The photos and artifacts that help tell the history (thus far) of the Grand Old City will be on display beginning this week, as the Dowagiac Area History Museum opens its new permanent exhibit Monday.

The community is invited to celebrate the opening of the exhibit, entitled “Industry, Arts, Education and Leisure: A Dowagiac Story,” at 6 p.m. today at the museum, located on Railroad Street downtown. Following brief remarks at 6:15, visitors will be able to see all the items on display and enjoy some light refreshments.

The exhibit tells the story of the City of Dowagiac, from its founding in 1848 to recent times. Each display focuses on a different theme pertaining to the city, from chronicling the history of local business institutions like Judd Lumber and Wolverine Mutual Insurance to showing off the lifestyles of people who immigrated to Dowagiac. Many of the artifacts on display are one-of-a-kind, and have never been viewable by the public.

The exhibit is located on the museum’s recently renovated second floor, which will house both the Dowagiac exhibit and space for temporary ones, with the first one expected to move in February. They will join the exhibits located on the museum’s first floor and in the basement.

The opening closes another chapter in the life of the Dowagiac Area History Museum, which relocated from the campus of Southwestern Michigan College to downtown in 2013. Director Steve Arseneau has been looking to complete the second-floor of the former Behnke Paint Store since the opening of its new home — and thanks to the generous donations from the community and additional funding by the city, him and his staff of volunteers were able to make that happen.

If nothing else, this accomplishment is worth celebrating. The continual growth of Dowagiac’s museum is a great sight to witness, as in a very short amount of time the building has become a valuable member of the downtown business community and source of pride for the city and its residents.

However, Monday’s opening is also an occasion for us to give thanks and show our appreciation for the work and dedication Arseneau and museum volunteers have poured into the institution for years, as well as for the residents who put their money where their mouth was and contributed to the building’s future.

With such great stewards and generous patrons supporting them, we feel the future of our past remains secure and bright.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.