At a meeting held Tuesday (May 17th), members of the Constantine Gov. John S. Barry Historical Society voted to have a Civil War reenactment enthusiast do a presentation at the museum at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 21st. It is open to the public.
“We want to promote interest in anything historical,” Barry Society President Kevin Mallo said. “The Civil War buff lives in an 1840′s school house. He shows his gear. It’s pretty detailed.”
“He has a Civil War rifle with a 58 caliber slug, which is big.”
“Every Barry Society meeting will have historical content, hopefully a historical presentation,” Mallo added.
“In September I want to have a whole Civil War reenactment group do a ‘living history’ scene on the museum property. They’ll only need firewood for camp fires out back and straw for tents.”
Gov. John S. Barry Society member Bill McClain gives guest Clare Mallo a tour of the museum following a May 17th meeting. Mallo is the mayor of Cassopolis. The back kitchen of the Barry home is shown.
Plans were finalized for a fundraiser barbecue which will be held on Memorial Day, beginning at 11 a.m. following the parade. The price is $6 for a chicken dinner and $8 for a rib dinner.
A grant was recently received from the Constantine Area Community Foundation. Renovations to the museum front door, side entrances, carriage house and several others in need of repair will begin this summer. The local foundation is affiliated with the Sturgis Area Community Foundation.
Brian Myers of the Constantine Antique Emporium will donate an antique wrought iron bench to sit in front of the Barry home. Kevin Mallo will do refinishing on wooden sections of the bench. Members voted to add a memorial plaque honoring Dr. Marvin Vercler, president of the Barry Society for many years.
As several school children tours of the Barry home are coming up, members voted to add 1800 style hands-on toys to the museum. Possible items include big wooden hoops, sticks with propellers and wooden tops among other things.
Mark Vogue was elected to be a Barry Society liaison with the Constantine Public Schools in an effort to promote interest in local history. Vogue will contact teachers with ideas on projects for children.
Two guests were welcomed, Clare Mallo and John Kinsey. Mallo is the Mayor of Cassopolis and toured the Barry home.
Dues are $10 annually to join the Barry Society. Anyone with an interest in local history is welcome. For information, contact President Kevin Mallo at (269) 506-1575.
Source: Story and photo contributed by Angie Birdsall.
