To celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Edwardsburg Area Historical Museum’s speaker series will focus on Michigan’s role in the nation’s history.

The Uptown Improvement Association (UIA) will join the museum in co-sponsoring a series of four lectures by Bob Myers, the former director of education and historical programming for the Historical Society of Michigan in Lansing. The lectures will be held in the Community Room of the new Edwardsburg Branch of the Cass District Library. The library is partnering with the museum and the UIA for the series. All lectures begin at 7 p.m. There is no admission charge.

Myers is semi-retired as the senior advisor for history programming. He joined the HSM in 2017. Previously, he was the longtime curator for the Berrien County Historical Association in Berrien Springs. An author of several books, he has penned numerous articles for the Michigan History Magazine, the Chronicle, and the Michigan Historical Review. Many area residents have traveled with Myers as he continues to lead historical bus tours around the country.

A graduate of Alma College with a Bachelor of Arts in History, Myers has a Master of Arts in History from Western Michigan University.

The lectures are:

Thurs., June 18: “Lost on Lake Michigan: The Wreck of the Chicora.”

The new steamer, Chicora of St. Joseph, had already moored for the winter in Jan. 1895. Then its owners were asked by the Big Four Railroad to send the steamer to Milwaukee on a final voyage. It was a fateful decision.

Thurs., July 9: “Myths Busted: History Myths or Facts.”
Myths and tall tales are everywhere. But Myers asks which are true and which are false. He looks at historical legends to see what myths are known or only thought to be true.

Thurs., Aug. 20: “Disaster at Fort St. Joseph: Pontiac’s Rebellion.”

In 1761, a young, inexperienced ensign from the 60^th Regiment arrived at Fort St. Joseph in command of its small British garrison. Francis Schlosser insulted people from the time he set foot in the door, and his actions ended disastrously.

Thurs., Oct. 15: “‘The Worst Colonel I Ever Saw’: Francis Quinn and the Battle of Shiloh.”

Col. Francis Quinn of Niles led the 12^th Michigan Infantry into action in the Battle of Shiloh. Michigan Gov. Austin Blair said he was “The worst colonel I ever saw.” Join Myers as he follows Quinn and the command through one of the Civil War’s deadliest battles.