In 1949, Coloma resident and contractor Cecil Potts opened an amusement park and petting zoo that he envisioned would revitalize tourism to the small community around Paw Paw Lake. In its 65 years of operation, millions of people visited Deer Forest in Coloma to pet and feed animals such as deer, llamas, and peacocks. Although the park closed in 2014, the legacy of Deer Forest lives on.

The North Berrien Historical Museum is now featuring a temporary summer exhibition of Deer Forest souvenirs and memories in its Main Gallery. On Tuesday, July 21, Executive Director Peter Cook will present the unique history of this beloved Southwest Michigan attraction.

No RSVP required. The presentation is free and open to the public.