The History Center at Courthouse Square in Berrien Springs is kicking off the summer season with lots of activities that began June 4. Admission to each event is free. The History Center is located at 313 N. Cass Street (M-139) in Berrien Springs.

The first activity of the month was a blacksmith demonstration by Phil Potter on June 4 where privileged visitors could see the man in action.

• From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 10, Dave Francis will return for another blacksmith demonstration on site.

• From noon to 4 p.m. June 11, Phil Potter returns for his second blacksmith demonstration.

• At 2 p.m. June 11 Tom Kimmel will present on steam engines.

• At 2 p.m. June 18, visitors can hear about the historic flora and fauna of Berrien County presented by Jonathan Wuepper.

• At 6:30 p.m. June 21, the Wednesday Summer Reading Program will kick off. The program is geared towards families and will be co-hosted by the Berrien Springs Community Library.

• At 6:30 p.m. June 22, the first in the 2017 Thursdays at Courthouse Square will begin. The event is sponsored by Indiana Michigan Power and the Berrien Springs and Eau Claire Rotary.  “A Michigan Polar Bear Confronts the Bolsheviks,” presented by Gordon Olson, features the story of a man from Berrien’s experience in World War I. This program is co-sponsored by the Berrien Springs Library.

• June 22 to 25 the History Center will participate in the village-wide Sidewalk Sale.

• At 2 p.m. June 25, August Zielke will present on antique fire arms dating back to the Civil War.

• At 6:30 p.m. June 29, the 2017 Thursdays at Courthouse Square wil continue. Stephen Smith, an attorney at Foster Swift Collins and Smith and whom sits on the board of the Berrien County Historical Association, will present on the only heavyweight championship ever staged in Berrien County. His presentation is titled “The Battle of Benton Harbor: The Jack Dempsey Fight of 1920.”

For more information about the programs, contact the History Center at (269) 471-1202 or email bcha@berrienhistory.org.