Variety will reign in July at the Edwardsburg Area Historical Museum with metal detecting, Sauk Trail history, and music on the museum’s back deck.

A badge from the 1894 Columbian Exposition (The Chicago World’s Fair), a 1925 dance card from the University of Illinois Military Ball, a running board from a 1909 Model T, printing plates from the Edwardsburg Argus, and a 1935 half dime. Neil Hassinger will address all of these, discovered while metal detecting.

Hassinger, a Niles native who, with his wife, Kathleen, has lived in Edwardsburg for 38 years, will speak on “What’s Underfoot in Edwardsburg” at 7 p.m., Thurs., July 17.

It is just one of the things Hassinger has done after retiring from a business he owned. A 1977 graduate of Niles High School, he attended Southwestern Michigan College. In addition to metal detecting, he is involved with the archaeological digs conducted each summer by Western Michigan University at the Fort St. Joseph site along the St. Joseph River in Niles. He also serves as a museum volunteer and actively participates in reenactments.

On July 22, the display, “Sauk Trail: Echoes of Our Past,” will open. The exhibit will feature artifacts on loan from the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi, which will curate the showcase. Also included are grinding wheels, stones, woodworking tools, and old axes that were used when Edwardsburg was settled. The display will be featured during the Sauk Trail Festival on September 27.

The Relics band will perform at the museum at 7 p.m., Sat., July 26, on the museum’s back deck. Classic rock and pop music will be selections from the group’s repertoire.

Admission to all three events is free.