The Region of Three Oaks Museum

06/10/2026

A tip of the cap from EK Warren, courtesy of an AI program we're experimenting with. EK's face and the storefronts are all generated from legit photos of Three Oaks in the 1870s.

06/10/2026

An AI experiment-- using some of the museum's photos of EK Warren and Three Oaks, here's 5 seconds of Warren walking down Elm Street. A little wonky (no one tips their hat all the time and the sign on the left at the end is gibberish), but interesting to look at.
Speaking of moving pictures, don't forget about the screening, this Saturday, of "Frontier to Freedom", a great documentary about Michigan before it became the 26th state. Presented at the Vickers Theatre at 1 PM on 6/13 as part of the celebration of America 250. Tickets available at https://vickerstheatre.com/film/frontier-to-freedom/

06/10/2026

About 1100 miles west of Michiana sits the Warren Ranch. where descendants of EK Warren of Three Oaks raise and train dozens of horses.These photos, courtesy of Three Oaks native Art Klute. He and wife Anne went out to visit Art's old Elm Street pal Dave Warren and his wife Carol. Dave (EK's great-grandson) has a significant "Warren Wall" in his home, with lots of photos and documents about his illustrious forebears.
The museum will be open 12-5 this upcoming Flag Day weekend. Stop by and see our displays about EK Warren and his Featherbone factory, the economic heart of the area for decades.

06/09/2026

Just donated to the museum-- a barrel the donor tells us was used to store lard back when the Warren family raised hogs at their giant Oak Meadow Farm.

06/07/2026

Our volunteer docent Jonathan Wuepper is at the front desk and ready for visitors. Stop by— the museum is open 12-5 today.

06/06/2026

Back in the 1940s, Driers Market was flanked by two groceries-- the Red & White, and the Royal Blue. Red & White & Blue?
One of the museum's new exhibits for this year is about grocery stores of the past. Pretty much every village had at least one-- no driving to the superstore back then.
We're open 12-5 this weekend-- come visit!

06/05/2026

1908 photo of Irving and Esther (Ware) Paddock sitting on their front porch in New Buffalo Township, 4 miles south of Three Oaks. Capt. Paddock (Company F, 25th Mich Infantry) had been wounded twice during the Civil War, but recovered and farmed 100 acres midway between New Buffalo & Three Oaks until his death in 1913.
Museum is open today and through the weekend, 12-5. Come on by-- stay out of the rain!

06/03/2026

In just 10 days, join us for a film that celebrates Michigan just as America celebrates its 250th birthday. "Frontier to Freedom" gives you a window into the human drama that led to Michigan becoming the 26th state, and filmmaker Keith Patterson will be at the Vickers Theatre to answer audience questions.
This special screening happens at 3 PM on the Saturday of Flag Day weekend-- June 13.
Tickets available at vickerstheatre.com.

The origin story of Michigan to celebrate the United States Semiqun...

05/31/2026

On Flag Day Weekend, our area gets to celebrate America 250. The museum is sponsoring a showing of the documentary "Frontier to Freedom", a film that lays out what was happening in this state in the period leading up to the American Revolution. There was a lot-- Michigan history didn't start with statehood in 1837.
Filmmaker Keith Patterson will be on hand for audience Q & A at the Vickers Theatre in Three Oaks-- Saturday, June 13 at 3 PM. Tickets available at vickertheatre.com.

05/30/2026

In the 1940s and 50s, the Playdium in Union Pier was an entertainment center for the teenage crowd. It offered shuffleboard, horseshoes, ping pong tables, and an arcade. Check out the "Coka-Cabana" menu, which featured such items as "Torrid Canines" (hot dogs) and the "Ulcer Special". Various soda fountain treats were named after cocktails.
Our museum is open this weekend, 12-5 PM. Stop by-- we don't serve Torrid Canines, but we offer a heaping helping of history!