The exhibit and educational program, “World’s Largest” – The Benton Harbor Fruit Market and Southwest Michigan’s Fruit Belt highlights the rich fruit growing environment of Southwest Michigan and its significant impact on Michigan’s past, present and future. 

The stretch of Berrien County embodies the most productive fruit growing climate in the world.  Although Michigan has been ranked among the nation’s foremost growers of fruit since the mid-nineteenth century, no comprehensive publication, museum exhibition or educational programming has ever been produced on the subject until now.

The “World’s Largest” – The Benton Harbor Fruit Market and Southwest Michigan’s Fruit Belt exhibit explores a range of topics including fruit growing conditions, the Benton Harbor Fruit Market, shipping and processing, allied industries, growers, labor and culture and commemoration.   The exhibit highlights collections of historical artifacts, photographs and documents, most of which were loaned by local farming families and related businesses.

Teacher curriculum guides focusing on finding local history will be made available—free of charge—for teachers to use in their classrooms.  As part of the guides, the student activity worksheets will be translated into Spanish for Latino learners, many of which come from migrant backgrounds.  Guided school tours of the exhibition and educational lending kits will also be available for a small fee. 

The Priscilla U. Byrns Heritage Center is located at 601 Main Street, St. Joseph, Michigan. 

Hours for the exhibition are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 – 4:00 pm
Admission:  Non-members – $5.00
Members – Free
Children 15 and under – Free

For further information on “World’s Largest” – The Benton Harbor Fruit Market and Southwest Michigan’s Fruit Belt contact the The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center at 269-983-1191.  Or visit our online Events Calendar for information on programs and presentations sponsored by the Heritage Center.

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WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY / THE HERITAGE MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER