Get Involved Today!

The Berrien County Historical Association is tasked with preserving hundreds of thousands of stories across two hundred years.  Community support is paramount to this work and there are various ways the public can assist our staff in meeting our mission.  Visit each of the links to the right to see what best fits your schedule.

 

Groups (youth, corporate, community, etc.) seeking large-scale volunteer projects are welcomed to join us!  Whether you have your own idea or are interested in one of ours, there is room for everyone!  Please contact John at jmoga@berrienhistory.org to learn more.

 

Interest in donating financially to the museum?  Visit here!

Becoming a BCHA Member

Memberships are a great way to take your love of history and museums to the next level by becoming a Very Important Museum Person – a VIMP.  Your membership gains you access to exclusive perks, programs, and more not available to regular visitor!  And you can achieve this for as little as $20.00 a year!   New members start your journey here and if you’re renewing for another year, visit here.

Membership Levels

All memberships are for one year from time of registration and can be set to auto-renew so you never miss your renewal date.  Upon joining or renewing, you’ll receive via mail your membership card for the year.  The card also has your discount code for program and event registration.

  • $20.00 – Individual Level
    • 1 person
  • $30.00 – Family Level
    • Up to 4 people, immediate family only
  • $40.00 – Contributing Level or NPO Level
    • Up to 2 people
    • Up to 5 employees
  • $50.00 – Sustaining Level
    • Up to 2 people
  • $100.00 – Patron Level
    • Up to 3 people
  • $500.00 – Benefactor Level
    • Up to 4 people

All levels receive the following perks

  • Free admission to the museum
  • Free or reduced admission to programs and events
  • Monthly digital member newsletter The Docket
  • Member-only emails and announcements
  • Member-only events and programs
  • Rental discounts
  • 15% discount for On the Docket Books and Gifts (stackable with other discounts)
  • Free access to the History Hounds online lectures via the Historical Society of Michigan

Perks for Sustaining Level and higher

  • Guest Perks*
    • Sustaining – 1 person
    • Patron –  3 people
    • Benefactor – 5 people
  • Evening with Director in Q2 (all three levels)
  • Complimentary booth at Pickle Festival (Patron & Benefactor)
  • Behind-the-scenes tour (Patron & Benefactor)
  • Holiday shopping event (Patron & Benefactor)
  • Three (3) complimentary individual memberships (Benefactor only)

*Guest perks are limited to gift shop discounts, general admission, member-only events, and rentals.

Volunteering at the BCHA

The BCHA provides both behind-the-scenes and front-facing volunteer opportunities throughout the year, which means you can find the perfect project to fit your interests and personality!  All volunteers receive  a gift shop discount and those who commit to six (6) or more hours per month receive a complementary one year individual membership.  To begin your volunteer journey, fill out this application.

Current & On-going Volunteer Needs
  • Board of Directors
  • Collections and archives
    • PastPerfect updates
    • Review & assessment
    • Rehousing & storage
    • Accessioning & deaccessioning
  • Research Library
    • Cross-reference
    • PastPerfect updates
    • Re-organization
  • Programming & large events
    • Kindle Your Christmas Spirit
    • Pickle Fesival
    • St. Joseph Mock Trials (x2)
    • Berrien County Youth Fair
    • Soups and Spirits
  • Operations
    • Front Desk attendee
    • Holiday decorating
  •  Grounds
    • Heritage Garden 
    • Planters

Working & Interning at the BCHA

At this time, the BCHA does not have any employment openings.  Please return for future openings!

The BCHA provides opportunities for college and high school students to complete internships and externships.  Because these are not paid, we will only accept school-year applications from students attending local institutions: Southwestern Michigan College, Lake Michigan College, Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana University – South Bend, University of Notre Dame, and Andrews University.  Students living in Berrien County but attending an out-of-area university or college can apply for summer positions.

 

As history is a holistic field, there is room for internships from many fields beyond just history.  From accounting to writing, there is a place for everyone here.  To begin the process, fill out this application.

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