By Staff
BERRIEN SPRINGS – Alexander Gates, director of the North Berrien Historical Museum in Coloma, will present a program entitled "Commodore Bainbridge and the Barbary Pirates" at The History Center at Courthouse Square in Berrien Springs on Thursday, July 17, at 6:30 p.m.
The program is part of the History Center's "Thursdays at the Museum" program series. Admission is free.
The program studies the career of William Bainbridge, for whom Bainbridge Township is named. Commodore Bainbridge had a long and colorful career in the United States Navy, and commanded the warships George Washington, Essex and Philadelphia in the Mediterranean Sea. When in command of the Philadelphia during the first war with the Barbary states in 1803, Bainbridge and all his crew were captured when the ship ran aground. During the war of 1812, he commanded the USS Constitution when she defeated the British frigate Java. Bainbridge went on to a long and distinguished career with the Navy.
For more information call (269) 471-1202.