Our Story
Dr. Prosper Bernard arrived in Michigan from Minnesota in the 1920s, bringing with him a passion for medicine and community. After earning his medical doctorate, he opened a practice in Delton in 1928. Less than a decade later, in 1937, he built a small hospital on the north bank of Upper Crooked Lake to better serve the growing needs of Delton, Prairieville, and beyond. More than 400 babies were born in this lakeside hospital, a testament to his dedication.​
Following his military service in World War II, Dr. Bernard returned home and trained as a radiologist—an emerging field at the time. His expertise in x-ray technology placed him in high demand.
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After retiring from medicine, Dr. Bernard turned his attention to another calling: preserving the region’s rich history. With the support of local residents, he founded the Bernard Historical Society and Museum in 1962. He generously donated both his land and the original hospital building to house the growing collection.
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Today, the museum spans eight buildings and boasts more than 40,000 artifacts—ranging from prehistoric tools and Native American relics to pioneer-era objects and Dr. Bernard’s own medical instruments, now considered vintage.
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Whether you're a history enthusiast, curious traveler, educator, or family looking for a meaningful outing, the Bernard Museum invites you to step into the stories that shaped Barry County—and perhaps discover a few surprises along the way.
Native American History
Nawquageezhig—better known to settlers as Chief Noonday—was a respected leader of the Potawatomi (Bodéwadmi) people. A fierce advocate for his community, he fought alongside Shawnee Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812 in defense of Native lands.
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Following the war, Chief Noonday led his people to the region now known as Yankee Springs. Later in life, after converting to Christianity, he relocated to the Prairieville area. There, he lived and worked with Reverend Leonard Slater at a mission and school for Native Americans, located near what is now the intersection of Cressey and Lockshore roads.
Chief Noonday, along with many members of his tribe, was laid to rest on the grounds of the former mission in the mid-1800s—a site that remains a quiet testament to the lives and legacies of the area's first people.
