Saturday, September 24, 2011

The Tri-City Heritage Tour highlights the Southwest Michigan communities of Coloma, Watervliet, and Hartford and surrounding areas including Hagar and Bainbridge Townships. The Tour allows you to take a closer look at historic sites and stories in the heart of the Fruit Belt and celebrates our shared heritage of agriculture, summer resorts, and small-town traditions.

2011 Tri-City Heritage Tour Sites

Open 10:00am – 4:00pm unless otherwise noted. All admission and activities are free.

1. North Berrien Historical Museum (Coloma Township)

North Berrien Photography Contest Exhibit; Women in Baseball Exhibit – Vintage Pennant craft for all ages

2. Van Buren County Historical Museum (Hartford Township)

Live Blacksmith Demonstration Noon-4:00pm; Tours; Refreshment Sales

3. Southwestern Michigan Crate, Basket & Veneer Machinery Museum (Hagar Township)

Guided Tours at 10:00am, 12:00pm, and 2:00pm

4. Sanctuary Baptist Church/ Fmr. First Methodist Church (Watervliet)

Open House and historical display

5. Hartford Library/ Olds-Merriman House (Hartford)

Open House/ Demonstrations of internet access to historic Hartford Day Spring newspapers

6. Coloma Interurban Station (Coloma)

Open House; Short talks on local interurban history at 11:00am and 3:00pm

7. Paper Mill Dam Removal Project/ Hays Park (Watervliet)

Tent Open 1:00-4:00pm. Meet former employees of the Watervliet Paper Mill and view historic photos and maps of the mill area; View the progress on the Watervliet Dams Removal Project on the Paw Paw River

8. Nafziger Barn (Bainbridge Township)

Tours; Quilting demonstrations; Memoirs of Herbert Nafziger From Shy to Bungtown (2011) for sale

9. Tees Barn (Bainbridge Township)

Tours, including historic horse shoes and tack; view contents of NBHS’ “All About Barns” Traveling Trunk

View the full list of Past Tour Sites or click the map below to learn more.

This free event was organized by the North Berrien Historical Society. It was originally sponsored in part by a grant from the Berrien Community Foundation.

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