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Western Michigan History Events
November 18: Vicksburg
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Priscilla Massie, a Michigan historian specializing in old-fashioned cooking techniques bill give a cooking demonstration at 7 pm. For more information and details as they become available please call (269) 649-1733.December 7: Coopersville
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The first Saturday in December is a day for pets at the Coopersville Farm Museum! Come in and check out all the animals dressed in adorable costumes, or bring your pet to get their photo taken with Santa! There will be vendors and fun activities all day long. For more information please call (616) 997-8555.December 27: Vicksburg
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Come enjoy Christmas Past, a celebration in the Historic Village the way it was before electricity. The purpose will be to be transported back to another era and experience it with one's own eyes. The event will begin at 7 pm. For more information and details as they become available please call (269) 649-1733. December 28: Grand Rapids
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Night at Your Museum, inspired by the similarly-named movie, returns this year on Sunday, December 28 to the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Each guest receives a souvenir flashlight and honorary security guard badge upon admittance to the dimly-lit Museum. Following a dinner buffet you'll become part of the drama that unfolds as characters from the exhibits come to life on all three floors of the Museum. Tickets go on sale to the general public December 1, Members may purchase tickets November 3. This event SOLD OUT weeks ahead for the past two years, so don't delay!
March 28-29, 2009: Muskegon
The West Shore Symphony Presents American Made: The Art of Manufacturing
Friday and Saturday at 8 pm. This exciting multi-media program tells the story of American manufacturing through videotape and photos projected on multiple screens accompanied by live all-American music. This dynamic process mixes live performance images with recorded footage of the manufacturing process (both local and national), the people that make it happen, and the products that benefit everyone. The score includes Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” used to musically back "An Ode to the American Worker."
Western Michigan History Exhibits
Holland: Ongoing
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The splendid new 2nd floor galleries house the Holland Museum's extensive Dutch Collection of Fine & Decorative Arts, illustrating 600 years of art and culture. On exhibit are fifty-six 17th to 20th century Dutch paintings and more than one hundred and fifty cultural objects: from fine furniture, delftware and silver, to original Dutch costumes. Regular admission is charged and members are free. Holland Museum, 31 W 10th St; for more information please call (616) 392-9084 or toll free (888) 200-9123. November 15 – February 1 2009: Holland
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For centuries Nicholas the Christian Saint, also known as Santa Claus, has been venerated by Orthodox and Catholics and honored by Protestants, for his faith and his example of generosity to those in need, especially children. A selection of Saint Nicholas icons and images in various media shows the beloved saint in these traditions. Lobby exhibit requires no admission. The Holland Museum, 31 West 10th Street, Holland, MI. For more information please call(616) 392-9084 or toll free (888) 200-9123. Till Feburary 1, 2009: Holland
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An authority on Great Lakes Native American life, Grand Rapids artist and journalist William J. Kubik is the author of Great Lakes Indians: A Pictorial Guide. This exhibit will focus on his paintings showing tribal life scenes or portraits of Michigan Indians. Reg. admission, members free. Holland Museum, 31 W 10th St; for more information please call (616) 392-9084 or toll free (888) 200-9123. South Haven: May 24th - October 31st
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The Historical Association of South Haven will be holding Building Tours of the Hartman School Building on Sundays from 2 pm. to 4 pm. For more information please visit www.historyofsouthhaven.org.Two Year Event: Benton Harbor
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"World's Largest"- The Benton Harbor Fruit Market and Southwest Michigan's Fruit Belt This two-year exhibit explores the rich fruit growing environment in Southwest Michigan and the significant impact of the Benton Harbor Fruit Market. The display highlights collections of historical artifact, photographs and documents from local farming families and fruit related businesses. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 to 4:00 Admission: Members and children 15 & under, Free Non-Members, $5.00 Location: Second Floor September 5 – Summer 2009: North Berrien
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A colorful history of headwear will open at the North Berrien Historical Museum on Friday, September 5 with an opening reception being held from 6 to 8pm. Hats, Caps & Bonnets: A History of Headwear features over 40 hats tracing the history of headwear from 19th through 21st centuries. The display showcases headwear from the permanent collection as well as some exquisite pieces on loan from local collections. For more information contact Alexander Gates, Director/Curator, at 269-468-3330. Through October 31: Ada
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The Ada Farmer's Market, sponsered by the Ada Township Parks Committee, will be open to the public each Friday from June 6th until October 31st. The market hours are from 11 am to 3 pm.Now open through December: Zeeland
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Lost and Found -Shipwrecks of West Michigan The Zeeland Historical Society in collaboration with Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates presents a new gallery exhibit at the Dekkerhuis Museum in Zeeland. The exhibit explores the evolution of Great Lakes maritime history through various ships all lost and some found. Descriptive panels, historic photos, drawings and artifacts will paint a picture of the plethora of shipwrecks hidden in the depths of Lake Michigan. Hours: Thursday 10-7 and Saturday 10-2. Admission freeNow Open: Benton Harbor
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"A Scrapbook of Memories: Germans from Russia in Southwestern Michigan" The Heritage Museum's new exhibit tells the story of Germans from Russia who later immigrated to Berrien County. In the 1760s, Czarina Catherine the Great offered incentives for Germans to settle in Russia. Following a loss of personal freedoms in the 1870s, many of these Germans then immigrated to America. Berrien County has the world's largest concentration of Germans from Volhynia, Russia (now located in Ukraine). Coordinated by the Southwest Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, the exhibit features citizenship papers and photos of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island, German prayer books and hymnals, Russian babushkas and amber necklaces, and even a model of a horse-driven threshing machine. These objects bring to life the history of several local families. Visit the exhibit to learn about this dynamic cultural group and how they continue to preserve their heritage. Located on the 2nd floor balcony. Admission is free.Present - October 31: Muskegon
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As part of the Historic Sites of the Muskegon County Museum, the 1890 Hackley House and the 1915 Hume House illustrate the homes of the late Victorian Era. The new exhibit Making a House a Home at these sites will examine the technology and products used in these homes during the period. Guided tours are offered Wednesday through Sunday from Noon to 4 pm. The site is located on W. Webster Ave. at Sixth St. in Muskegon. April-July: Coopersville
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Jim Ponshair of Allendale will be sharing part of his collection of hand carved birds for exhibit at the Coopersville Farm Museum. Jim began his wood carving hobby 45 years ago. He is a life member of the Michigan Audubon Society and a charter member of the Grand Rapids Audubon Club. After extensive years of keeping bird records of our area. Jim later published a book entitled, "Birds of Ottawa County". Stop in and experience nature's beauty. For more information please call (616) 997-8555. August 1 - September 30: Coopersville
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The Coopersville Farm Museum will be holding their 7th annual exhibit of Quilts and Their Stories. This exhibition includes over 130 quilts displayed throughout the museum, between the tractors and amongst farm tools. Some are over 100 years old and others were finished just in time to be displayed. There are no judging or special qualifications to display a quilt here. We love them all! We hope you will take some time to read the stories located near each quilt. The story may include technical information or something about the quilter, maybe you'll even hear a story about an event that occurred while the quilt was being created. If you can't take the time to read the stories at the museum, you can purchase a book in the Museum gift shop containing all the same information. For more information please call (616) 997-8555.Fall: Coopersville
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Come on down to the Coopersville Farm Museum this fall for Line Dancing on Friday nights. This class is great for beginners as well as those who have been dancing for years. Helen Walters will teach a few new dances each week as well as review the dances from previous weeks. Come once or every week. So dust off those cowboy boots and get ready to dance! Classes will not be held on Halloween. Admission will be $3 for members and $5 for all others, and kids will be half price with a paid adult. For more information please contact the Coopersville Farm Museum at (616) 997-8555. Year Round: Coopersville
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Jam Night goes on all year long! Bring your instrument (acoustics only) and perform for the crowd or sit back and listen to the many styles of country, old gospel, bluegrass and folk music. Doors open at 5:00pm and music is from 6:00-9:00pm. Admission is $4.00 per person members and kids under 12 are free. For more information please contact the Coopersville Farm Museum at (616) 997-8555.
To submit information for Historical Happenings:
Mail information to:
or E-mail: hsm@hsmichigan.org or FAX: (517) 324-4370
