North Berrien Historical Museum

The mission of the North Berrien Historical Society is to preserve and distribute information regarding the history of the North Berrien County. Our staff is available by appointment to pull information from the archives. Research or reproduction fees may apply.

Archival Collections:                                   
Watervliet Paper Mill Adolph Hann                                 
North Berrien Schools                                
Watervliet Record newspaper                      
Self Culture Club                                       
40 Year Club                                              
Literary Guild
Paw Paw Lake Resorts
Coloma Theatre                                                                                                                         Monte Package Co.
North Berrien Historical Society World War II

Historic copies of the Coloma Courier and Watervliet Record newspapers are searchable online courtesy of the Coloma Public Library, the Watervliet District Library, and the Tri-City Record. Other newspapers relevant to the North Berrien area are available at the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Public Libraries. 

The North Berrien Historical Society does not retain government or genealogical records. For county records, please contact the Berrien County Historical Association. For genealogical resources in Southwest Michigan, please contact the Van Buren Regional Genealogical Society in Hartford, MI. The State of Michigan Archives for West Michigan is located at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI.

Collections on Display: Please visit to explore Southwest Michigan history at our museum. Over 10,000 years of human history are displayed at the museum, from archaeology to modern technology. The main gallery features Native Americans, lake resorts, rural schools, Lake Michigan shipwrecks, daily life, and local businesses. The Nichols-Beverly Barn holds lumbering tools, farm equipment, and transportation displays. Highlights include a 1934 Parrett Tractor, a 1924 Dodge, and a fruit grading machine—all used by local fruit farmers. Our Print Shop contains the original newspaper Linotype and other printing artifacts from the Watervliet Record. The Carter House (ca. 1860) tells the story of the museum property and holds events throughout the year. Temporary and traveling exhibits also feature a range of topics in local and national history.