Volume 34, number 2
Rapids Historical Society
October 2012
Grand River Times The Newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society
Inside this issue: Cover Story: October program: Ethnic Surprises Letter from our President, page 2 The “Rapids” drink, Lost and Find, page 3 Women’s Hall of Fame, historygrandrapids.org pages 4-5 Great Lakes History Conf; Photo Sleuth, page 6 Happening in History, page 7
Ethnic Surprises: The Early History of Chinese and Japanese Grand Rapids October 11, 2012, 7:00 p.m. Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum Presented by Diana Barrett, Grand Rapids Historical Commission “Chop Sooy and Suds” reads a 1902 headline attesting to the long history of Asians in Grand Rapids, but Chinese laundrymen had already been here for thirty years. By 1914 Stickley Brothers had recruited a Japanese furniture decorator to their factory. Front and center in a 1929 photograph taken at the Clinic for Infant Feeding, we see his wife and two sons, testifying to the family's sustained presence here. The story of Asians in early Grand Rapids includes successes (wealthy entrepreneur Chan Hoy), surprises (the first
Chinese granted U.S. citizenship got it here), and disappointments (no Chinese could attain “full” citizenship then, and Chan Hoy was refused re-entry after a business trip abroad). The experiences of early Asian immigrants will be set into the context of laws targeting them specifically, answer some questions (why so many laundries and so few women), and raise many more issues about the lives of Asian immigrants introduced into a booming Midwestern city 140 years ago.
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Next Program: The Walls of Marywood Tell the Story, by Sister Rose Marie Martin, Archives Director, Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids. Save the date: Thursday, November 8, 2012, 7 p.m., at the Dominican Center at Marywood.
Above: The two small Japanese-American boys with their mother in the center of the photo are Robert and James Seino Jr., the children of James and Karou Seino. They will be featured in Diana’s talk.
Above: Wong Chin Foo, in Grand Rapids in April of 1874. After a fight he finally received his citizenship papers here, little good it ever did him.
All images, Coll. 141-10-17, Grand Rapids Historical Society Records Collection. Reproduction and copyright regarding these images is available from Grand Rapids History & Special Collections, Archives, Grand Rapids Public Library, Grand Rapids, MI. Grand River Times
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Dear GRHS Members,
The Grand River Times is the newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society, published six times annually. Established in 1894, the Grand Rapids Historical Society is dedicated to exploring the history of West Michigan; to discover its romance and tragedy, its heroes and scoundrels, its leaders and its ordinary citizens. The Society collects and preserves our heritage, passing it on to new generations through books, lectures, and education projects. Executive Committee: Gina Bivins, president Open, vice-president John Gelderloos, treasurer Board members: Alan Bennett Charles Bocskey Matthew Daley Thomas Dilley W.D. Frankforter, emeritus Tim Gleisner Marilyn Hamill Sharon Hanks Chris Kaupa Les Morant Gordon Olson, emeritus Nan Schichtel Wilhelm Seeger Jeff Sytsma John Morrison, editor
Grand Rapids Historical Society c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Web site: www.grhistory.org Email: grhs.local@gmail.com
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Our September programs in Oakhill Cemetery were a big hit. There were approximately 400 people there on Saturday and another 170 on Sunday. A huge thank you must go to Tom Dilley for a superb job. His knowledge about monuments is monumental, and the stories about the people most interesting. Thank you to the board members who were able to help. The microphone borrowed from the Library and headset and tri-pod loaned by John Gelderloos worked well. We will have to see what Tom may have in store for us next fall. I recently had the pleasure of giving Frank Frankforter a tour around the Grand Rapids Public Museum. As many of you know, Frank was director of Gina Bivins the Museum for a number of decades. I showed him the GRHS President new carved whale that is on the carousel. He was instrumental in getting the carousel to Grand Rapids. Then I took him up to see Chairmania, a collection of miniature chairs on display in a small gallery in which temporary exhibits are featured. He delighted in seeing the variety and creativity the different artists employed. Our final stop was the exhibit on the role Michigan played during the Civil War. So, what does this have to do with the Historical Society, you might ask. Well, Frank is listed in our newsletter (under W.D. Frankforter) as an emeritus board member. This honor was given to him before I was elected to the board. He sat on the board for a number of years and when he left it seemed fitting to keep him on, at least in spirit. I spoke to one of my fellow board members about the legacy that Frankforter has given us. I really liked the answer. “Frank had a willingness to be inclusive. He held the door open for many groups in the Greater Grand Rapids Community.” A number of the ethnic festivals that are held downtown each summer and fall began as events held at the Museum for the opening of or an expansion of an exhibit. Often they were for an addition to Heritage Hall on the second floor of the “Old Museum”. For a man whose background was paleontology, he brought a vision of the future that has stood the test of time. If you see Frank at one of our programs this year, he still comes, stop and tell him thanks.
About the Grand Rapids Historical Society. The Grand Rapids Historical Society sponsors eight programs each year, beginning in September and running through May, including lectures, audio/video presentations, demonstrations, collections, or special tours. Programs are co-sponsored by the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Membership. Membership is open to all interested persons with annual dues of $30 per family, $20 for seniors and students, or $400 for a lifetime membership. Members of the Grand Rapids Historical Society receive eight newsletters each year and a subscription to our annual magazine, Grand River Valley History. Members also receive a 20 percent discount on books published by the society as well as books published by the Grand Rapids Historical Commission. Change of Address. If you will be permanently or temporarily moving to a new address, please notify GRHS before your change occurs. Let us know your new address and the date you plan to leave and plan to return. Email to grhs.local@gmail.com, or mail to Grand Rapids Historical Society, c/o Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
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The “Rapids”...City’s Own Drink Introduced From a press release from 1985 found in the Local History Department of the Grand Rapids Public Library, vertical file, restaurants. Grand Rapids, Michigan - Grand Rapids has its own logo, industries, sports teams and ex-president, and now it has its own cocktail as well. Called a “Rapids”, the drink was introduced at a special introductory party at Cygnus Lounge, July 23, and in the August issue of Grand Rapids Magazine. Grand Rapids Magazine created the drink to celebrate the city’s heritage and toast its future. Magazine publisher John Zwarensteyn said the ingredients represent the diverse ethnic groups that have played a part in the city’s history. Perrier water represents the early French settlers and the foaming rapids of the river. Vodka is for the Polish segment of our community, and Vandermint Dutch Chocolate Mint Liqueur for the area’s large Dutch population. Zwarensteyn credited Steven Cole, a contributing editor of Grand Rapids Magazine, for coming up with the flavorful formula.
“It’s a very refreshing drink,” commented Fred Tate, beverage manager of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. “It has a great deal of character and will go very well with the elegance we have here at the hotel.” Tate said he plans to serve the drink in Grootmoeders Tafel, the Dutch restaurant in the hotel, and at Cygnus on the 27th floor. Besides the Amway Grand Plaza, many other area hotels, bars and restaurants intend to serve the drink. Among them are Gibson’s, the Grand Rapids Marriott Hotel, Pietro’s and Tootsie Van Kelley’s. As with all good drinks, variations are already being created on the original “Rapids”. To make it a “Grand Rapids”, make it a double. For a “Calm Rapids”, omit the vodka and substitute Hershey’s chocolate syrup and a few drops of mint extract for the Vandermint. Grand Rapids’ Marriott food and beverage director, John Sims, summed up response to the drink so far. “I think it’s exciting to have a drink named after the city, and I’m sure it will be well accepted by the local community.”
Lost and Find Last year we started the Lost and Find section of the Grand River Times. Sometimes we get a great response and sometimes it’s more difficult. This month, the Grand Rapids Public Museum is looking for answers. The architectural detail pictured to the left was found in its collection. It is made of stone and is approximately 18 inches high, 8 inches wide, and 8 inches deep. Can you identify where it came from? If you think you know what this is, please let the Grand Rapids Historical Society know at grhs.local@gmail.com, and we’ll pass along the information or put you in contact with the right people at the museum Let the Grand Rapids Historical Society know what you are looking for in your research or collection. We will post your request in the Lost and Find column of the Grand River Times.
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Local Member of the Class of 2012 Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame The Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, established in 1983, was created by the Michigan Women’s Studies Association (MWSA) to inspire and engage adults and children by celebrating Michigan women’s history, promoting educational opportunities, and honoring the accomplishments of Michigan women. This year, two Grand Rapids women are being honored among the eight notable women selected by independent juries. They will be honored at the 29th Annual Dinner on Thursday, October 18 at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in East Lansing. Eva McCall Hamilton (1871-1948) On November 20, 1920, in the first general election after women gained universal suffrage, Eva McCall Hamilton of Grand Rapids made history when she won a seat in the Michigan State Senate and became Michigan’s first woman legislator. Long active in Grand Rapids civic affairs and in the fight for women’s suffrage, she also worked to improve teachers’ pay and to increase funds available to destitute mothers with dependent children. Even before her election to the Senate, she became a familiar figure in Lansing as she lobbied lawmakers and testified in committees on behalf of women and children. Eva Hamilton was known in Grand Rapids as the “green onion lady” for her habit of carrying green onions with her as she fought to establish the city’s first retail farmers market in 1917. Her work to provide fresh, healthy and inexpensive local food to city residents helped win her the Republican nomination for the 16th District Senate seat from Kent County, a seat she won handily over three male opponents. Although Senator Hamilton served only a single term (1921-22), she introduced a dozen measures. Most dealt with women and children and more than half passed, earning the respect of the press and her male fellow senators. In 1946, on the 25th anniversary of her historic election, she was honored with a special Senate tribute presented in the chamber where she had served, the gallery packed with women from all over the state. In 1949, a year after her death, a coalition of women’s groups commissioned a portrait in honor of her role in inspiring women to serve in government. It was hung in the Senate Chamber, the first portrait of a woman ever displayed in the Michigan State Capitol.
Mary Jane Dockeray Nothing is accomplished unless somebody cares. And May Jane Dockeray cared enough to visualize and spearhead the building of Blandford Nature Center. Before Mary Jane had even graduated from Michigan State University she was a summer program instructor at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. She became Curator of Natural History there upon graduation. About that time she made a conscious decision that she couldn't handle both marriage and a career. She loved what she was doing. "It was never stagnant," she said. Every day for 19 years she visited four schools a day educating children about birds, animals, and the environment, long before it was the fashionable thing to do. Frank DuMond, the Museum Director, gave her complete freedom. His motto was: "Learn at least one new thing everyday." Before she knew it she had 100 different programs she was taking into the schools and the community. When on a field trip on the West Side, she'd take students to the woods on the old Collins farm by the golf course, an area she herself had played on as a child. One spring in 1964 she saw surveyor's stakes. Mary Jane immediately traced the owners, Mr. & Mrs. Victor Blandford, who told her they'd been thinking about donating 10 acres to the city for a park. "Really," replied Mary Jane. That was the beginning of Blandford Nature Center with the complete support of the new Museum Director, W. D. Frankforter. Today the Center encompasses 143 acres of diverse habitats, an interpretive center, and several historic buildings. There are programs for school children and for adults, festivals, nature trails, family programs and Civil War Reenactments. Mary Jane retired recently after a busy career. She has touched innumerable lives. In the late 50s she conducted a weekly radio program Nature Spy. She taught classes in geology and science methods for Michigan State University, 1957-79. Dear to her heart is the National Audubon Society continued on page 5
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY Continued from page 4
and she used her vacation time to lecture on the Society's Wildlife Film Series throughout the United States & Canada 1961-72. She began work on her Ph.D. in 1971. About the same time she wrote a book, Let's Go Exploring outlining family and class field trips in the area for the West Michigan Environmental Action Council for which she earned credit toward her degree. An updated version was published in 1995. She has received too many awards to name except two of which she is most proud: a Delta Kappa Gamma International Scholarship in 1971 toward her Ph.D. work, the 1985 Michigan Audubon Society Outstanding Member Award, and a Mary Jane Dockeray Scholarship established
by friends to recognize outstanding high school seniors planning on science careers. Her professional memberships include the Michigan Audubon Society (Board of Directors), the National Audubon Society, numerous environmental, museum, and parks societies, as well as an appointed member of the 1985-88 Governor's Wilderness & Natural Areas Advisory Board. "If people can become better informed about the natural world around, they'll take better care and their lives will be richer," Mary Jane said. "It's my firm belief that everyone literally needs to have their feet on the ground before they can make informed decisions about the environment."
Grand Rapids History at the Grand Rapids Historical Commission’s Online Archive The Grand Rapids Historical Commission website, historygrandrapids.org, serves as a community virtual archive. It invites submissions of photos, as well as stories about the photos, from private and public collections throughout our community. In this way images and information are preserved and shared, and website viewers are able to learn as well as build on the historical narrative. Check out Diana Barrett’s photo essay (especially if you are interested in this month’s GRHS program), “The Earliest Chinese in Grand Rapids” for an example of how rich the material can be with numerous links to a variety of other resources.
Above: Screen sh ot The Earliest Chine of Diana Barrett’s photo essay on se there are numerou in Grand Rapids. Scrolling dow n s images, related links and podcasts and bibliography . , Other fun features are Podcasts and Classroom resources. There’s a lot to see and hear, and the chance to contribute. Be sure to visit this great website at historygrandrapids.org. We’re sure you’ll stay a while! Left: A really fun feature is the “zoom” function when viewing photos. Dragging your mouse over the photo acts like a magnifying glass to really get you close to see details you would overlook with the regular photograph. Grand River Times
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Born in Revolution: History, Gender, and the Power of Conflict October 12 & 13 GVSU L.V. Eberhard Center, Pew Campus
"Born in Revolution": History, Gender, and the Power of Conflict is the 2012 theme for the 38th Annual Great Lakes History Conference, co-sponsored by Grand Valley State University's History Department and the Women's and Gender Historians of the Midwest. Where else can you see previews of a new documentary about the 97-year old Detroit-based activist/philosopher Grace Lee Boggs by its award-winning filmmaker and a keynote on the history of healthcare reform in the US by its leading historian all in one weekend? Join us for this year's Great Lakes History Conference, October 12th and 13th, Eberhard Center, Pew Campus, Grand Valley State University. The conference will be held at the L.V. Eberhard Center on the Pew campus of Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on October 12-13, 2012. The Great Lakes History Conference is a general history conference with an interdisciplinary emphasis.
Friday, October 12th, 7:30 p.m., Keynote Address. This event is free and open to the public. Director Grace Lee will present highlights from American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs. The biographical work-in-process film explores the life and work of centenarian Grace Lee Boggs, Detroit activist and feminist. Saturday, October 13th, 12:30-1:45 p.m., Eberhard Center, 2nd Floor, Pew Campus Dr. Beatrix Hoffman (Northern Illinois University) will speak about her forthcoming book, Health Care for Some, that investigates the history of health care in the United States in a talk entitled "Health Care for All! Women, Activism, and the Human Right to Health".
Additional information regarding the conference can be found at http://www.gvsu.edu/history under the Great Lakes History Conference link. If you would like to attend, please contact Gretchen Galbraith at galbraig@gvsu.edu.
Grand Rapids Public Library Photo Sleuth If you know what this photo is or can identify anyone in the photo, please email your information to kgillman@grpl.org, or call 616 988-5402, extension 5497. Each month the local history department of the Grand Rapids Public Library posts a different photo on a web page called Photo Sleuth to enlist the public’s help in identifying individuals in the photos. To find the photo on GRPL’s website, go to www.grpl.org/history and click on “Archives and Photos.”
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Happening in History: October 2012 If you have history-related events you would like included in our calendar, please let us know at grhs.local@gmail.com.
Come and meet over 25 local authors! Discover new books and talk one-on-one with local authors about the books they have written. Free and open to the public.
Reading the Great Lakes Thursday, October 4, 2012, 7:00 p.m. Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Adult Computer Class: Facebook 101 Monday, October 15, 2012, 3:00 p.m. Main Library – 111 Library St NE
Come explore the Lakes with us! We'll read a range of titles including mystery, history, fiction, and nonfiction all taking place in the Great Lakes region--from Chicago to Cleveland. This book club will be lead by our smart librarians and will take place the first Thursday of every month. Additional copies of the book are available to be checked out on Level 4 of the Main Library. October's selection is The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach.
A more advanced class designed for those who already have a working knowledge of computers and the Internet. Students in this class will be introduced to blogging sites like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. These sites are the new way to communicate and share photos and etc. with friends and family.
2012 GotAncestors?! Annual Seminar Got Questions? Get Answers! Friday, October 12 - 13 Prince Conference Center The Western Michigan Genealogical Society (WMGS) announces its 2012 GotAncestors?! Annual Seminar entitled Got Questions? Get Answers! Curt B. Witcher will present several topics of interest to genealogists. Mr. Witcher is the Senior Manager for Special Collections and heads the Genealogy Center, one of the Midwest’s largest research collections located at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Find full details at www.gvsu.edu/ localhistoryroundtable and www.gotancestors.com. Funding the Writer's Life: One Author's Journey Saturday, October 13, 2012, 10:00 a.m. Main Library – 111 Library St NE Beyond the sage advice to just not quit your day job, how exactly does today's writer fund her literary pursuits? One answer—diversify your sources of income. Author Mardi Link has been published by a university press, freelanced for local and regional publications, received grants, written for free, and even used Kickstarter, a new crowd-sourcing website, to keep the words coming. She also recently signed with a New York literary agent who sold her memoir to Knopf at action. Link will discuss the in's and out's of each funding source and offer insight into how to keep economics from getting in the way of inspiration. Free and open to the public. Local Author Book Fair Saturday, October 13, 2012, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Main Library – 111 Library St NE
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Southwest Michigan Units of the Civil War Wednesday, October 17, 2012, 7:30 p.m. Kuyper College, Dewitt Student Center Michigan sent more than 90,00 men to serve in the union army, prompting President Lincoln to state “Thank God for Michigan!” John Urschel will make his first visit to the Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table to share his knowledge on the units from southwest Michigan. Harvest Festival Thursday, October 20, 2012, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Blandford Nature Center, 1715 Hillburn Ave NW Annual celebration of autumn with historic festive fun. Activities include candle making, pioneer and nature crafts, scarecrow making, wagon rides, petting zoo, live music, and much more. Admittance $5 for members and $6 for nonmembers. Ghosthunting Michigan Thursday, October 25, 2012, 7:00 p.m. Main Library – 111 Library St NE Author Helen Pattskyn has explored some of Michigan's most haunted locations, from the Whitney in downtown Detroit to the Point Iroquois Lighthouse. Her interest in the paranormal combined with her background in library science, makes for a well-researched ghost hunter. Join her for a discussion about ghosts, ghost hunting, and Michigan's haunted history. Free and open to the public. Save the Date! History Detectives at Grand Rapids Public Library Saturday, January 19, 2013
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Grand Rapids Historical Society, Inc.
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Grand Rapids, MI Permit No. 234
c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Ethnic Surprises: The Early History of Chinese and Japanese Grand Rapids October 11, 2012, 7:00 p.m. Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum Presented by Diana Barrett, GR Historical Commission Details inside!
Inside this issue: Cover Story: October program: Ethnic Surprises Letter from our President, page 2 The “Rapids” drink, Lost and Find, page 3 Women’s Hall of Fame, historygrandrapids.org pages 4-5 Great Lakes History Conf; Photo Sleuth, page 6 Happening in History, page 7
For more information on Historical Society programs, visit www.grhistory.org
