By Staff
The Museum at Southwestern Michigan College is devoting an exhibit case to Valentines during the month of February.
Dozens of Valentines saved over the years by volunteer Iola Holtz will be in the display, as well as a "store-bought" Valentine from 1874 and other historic Valentines from the museum's collection. The exhibit runs through Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Holtz, of Cassopolis, has volunteered at the museum since the 1980s and at the Pioneer Log Cabin Museum in Cassopolis since the 1970s.
Her collection includes three Valentine postcards sent in the early 1900s by friends to her parents, Mollie Hofmeister and Leon Rice. Holtz received Valentines from students while she was a rural school teacher and a sampling of 1950s Valentines given to her son will also be shown.
In addition to the display, museum visitors have the opportunity to make a Valentine, either to keep for themselves or to give to a U.S. military veteran. Any Valentines created for veterans will be mailed to the Veterans Administration Medical Center at Battle Creek on Friday, Feb. 9, for distribution to hospitalized veterans.
Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday.
Contact the museum at (269) 782-1374 for more information.