Library, Museums & Galleries

Just north of the Common and Farmers’ Market is the Buchanan District Library. The Library is known for its wide collection of popular literature as well as a wealth of historical information. They have Wi-Fi too! There’s something for everyone.

The public district library is a source of information and entertainment. In addition to the vast collection of fiction, children’s programs, and computer access for the public, there is a fantastic local history collection.

Buchanan District Library 128 East Front Street Buchanan, MI 49107 Ph. 269/695-3681 Fax. 269/695-0004 www.buchananlibrary.org *Wi-Fi capabilities Hours: M-Th: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fri: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun: Closed
The Pears Mill Museum * P.O. Box 357 Buchanan MI 49107 Located in the Buchanan Common Area (Between Oak St. & Days Ave. behind the Buchanan District Library) 269/695-9758 Visit Pears Mill and learn how flour is made… Owned by the Downtown Development Authority, and operated by the Buchanan Preservation Society, the mill is open Saturdays during May from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Open for Memorial Day 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. New this year, come join us for Regional History Day on Saturday, June 27, 2009 and learn about the history of our region.
The Chapin Mansion 508 E. Main Street Niles, MI 49120 269/683-4700 The Chapin Mansion has been an integral part of the history of the city of Niles – and continues to be – as evident in the fact that it is home to Niles’ City Hall. The hallmarks of the structure can still be seen in the hand-carved woodwork, stained glass and carefully stenciled ceilings. The 13 room mansion now houses the inner workings of the city’s local government while remaining a beautiful and part of its landscape. Just off the mansion is the Fort St. Joseph Museum.
Carnegie Library (Four Flags Area Council on Tourism & Chamber of Commerce) 321 East Main Street Niles, MI 49120 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.fourflagsarea.org This historical structure bearing the Carnegie family name was built in a classical revival style in 1902. It has been registered with the state as an official historic site and now serves as home to the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce and the Four Flags Area Council on Tourism. Beautifully built, the Carnegie Library lives on fostering economic growth within the city of Niles and providing a place where visitors can find all they’ll need to know about the beautiful state of Michigan.
Curious Kids’ Museum 415 Lake Blvd Overlooking Silver Beach St. Joseph, MI 269/983-2543 www.curiouskidsmuseum.org
College Football Hall of Fame 111 S. St. Joseph Street South Bend, IN 46601 Phone: 800-440-FAME This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.collegefootball.org Before they achieved notoriety in national leagues or retired their coaching titles, they were legends within the world of college football. Located in the heart of downtown South Bend, Ind., the College Football Hall of Fame is where athletes and coaches and the best plays of your favorite games live on forever. One of the city’s most honored attractions, the College Football Hall of Fame also serves as a stately and unique place for events, concerts and more.
Ferry Street School 620 Ferry Street Niles, MI 49120 269/683-4702 Inside what is now home to the Ferry Street School Community Resource Center, the sound of footsteps on age-old hardwood floors echo with the unmistakable sound of history. This historic schoolhouse located in Niles still provides educational and cultural activities to area youth and continues to build on a tradition of community outreach.
Fort St. Joseph Museum 508 East Main Street Niles, MI 49120 Phone: 269-683-4702 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.ci.niles.mi.us Don’t let the size of this museum, located just off the historic Chapin Mansion in Niles, fool you. Inside is a treasure trove of the city’s history. One of the most prized collections at the museum, an exhibit of 12 pictographs done by the hand of famed Native American Chief Sitting Bull. Several members of the city’s history, from artists and writers to politicians live on among the collections at the museum and as the Niles’ history continues to be discovered at the archeological Fort St. Joseph dig site the museum continues to embrace it and protect it.
Father Allouez Grave Site East side of Bond Street (just before the boat launch) Niles, MI 49120 The city of Niles has a strong history that goes back hundreds of years. Located just near the boat launch along the St. Joseph River on Bond Street, this historical grave site honors the late Father Allouez, the first Jesuit missionary on record within the Niles area, arriving in 1683.
The History Center at Courthouse Square 313 N. Cass Street P.O. Box 261 Berrien Springs, MI 49104 269/471-1202 www.berrienhistory.org Open throughout the year, the History Center at Courthouse Square brings some of the areas most significant locations back to life. The Berrien County Historical Association maintains the center which includes a sheriff’s residence and jail circa 1870 and a courthouse dating back to 1839. In addition to featuring works by local artisans, the history center also includes a special place for archives, museum and a museum store.
Log Cabin Society of Michigan 3503 Rock Edwards Drive Sodus, MI 49126-8700 269-925-3836 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.qtm.net/logcabincrafts The Log Cabin Society of Michigan is a not-for-profit organization, the members of which are part of a mission to preserve the importance Michigan log cabins. This organization is behind the Michigan Log Cabin Survey and an annual Log Cabin Day Festival.
The Natural History Museum at Andrews University 100 Old US-31 Hwy Berrien Springs MI 49104 269/471-3243 Located in Berrien Springs on the campus of one of the areas most respected educational institutions, Andrews University's Natural History Museum is located in the Science Complex at the college's Berrien Springs campus. This museum is home to over 30,000 marine shells, 1,400 mammals as well as birds and botanical specimens. View the most complete skeleton of a wooly mammoth in Michigan. Hours are Monday–Thursday from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m.– noon.
Newton House Museum Located 7 miles east of Dowagiac on Marcellus Hwy. Dowagiac, MI 49047 Phone: 269-782-3239 Land and home come together to define the Newton House Museum. This two story Quaker home has been restored to exhibit its natural beauty and characteristics of the 19th Century*. Not only home to architectural beauty and significance, the Newton House Museum is also home to black walnut timberland.
Niles Railroad Depot Just off of 5th Street North of Downtown Niles, MI 49120 The steaming locomotive has had an historical impact throughout the city of Niles. But it is the Niles Railroad Depot, which is still a fully functioning Amtrak railroad stop, which has garnered the attention of residents, visitors and even Hollywood scenic spotters. This beautiful Romanesque structure was built in the 1890s, near the turn of the century and continues to be an active backdrop to several community events.
Old Rugged Cross Historic Site Pokagon, MI Phone: 269-683-4540 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.the-oldruggedcross.org The Old Rugged Cross site in Niles has found new life through restoration that was put into effect to highlight this historic spot where Rev. George Bernard presented a hymn of the same name. The site is available for tours.
Pioneer Log Cabin Museum Located on M-60 near Stone Lake. Cassopolis, MI 49031 Phone: 269-445-2965 The idea of old fashioned country heritage lives within the walls of the Pioneer Log Cabin Museum. Peruse handmade quilts and dolls from significant periods of Michigan’s history as well as historic farm equipment.
Siegfried H. Horn Archaeological Museum 9047 Old US 31, Apple Valley Plaza Andrews University Berrien Springs, MI 49104 Phone: 269-471-3273 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.andrews.edu/ARCHAEOLOGY Also located in Berrien Springs at Andrews University, within the Institute of Archaeology, this museum features exhibits of findings from ongoing excavations. These exhibits include artifacts that stretch far beyond Michigan roots to the historical Mesopotamia, Jordan, Egypt and Palestine.
Studebaker National Museum 201 South Chapin Street South Bend, IN 46601 Phone: 574-235-9714 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.studebakermuseum.org The automobile, throughout its lifetime, has driven innovation and industry in America. And its journey is preserved at the Studebaker National Museum, located in South Bend, Ind. Get a look at the carriage that transported President Abraham Lincoln up close. See a variety of military vehicles and Studebaker models and stop at the museum gift shop and take home a souvenir.