Edwardsburg Area Historical Museum

09/03/2026

CANNON, CIVIL WAR REENACTORS ON TAP FOR SAUK TRAIL FEST

Those who have never been close to a cannon can see it Sat., Sept. 26, when Darren Bettinger and four members of the Robinson’s Battery 1st Michigan Light Artillery Company C display it at the Sauk Trail Festival.

For the second year, the Edwardsburg Area Historical Museum will host the festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on museum grounds in Edwardsburg. As part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, this year’s festival will cover the years 1775 to 1875, from the American Revolution through the Civil War.

The displayed cannon will be a reproduction Parrott Civil War field rifle. Such muzzle-loading rifled artillery weapons were used extensively during the war between the states. Bettinger and the battery reenactors in period attire will be available to talk with festival-goers and answer questions.

Bettinger, who lives in Cassopolis and is president of the Cass County Historical Society, is a gunner on Gun No. 5 with the battery, of which he has been a member for five years. He has been a reenactor for 15 years.

The all-day festival will feature at least 18 reenactors, speakers, children’s activities, and rides around Pleasant Lake on the Sarrett Nature Center’s Voyageur Canoe.

The event is free of charge, and food trucks will be on site.

08/17/2026

MYERS ADDRESSES SCHLOSSER’S ‘DISASTER’ ON THURSDAY

An officer at Fort St. Joseph was “in over his head,” and Bob Myers will explain it all when he speaks at 7 p.m., Thurs., Aug. 20, at the Edwardsburg Branch of the Cass District Library.

“Disaster at Fort St. Joseph: Pontiac's Rebellion” is the topic of Myers’ presentation, co-sponsored by the Edwardsburg Area Historical Museum and the Uptown Improvement Association in partnership with the library. It is the third in a series of four lectures he is giving locally during the nation’s 250th anniversary year.

Francis Schlosser arrived at Fort St. Joseph in 1761, and, according to Myers, the young ensign lost no time in offending everyone. Myers will explain how Schlosser’s incompetence, inexperience, and arrogance ended in disaster two years later.

For several years, Myers was the Director of Education and History Programming for the Historical Society of Michigan. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from Alma College and Western Michigan University, respectively. He also has authored several books and written for several periodicals.

There is no admission charge.

08/11/2026

Members of the Edwardsburg High School football team and National Honor Society were at the local museum last week helping to prepare for the annual U.S. Heritage Trail Garage Sale. This is one of the museum's largest fundraisers, and students play a big part in unpacking items, erecting tents, and table organization.. The museum board and members are especially grateful for their work, as this event would be nearly impossible without them. Community service at its best! Thank you, students! (Photos by Bonnie Elder).

08/03/2026

IT’S TIME FOR THE US 12 GARAGE SALE

It’s nearly time for the U.S. 12 Garage Sale, Michigan’s longest road event, scheduled for Fri., Aug. 7, through Sun., Aug. 9. However, the Edwardsburg Area Historical Museum opens the sale on Thurs., Aug. 6, on its property between Cass and Lake streets in the middle of the Village of Edwardsburg.

The sale will be manned every day by volunteers with several large tents and thousands of items.

The museum has added a card reader this year so customers can use their credit cards.

08/03/2026

https://www.wvpe.org/people/kent-fulmer

A sincere thank you to Kent Fulmer and the WVPE programming staff for the radio interview about the museum that aired this morning (Monday, April 3) on the station's Morning Edition. The link is below.

For those who haven't visited the museum, it is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays from mid-April through Mid-December.

Kent Fulmer joined WVPE in August of 2020 to take on one of the station's most high profile roles as the local host of Morning Edition. Kent comes to WVPE with more than 20 years experience in radio in the Michiana area. During his career, Kent has had a variety of roles including DJ, reporter and n...

07/21/2026

07/06/2026

MYERS SPEAKS ON MYTHS AND FACTS ON JULY 9

Is it a myth or a fact?

As a historian, Bob Myers knows quite a bit about that.

Myths and tall tales are everywhere but on Thurs., July 9, Myers will ask his Edwardsburg audience which are true and which are false.

The senior advisor of historical programming for the Historical Society of Michigan will look at historical legends when he speaks at the Edwardsburg Branch of the Cass District Library. The lecture is the second in a series of four that he will give this year in celebration of Michigan’s role in the 250th anniversary signing of the Declaration of Independence. The offerings are co-sponsored by the Edwardsburg Area Historical Museum and the Uptown Improvement Association (UIA) in partnership with the library.

A longtime career historian, Myers received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from Alma College and Western Michigan University, respectively. He is semi-retired from the HSM, which he joined in 2017 after several years as the curator of the Berrien County Historian Association.

His presentation is at 7 p.m. There is no admission charge.

07/05/2026

America’s 250th Birthday Bash Postponed

America’s 250th Birthday Bash, scheduled for 1 p.m. today, Sunday, July 5, at the Edwardsburg Area Historical Museum, has been postponed because of the rainy weather.

This celebration has been rescheduled for 7 to 9 p.m., Sat., July 11, with a performance only by the Phat Tuesday Dixieland Band. Refreshments will be available.