DOWAGIAC — Don Lyons, curator of the Heddon Museum, will present “The Heddons and Their Bait” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 1 as part of the spring lecture series at the Dowagiac Area History Museum. The program will explore the Heddon family and the famous baits that were a part of every respectable tackle box for generations.

Legend claims that James Heddon “invented” the artificial fishing lure while whittling on the Mill Pond outside Dowagiac around the turn of the century.

Whether the story is true or not, it is undeniable that James Heddon and Sons went on to become one of the most recognizable tackle manufacturers in history, according to museum director Steve Arseneau.

“Heddon was a huge part of Dowagiac’s industrial history and played a major role in the development of the artificial fishing lure,” Arseneau said.

For several decades, Heddon was the largest manufacturer of fishing tackle in the world.

Don and Joan Lyons own and curate the Heddon Museum in the former Heddon factory on West Street in Dowagiac. The museum features exhibits showcasing the products of the company, including at least one sample of every lure manufactured in Dowagiac. Don Lyons is the author of the book chronicling this history, “The Heddons and Their Bait.” The book will be available for sale at the event with a book signing by the author following the program.

Arseneau will close out the series on June 5 with “From Trade Cards to Doe-Wah-Jack: A History of Round Oak Stove Advertising.”

The program is free to museum members and $5 for non-members. Children under 18 are admitted free. Membership will be available at the museum. The museum is at the corner of Division and West Railroad streets. For more information, call the museum at (269) 783-2560 or visit dowagiacmuseum.info.