Dive Deeper into the Story!

The History Center at Courthouse Square is a self-guided museum, but tours around the property with our knowledgeable staff are available to groups of 5 or more people.  These tours will take guests through all four public buildings and will dive deeper into the story.

 

For groups needing ADA accessibility, there are limitations to certain areas, such as the courtroom, due to the historic nature of the buildings.  Please contact us to see if your group can be accommodated.

 

Adult Group Tours

Youth Group Tours

Youth Field Trips & Rent-a-Historian

All school groups must register at least one week prior to their desired date to ensure enough staff is available to provide tours.  Registration is now digital and you can access the form here.  Payment can be rendered ahead of the tour or day-of.  Checks should be made payable to the Berrien County Historical Association.

Field-Trip Only

$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.

 

Current activities to choose from:

  • Salty or Sweet [pioneer history]
  • Send a Tweet [natural history]
  • Reaping Rewards [agricultural history]
  • Two-stepping! [music history]

These activities are also available for single-class Rent-a-Historian for an additional fee of $3.00 per student.  These activities are current as of October 1, 2023.

$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.

The BCHA makes the museum and/or its grounds, especially the courthouse, free to school (K-12 & collegiate) and home school groups throughout the school year.  Your class may be eligible to use the museum for free during the week if it meets one or more of the following conditions:

  • A class or group-wide project (i.e. mock trial, class read-a-long, etc.)
  • Student club or activity (i.e. theater company, speech team, etc.)
  • Workshops for students K-12 held in conjunction with area schools

Anything held after hours, on the weekend, or not directly connected to area schools or home-school groups may be subjected to rental fees.  You can find more information here.  If you are unsure if your activity is eligible for free use of the museum, please contact us!

Adult Tours & Travelling Lectures

All group tours must register at least one week prior to their desired date to ensure staff is available to provide tours.  Registration is now digital and you can access the form here.  Payment can be rendered ahead of the tour or day-of.  Checks should be made payable to the Berrien County Historical Association.  

 

Groups interested in visiting the museum but do not want or need a guided tour are welcomed!  General admission fees apply to all visitors and groups are ask to notify the BCHA ahead of time to ensure our staff is prepared to serve your group’s needs!

Adult Guided Tours

$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.  Bus parking is available, but contact the BCHA if you are bringing more than one full-sized bus.

 

For an additional $1.00 per person, you can add a talk to your tour!  See our travelling lecture option for available topics or call us for more information about specialty topics that may be available.

$75.00 per talk*

 

The BCHA offers eight 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 to 1 hour 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
  • Glass Ceilings: Women’s Political Firsts in Berrien County

Specialty talks may be available with notice and with an additional fee.  Any previously mounted exhibit can be converted into a lecture with a minimum three week notice and at no extra charge.  See our Calendar of Events page for previous exhibits.

 

*Groups outside of Berrien county will subjected to a $20 mileage fee

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