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Tours & Attractions
What an amazing place! Here, you can ride in a miniature train pulled by a 100 -year-old steam engine. Sail on a replica War of 1812 tall ship. Climb to the top of a lighthouse. Or challenge your teens to laser tag. This page directs you to hours of fun.
Makers Trail
Just follow the Makers Trail. What a welcome you’ll receive at each stop along the way in Berrien County as we pop wine corks, tap beer kegs and whiskey barrels, and pour flights for you and your friends. Drink in our makers’ art and bring home your favorites.
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Southwest Michigan grows a cornucopia of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Explore this section to find nearby farms and markets to gather up your favorite just-picked, flavor-rich foods. Or a myriad of restaurants and sweets shops — many proudly serving locally raised ingredients. There’s a table ready for you.
Outdoor Recreation
Southwest Michigan is a four-season paradise with Lake Michigan and a countryside peppered with scenic rivers, inland lakes and verdant hills.
Creative Connections
Some places naturally inspire us. Southwest Michigan is one of them. The vibrancy and beauty of Lake Michigan, the serenity of our countryside and the rich stories of our past fill this land with creative inspiration. That’s why some of the region’s finest artists, writers, musicians, history-makers and performers call this home.
Natural Route
Take the Natural Route today for remedy and relaxation, and discover our local dispensaries.
Lighthouse
When you walk the Tiscornia Beach shoreline, look over the bluff or simply go for a drive along Lake Michigan in St. Joseph, you can’t miss the two St. Joseph Lighthouses.
Social Districts
Get a taste of several drinks in one place in Southwest Michigan’s social districts.

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Niles History Center

508 E. Main Street
Niles, MI 49120

directions

Phone Icon 269-845-4054

The Niles History Center is the Fort St. Joseph Museum and Chapin Mansion, both located at 508 E. Main Street in beautiful downtown Niles, Michigan. Henry and Ruby Chapin constructed their magnificent home in 1882. Donated to the City of Niles in 1933, it served as City Hall and is now administered by the Niles History Center. The Chapin Mansion serves as one of the nation’s finest examples of the American Aesthetic style.Ornate stained glass windows, beveled mirrors, impressive brass chandeliers, beautiful hand-carved woodwork and nine fireplaceswill transport you back to this ornate period of the 1880s. Tours of the Chapin Mansion are led by trained docents and allow visitors an inside look into this beloved Niles landmark.

The Fort St. Joseph Museum is located in the former carriage house of the Victorian period Chapin Mansion and features exhibits that tell the story of Niles from the prehistoric era through the 1691 founding of Fort St. Joseph to the modern businesses and industrial era. Special artifacts highlighted throughout the exhibits include discoveries made through the Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project, Ice Age fossils, pictographs drawn by Chief Sitting Bull, railroad memorabilia and more! Interactive elements offer an engaging learning environment for children. The Fort St. Joseph Museum also offers educational programs for all ages, including field trips, group tours, family programs, walking tours of the city’s downtown historic district, plus more!

Please read below for handicap accessible information:

Fort St. Joseph Museum: The Fort St. Joseph features exhibits located on two levels. Because the Museum is housed in a historic building built in 1882, the second floor gallery space is not fully accessible to all persons with disabilities. Digital representations of these exhibits are available.

 

Chapin Mansion: The Chapin Mansion is a multi-story building constructed in 1882, and as a result is not fully accessible to all persons with disabilities. Digital representations of these non-accessible floors are available.

Only service animals are allowed in the museums.

No Upcoming Events Published By Niles History Center

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