to complete the activity. Activity option is available single classroom experiences only.
The activity will take approximately 45 minutes and the talk will be incorporated rather than treated as a separate element.
*Schools located outside of Berrien County will be required to pay an additional $20 mileage fee.
Adult Group Tours & Talks
The BCHA provided on-site and travelling opportunities for groups looking to discover more about Berrien County. These tours are designed for adult groups, although mixed age groups will have an enjoyable time! For groups interested in learning more about the area’s history, heritage, and culture but are not able or interested in travelling to the Courthouse Square, specialty talks are available.
Regardless if you join us on site or we join you, registration is required and must be submitted to the BCHA one week prior for a tour or two weeks prior for a talk. Failure to finish registration may result in your tour or talk being cancelled. You can access the registration form HERE.
$7.00 per person, maximum of 50 people per tour
Group tours of the Courthouse Square are approximately 30 to 40 minutes long and afterwards, guests are free to explore the grounds. Tour leaders should incorporate approximately 30 minutes for welcoming and departure needs.
For an additional $1.00 per person, you can add a talk to your tour! See our travelling lecture option for available topics.
$75.00 per talk*
The BCHA offers seven diverse topics for you to choose from, all with their own unique power point presentation featuring images from our collections. Each talk is approximately 45 minutes and usually includes a 15 minute Q&A. The following topics are available:
- Moose and Elk: The symbols of Michigan
- Global Titan: The History of the Clark Equipment Company
- Never Walk Safely Again: A Murder Story
- Titanic on Trial: William Alden Smith’s Hunt for the Truth
- Historic Rituals: The Freemason of Berrien County
- An Acre of Our Own: The Jewish Farmers of Berrien County
- Bitter Battle: The Elections that Changed Berrien County
Specialty talks may be available with advanced notice.
*Groups outside of Berrien county will subjected to a $20 mileage fee