Upcoming Events

All events planned by the Van Buren County Historical Society are free to the public  unless noted otherwise. Locations vary so be sure to make note of where the event is being held.

Freewill donations are always appreciated.

 Guest Speakers ---- Plans are being made to have guest speakers throughout this summer and fall.   Check back frequently for more information on the speakers and topics presented.

WW1 Polar Bear Expedition    DUE TO ILLNESS THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED---- March 22, 2006 at 2:00pm at the Lawrence Twp Hall located at 411 N. Paw Paw St. Lawrence MI.   Presented by historian Nancy Brock.   The Polar Bear Expedition was a 1918-1919 U.S. military intervention in Northern Russia, where 5,000 soldiers (mostly Michigan based 339th Infantry) fought Bolshevik forces near Archangel.   Sent by President Wilson to secure Allied war supplies and aid anti-communist forces, the troops battled extreme, sub-zero conditions and endured high casualties before withdrawing in July 1919, months after World War 1 ended.

Paranormal Happenings at the Museum ---- April 19, 2026 at 2:00pm at the Lawrence Twp Hall located at 411 N. Paw Paw St. Lawrence, Mi.   Presented by Ghost Expert Tad Moody who will be discussing happenings that have occurred during the Museums many paranormal tours.

Yard and Craft Sale ---- April 25, 2026 from 9:00am to 3:00pm at the Museum located at 58471 Red Arrow Hwy, Hartford, Mi.   Booth space is $20 for a 10x10 area.   No clothes, alcohol, drugs or drug paraphernalia or pornography.   Call 269-500-1450 to reserve your space.

Rain date will be May 2nd.

Local History of Van Buren County ---- June 28, 2026 at 2:00pm at the Museum located at 58471 Red Arrow Hwy, Hartford, MI.   Museum historian Patience DeRoo will be discussing Van Buren County history focusing on our local area.          

Classic Car, Motorcycle and Tractor Show ---- July 12, 2026 from 1:00-5:00pm  at the Museum at 58471 Red Arrow Hwy. Hartford MI. Check back for more information about activities going on during this event.   Admission for the public is free but there is a

Vintage vehicle entry fee of $10.

Murder Mystery at the Museum ---- August 2, 2026 at 2:00pm at the Museum located at 58471 Red Arrow Hwy. Hartford MI.   This has been a very popular event for the last several years so be sure to come to the Museum to interview the suspects and gather clues to try to solve who committed the crime.   A synopsis of the crime will be handed out to give you some clues as to who may be a suspect and museum volunteers will be dressed in period costumes portraying various individuals involved in the murder waiting to be interviewed by you.

Other events being planned but not yet finalized are:

Museum History Day on August 16, 2026

Soup Supper on October 9, 2026

Paranormal Museum Tours

Be sure to check back often for event updates!

Cookbooks are available!   The Van Buren County Historical Society has published their cookbook filled with

     over 140 favorite recipes from our members and staff, including information about the recipes and a bit of

history of where the recipes came from.   They will be available for purchase at our soup supper in October, or you can pick one up at the Museum during its regular hours of 12pm - 5pm  Wed, Fri & Sat.

Their cost is $20 and are also available for order by contacting us through the "Contact Us" tab on this website.   Be sure to include your name, email address, phone # and that you would like a copy of the cook book, and then click submit.