By Staff
One of our Leader Publication employees came in this morning all excited about the interesting things he had seen at the Pioneer Log Cabin Museum along Stone Lake in Cassopolis.
He had been fishing and went in for his first look. He was amazed at the firemen's ladder there and all the stuffed birds.
The museum also contains many objects from the village's past, which is also the county seat.
The authentic cabin was made of logs donated by farmers in 1923.
The museum today is in desperate need of more volunteers and donations to keep from losing these treasures.
Each year the museum joins others around the state of Michigan for Log Cabin Day, which is always the last Sunday in June.
Another museum in Cassopolis which instructs about the past is the Red Brick Museum, south of town on M-62.
The one room school was built in 1848 and has actual desks, chalk boards and other objects used in Cass County from the mid-1800s through the 1960s.
The Edwardsburg Historical Collection Museum is another way youngsters and adults can learn about the history of their community.
Inside are many objects actually used by Edwardsburg residents through the years.
Volunteers have donated their time restoring a house donated by the Pabreza family, in honor of their parents Charles and Vera. A second house was added on and a large addition added – all by volunteers and donated materials.
Businesses which once thrived in the town are remembered with signs and items from their stores.
School uniforms and dresses from past queens all have been grouped together at various times for informative displays.
Every few weeks a new display is arranged by volunteers of the museum, so even if you stopped in last year, be sure to drop by again.
Until July 9, local crafters will have a display up, followed by one of local artists on July 13, which runs through Aug. 5.
August's theme is "Strike Up the Band." Aug. 17-19 is also the U.S.-12 annual garage sale.
The annual ice cream social at the museum is on Aug. 19. Coming in September will be "Touchdowns and Tailgates," a tribute to the University of Michigan, Michigan State and the University of Notre Dame.
John Sindelar also opens his Fine Tool Museum up to visitors in Edwardsburg on Section Street. His collection is the largest in the world and definitely worth the time.
Dowagiac has Heddon and Sons, which has kept the fishermen and collectors coming to the community to see old lures and rods.
Also in Dowagiac, the Southwestern Michigan College Museum has wonderful displays.
Niles is blessed with the Fort Saint Joseph Museum which traces the history of the City of Four Flags.
Any of these are an easy drive and won't hurt your gasoline budget this summer.
This is not to say you shouldn't also think about a trip into Chicago to the larger museums. They will give your children memories to last a lifetime.
But this year it seem everyone is watching their budgets extremely close.
Summer should be a time of a different kind of learning that goes on in the classroom.
Instead of sitting in front of a video screen, children need to continue to be stimulated to learn throughout the summer.
Think about planning a trip to one of these museums right in our own backyard, or if you have the time and money, visit the Shedd Aquarium of Field Museum in Chicago.