Vicksburg Historical Society

Holidays with the Vicksburg Historical Society
2025-12-20 11:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-27 11:00 - 16:00 UTC | Vicksburg Historic Village, 300 N. Richardson, Vicksburg, MI, 49097, United States
Join us Saturday, December 6, 13, 20, and 27, 11am-4pm for activities for all ages:

Check out our model train layout where volunteers will operate the train, chat about the layout, and even teach you to operate the controls!
Make a beaded decoration/ornament or color a picture to take home after visiting the model train!
Take a stroll or drive through Christmas Card Lane.

We can’t wait to see you!

Ice’BURG’ Festival
2026-02-28 12:00 - 17:00
Join us for History on Ice: A Cool Archaeology Experiment! Step into the role of an archaeologist as you use tools to dig into real ice blocks with hidden objects frozen inside. Come see what you’ll discover!
We will be located on West Prairie Street, between Gilbert & Ivy and Getty’s Barbershop.

Vicksburg Historical Society Board Meeting
2026-03-11 18:15 - 19:30, 2026-04-08 18:15 - 19:30, 2026-05-13 18:15 - 19:30, 2026-06-10 18:15 - 19:30
Vicksburg Historical Society Board meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month at 6:15pm at the Depot Museum. Meetings are open to the public.

Annual Membership Meeting
2026-04-18 10:30 | Taylor Room, Vicksburg United Methodist Church, 217 S. Main Street, Vicksburg, MI, 49097, United States
Enjoy refreshments, hear updates about the Vicksburg Historical Society from board members. Then sit back and join in conversation during a presentation of “The History of Vicksburg Community Schools” by Leah Milowe.
Enter your chance to win door prizes by submitting your RSVP here: https://forms.gle/Ssh1xohAtHd1qkwr8

Pulp & Press Lit Arts Festival
2026-04-25 11:00 - 17:00 | Vicksburg Historic Village, 300 N. Richardson, Vicksburg, MI, 49097, United States
Pulp & Press Lit Arts Festival
Host Site and Printing Press Demonstrations
A two-day celebration of the literary arts for all ages. The Vicksburg Historic Village and Depot Museum will be hosting authors and performing printing press demonstrations in the Newspaper Office and Print Shop throughout the day.

Roots & Branches
2026-04-28 18:30 - 20:30 | Vicksburg Depot Museum, 300 N. Richardson, Vicksburg, MI, 49097, United States
Join us for our genealogy series “Roots & Branches” this spring and summer. Each month and local or state organization will share what resources they offer for family researchers.
To kickoff, on April 28 we will hear from Leah Milowe sharing what treasures can be found in the VHS archives.
Attendees are encouraged to stick around after the presentation to work on research and seek assistance from the VHS staff and other attendees. Computers are limited, so please bring a laptop if able.

RSVP the following ways:
Online: https://forms.gle/emnfThFc1dLZevGA7
Call us at (269) 649-1733 or send an email to info@vicksburghistory.org

National Train Day
2026-05-09 13:00 - 16:00 | Vicksburg Depot Museum, 300 N. Richardson, Vicksburg, MI, 49097, United States
Celebrate the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 with a visit to the Depot Museum!
On Saturday, May 9 the Depot Museum will be open 11am-5pm. Learn about local railroad history, check out the caboose and box car, view trains from the Station Master’s Office (the BEST place to watch a train go by).
From 1pm-4pm, enjoy a train craft, demonstrations, and more! Check back for more details.

Roots & Branches
2026-05-26 18:30 - 20:30 | Vicksburg Depot Museum, 300 N. Richardson, Vicksburg, MI, 49097, United States
Join us for our genealogy series “Roots & Branches” this spring and summer. Each month and local or state organization will share what resources they offer for family researchers.
Pam Cassino of the Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society will be on hand May 26 to share information about their resources, assistance, and events.
Attendees are encouraged to stick around after the presentation to work on research and seek assistance from the VHS staff and other attendees. Computers are limited, so please bring a laptop if able.
RSVP the following ways:
Online: https://forms.gle/Yqtjk8Ne1XqkXkbPA
Call us at (269) 649-1733 or send an email to info@vicksburghistory.org

Vicksburg Old Car Festival
2026-06-13 09:00 - 16:00

Speaker Series: Blast from the Past
2026-06-14 14:00 - 16:00 | Township Hall, Vicksburg Historic Village
June 14, 2026, Steve Ellis joins the Speaker Series to present “Blast from the Past: A pictorial journey down memory lane!”. Take a look back at long gone places in the Portage and Kalamazoo areas.
This event is free and open to the public and will take place in the Historic Village Township Hall. A suggested donation of $5 is welcome!

Sharing the Spirit of America
2026-07-08 17:45 - 19:00 | TBD
On July 8, celebrate the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence right here in Vicksburg. We will be joining this nationwide event as voices rise in every state and territory to perform a simultaneous reading of the Declaration at 6pm.

Speaker Series: Michigan Railroads & Agriculture
2026-07-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Township Hall, Vicksburg Historic Village
Mark Worrall returns to the 2026 Speaker Series to present “Michigan Railroads & Agriculture”.
Join us Sunday, July 19 at 2pm in Township Hall in Vicksburg Historic Village.

Roots & Branches
2026-07-28 18:30 - 20:30 | Vicksburg Depot Museum, 300 N. Richardson, Vicksburg, MI, 49097, United States
Roots & Branches Genealogy Sessions welcomes family researchers of all levels to drop in and learn about resources available to them, research assistance, and to create a community atmosphere with other researchers.
Each session begins with a short presentation from a local organization to share resources and events.
If you plan to ask for assistance or work on your family history while at the events, please bring a laptop if possible as computers are limited.
Adam Oster, the Community Engagement Librarian at the Library of Michigan, will teach the basics of researching your family’s history through the collections of the Library of Michigan. This includes online and digital resources available with Library of Michigan Library Card (cards are free to Michigan residents).
RSVP here: https://forms.gle/J23SziQp1rZxvvUZ8

Speaker Series: SW Michigan and the WWI Polar Bear Expedition
2026-08-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Township Hall, Vicksburg Historic Village
The 2026 Speaker Series is excited to host Nancy Brock and her presentation “Southwest Michigan and the WWI Polar Bear Expedition”.
Late in World War I the United States sent more than 5,000 soldiers to Archangel in northern Russia at the request of the British allies. They believed their mission was to guard supplies. The mission changed. What happened, and who was there from Vicksburg and the surrounding area?
Join us at 2pm on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at the Vicksburg Historic Village Township Hall.
This event is free and open to the public. A suggested donation of $5 is welcomed!
