Rapids Historical Society
Volume 35, number 2!
October 2013
Grand River Times The Newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society
Inside this issue: Cover Story: October program: The Powers Theatre: A Century of Entertaining Letter from our President, page 2 2013 Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame Inductees, page 4 Happening in History, page 6 Photo Sleuth, page 7
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The Powers Theatre: A Century of Entertaining Wednesday, October 9, 2013, 7 p.m. Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum Presented by Jim Winslow NOTE: This program is on Wednesday and not Thursday. Normal Thursday evening programs will resume in November. More than thirty years ago in May 1979 the last of the once great Powers' Theatre and Office Building came crashing down, not by fire, but by the force of the wrecking ball to make way for yet another parking lot. Many today may remember Powers' as the Midtown Theatre that showed "The Sound of Music" for a record 78 weeks. What began as a legitimate stage theatre, later became a premiere movie house, the first of John "Jack" Loeks family dynasty. Even before the foundation of the opera house was laid in the winter of 1873 the world-renowned Shakespearean actor, Edwin Booth, the older brother of notorious John Wilkes Booth, while performing in town, gave William T. Powers a letter of instruction as how to
Next Program: Beer Brewing in Grand Rapids, by William W. Seeger, GRHS Trustee
Pearl Street looking west toward Grand River shows Powers Opera House on right shortly after it opened in 1874. Photo Credit: © Grand Rapids History & Special Collections, Archives, Grand Rapids Public Library, Stereo Card Collection 76-2-65.2R. Grand Rapids, MI.
build the grand theatre. Booth would again return to Grand Rapids and play the opera house over the next couple decades which also saw such thespian legends as, Joseph Barrett, Joseph Jefferson, Edwin Milton Royle, John Drew, Mrs. John Drew, Helena Modjeska, and so many more.
Save the date: Thursday, November 14, 2013, 7 p.m., at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.
Completely destroyed by fire twice, the theatre was rebuilt even grander than its former glory. The latest interior constructed in 1902 would 1903 Powers Theatre interior. 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 Matthew Daley, vice president John Gelderloos, treasurer Board members: Alan Bennett Charles Bocskey Thomas Dilley W.D. Frankforter, emeritus Tim Gleisner Marilyn Hamill Chris Kaupa 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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Gina Bivins GRHS President
Our first programs of the season are done and they were well received by over 400 members and soon to be members – we hope. Thomas R. Dilley, a society board trustee, led us on a path through Greenwood Cemetery located on Grand Rapids’ west side. We learned about the different eras of cemetery design and about different styles of grave markers. We were educated about the early Jewish population. We saw a number of “white bronze” monuments, including one for an infant that was a mere 10 x 10 inch square. A heartfelt thank you goes to our speaker for such informative programs.
Put a on hold January 18, 2014 for History Detectives Day. The first of six programs begins at 9:30 a.m., and the last one of the day begins at 3:00 p.m. Come for one, come for all. This great event is a collaborative effort of the Grand Rapids Public Library, the Grand Rapids Historical Society, the Grand Rapids Historical Commission, the Western Michigan Genealogical Society, the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council, the Grand Rapids Civil War Roundtable, and Grand Valley State University’s Kutche Center. I will let you know the line-up of speakers in the November newsletter. I was asked to speak in Lowell in the middle of September. My chosen topic was, Were the Good Old Days Really Good; Grand Rapids in 1905. I spent Continued on page 3
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. The membership year runs from May to the following May. 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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some time taking a program I had put together for KDL a few years ago and connecting it to Lowell. It didn’t take long to find some interesting items. Our floods of 1903, ‘04 and ‘05, were their floods too. Fires devastated Lowell’s downtown. A newspaper article said that a special train was sent from Grand Rapids with firefighters to help in containing the blaze. I found another article that said the Grand Rapids Brewing Company helped rebuild the burned out area. In a conversation after the talk I found out one of the burned out buildings was a bar named the Silver Foam. Can anyone guess who owned that business? My research on
following high school exams, because I couldn’t tell you. What I do know is it had a profound effect on me. On a lighter note, I saw the Sound of Music there, which seems to have had a run of about 3 years. See you in October.
the Grand Rapids Police Department mug shot book also linked our two communities. Horse stealing, illegal fishing, larceny and burglary, flim flam, and more were crimes committed by people from Lowell in Grand Rapids or by people from Grand Rapids in Lowell. It was a pleasure to link our two Historical Societies together in programming. I look forward to the program Wednesday (not Thursday), October 9, 7 p.m. at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Jim Winslow will share his research on the Powers Theatre, later to be the Midtown. My memory of going to the Midtown in the mid-’60s was to meet my friend Kit Todish there to see The Nuremberg Trials, a documentary. Don’t ask me why we thought that would be a good thing to watch one afternoon
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See more great photos from the Greenwood Cemetery tour on our Facebook page!
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2013 Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame Inductees Among the Michigan 2013 Women’s Hall of Fame inductees are three Grand Rapids women, including Grand Rapids' first woman attorney, Elizabeth Jane Eaglesfield (1853-1940), and two Grand Rapids women who were among eleven female participants in the state constitutional convention in the early 1960s, the Con Con Eleven. Reserve now to celebrate and honor them at the Kellogg Conference Center in East Lansing on Thursday, October 17. See below for details.
Con Con Eleven: Women at the Michigan Constitutional Convention
Elizabeth Jane Eaglesfield (1853-1940)
Judd never held elective office, but she had much influence on government and public service in Michigan. For years, governors of both parties appointed Judd to major committees.
At an especially early date in the national history of women attorneys, “Bessie Eaglesfield” hung out her shingle in Grand Rapids in 1878. A recent graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, Eaglesfield managed to balance the life of an active club woman with her performance in the down-and-dirty male world of the law. In the difficult balance between being a “lady” and being a “lawyer,” Eaglesfield generally chose the more adventurous path. Eventually, it led her to Lake Michigan and a colorful career as a fruit boat owner, licensed skipper, and lake lawyer. Her steamship, the Golden Girl became “a fixture on the Lake Michigan horizon,” according to contemporary sources. Elizabeth Eaglesfield engaged her tainted world for decades, a rousing model of determination, persistence, and daring. (For more information, see http://www.ggrwhc.org/)
The first Michigan constitutional convention in 53 years was held in 1961-1962. For the first and only time women participated in the writing of Michigan’s constitution. Of 147 delegates in 1961-1962, only eleven were women, two from Grand Rapids: Dorothy Leonard Judd (1898-1989) and Ella Demmink Koeze (1905-1986).
Koeze served on the Grand Valley State University Board of Control, which has since built a living center in her name, was a delegate to various GOP conventions, served as president of the Republican Women's Federation of Michigan and as a director of YWCA Southwest in Grand Rapids. (For more information on both, see, www.ggrwhc.org) Women's Hall of Fame Inductions Thursday, October 17, 2013 The induction dinner and ceremony will be held at the Kellogg Conference Center in East Lansing (55 South Harrison Avenue). For $125 per seat, the public is invited to a 5:00 p.m. reception (cash bar), 6:00 p.m. dinner, and 7:00 p.m. program. If you cannot attend yourself, please consider donating to dinner scholarships. The Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council will coordinate funding from persons unable to attend with people unable to afford a seat and will coordinate tables. Please call at 616/574-7307 or send to info@ggrwhc.org. For full information about statewide inductions into the Hall of Fame and for details about the celebration, see http:// www.michiganwomenshalloffame.org/pages/ awards_dinner.htm. Check your calendars and plan to attend!
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usher in the new century with a variety of entertainment including, vaudeville, lantern slideshows, silent films and eventually the talkies. The 1920s brought William H. Wright's resident stock company, Broadway Players, later renamed, Wright Players. In June 1924 William H. Wright's Broadway Players introduced its newest member, a young 24 year old Spencer Tracy. It is through Tracy's interactions with key Royle family players in Grand Rapids that he makes his big break on to Broadway and out to Hollywood. Grand Rapids was also introduced to world-renowned actress and drama coach, Maude Fealy through one of these resident stock companies. Maude Fealy and her Welcome to new members of actress mother, Margaret the Grand Rapids Historical decided to permanently Society settle GR and would play key roles in the formation Suzanne Karsen of Grand Rapids' own Lesa Olszewski "Civic Players". Charles & Sandra Buffham Arlene Obetts Laura Kennedy Fred Kaminski Arlen & Sandra Gaddy Jean McCormick Stephen Cannady Dick Spiegel Robert & Lisa Scott Vance Harger Bob & Susan Scherphorn Brian Steenbergen James Dehaan Gerry Roeters Pamela Stewart Dan & Jan Scanlon Jill Marcusse Richard Laninga David Van Oostendorp George Meier, Jr. C. Mark & Martha Stoppels George Berry Dan & Judy Bowen Sarah Huizenga Dan Lignell Jerry & Laura Schnur Renee Spitler Terry VanderMeulen
Although Powers' Theatre is gone, imagine the rich dramatic history on that small plat of ground where Ellis Parking stands today on Pearl Street, awaiting to be revealed.
Maude Fealy is rumored to have been the most photographed actress of her time.
Speaker, Jim Winslow, is a creative director, photographer, and local historian. He is a sixth-generation Grand Rapidian whose Powers family began arriving in 1847. He has researched the Powers and Ball families, their businesses and involvement in early Grand Rapids for more than 30 years. He is currently researching an extensive project on Powers' Theatre, it being at the heart of Grand Rapids entertainment for over a hundred years from 1873–1979.
Join the Grand Rapids Historical Society or Give a Membership as a Gift The Grand Rapids Historical Society sponsors eight lectures each year, which are co-sponsored by the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Members of the society enjoy these benefits: The Grand River Times is the newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society. Published and mailed to members eight times a year, it includes current items of historical interest, details of upcoming lectures, historically relevant activities, and short articles. The Grand River Valley History is the society’s annual magazine. Featured are illustrated articles by local history researchers and contributions from the Grand Rapids Public Museum, the City Archivist, the Grand Rapids Public Library, and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. 20% Discount on all books and other items published by the society. Please enroll me as a member of the Grand Rapids Historical Society: ___ New ___ Renewal ___ Gift ____ Individual/Family Membership: $30.00 per year ____ Senior Citizen or Student: $20.00 per year ____ Lifetime: $400.00 one-time fee Name: Address: City/State/Zip Email: Please make check payable to the Grand Rapids Historical Society and mail it with this form to:
Correction from September: Dustin Vander Plaats
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Grand Rapids Historical Society, c/o Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library Street NE, Grand Rapids MI 49503
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Happening in History: October 2013 If you have history-related events you would like included in our calendar, please let us know at grhs.local@gmail.com. Archives A to Z Exhibit April 8 – December 31, 2013 Main Library – 111 Library St NE Come explore the unique treasures found in the Grand Rapids History and Special Collections Department of the Grand Rapids Public Library. Using letters, business documents, personal recollections, scrapbooks, photographs and other items, this exhibit explores unusual and little known stories of Grand Rapids history using the 390 processed collections and over one million photographs held in the department. Free and open to the public. Reading the Great Lakes Thursday, October 3, 2013, 7:00 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 led 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. For a complete list of books, visit www.grpl.org/rtgl. October's selection is The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. A History of the Syrian Community of Grand Rapids, 1890-1945 Monday, October 7, 2013, 7:00 p.m. Main Library – 111 Library St NE Author and professor Jim Goode will present a brief history of the Syrian community of Grand Rapids, one of the largest in the United States. In particular, he will discuss patterns of emigration and immigration, and the economic and religious character of the community, focusing on the slow process of ethnic acculturation during which members developed a hybrid culture, drawing on elements of the old and the new. Got Ancestors?! October 11 and 12, 2013 Prince Conference Center, Calvin College
The Western Michigan Genealogical Society announces its sixth GotAncestors?! annual seminar. Visit www.gotancestors.com for details and registration information. GVSU Great Lakes History Conference October 11 and 12, 2013 Eberhard Center This year’s theme is “Migrations in History,” and the Friday keynote lecture focuses on Latino civic activism and migration between Chicago and Grand Rapids. For full program and registration information, click on Great Lakes History Conference at www.gvsu.edu/history/. Friends of the Library Book Sale Saturday, October 12, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 13, 2013, 1-4 p.m. Main Library – 111 Library St NE Huge used book sale! Find treasures, bargains, and more! All proceeds benefit the Grand Rapids Public Library. The White Hurricane of 1913: A Great Lakes Disaster West Michigan Post Card Club Monday, October 14, 2013, 7:00 p.m. Highland Hills Middle School, 4645 Chandy Drive NE Storms are nothing unusual on the Great Lakes, but the four-day storm in November 1913 would prove to be the deadliest. Though it struck all of the lakes, the storm’s greatest strength was felt on Lake Huron where winds reached category 2 strength for over thirty hours. A dozen vessels were lost with their entire crews and at a cost of over $2 million dollars by the end of the storm. This presentation covers the wrecks and survivors of this terrible storm. Presented by Matthew Daley, GVSU. 2013 Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame Celebration Thursday, October 17, 2013 Kellogg Conference Center, East Lansing Grand Rapids women will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, including: our earliest woman attorney, Elizabeth Jane Eaglesfield (1853-1940); and two of the Con Con Eleven, women delegates to the 1961-62 Michigan Constitutional Conventioin: Dorothy Leonard Judd (1898-1989) and Ella Demmink Koeze (1905-1986). See Continued on page 7
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Grand Rapids Public Library Photo Sleuth This month's Photo Sleuth comes from the Furniture Manufacturers Association (FMA) Records Collection (#84). The FMA began in 1881 in an effort to obtain equitable freight rates from the railroads, protect members from disreputable furniture dealers, obtain reasonable insurance rates, protect the Grand Rapids furniture label, and set uniform wage rates. In 1981, the association celebrated its centennial. The association continues to be an advocate for the industry today, but has expanded its membership to include furniture makers and related industries from West Michigan rather than just Grand Rapids This group of gentlemen look as if they're celebrating someone's retirement. The photo is dated November 1966. If you can help us identify any one of the men, please email your information to khazlew@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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page 4 or www.ggrwhc.org for full details and how to register to attend. Adult Computer Class: Using Genealogy Software to Start Your Research Thursday, October 17, 2013, 6:45 p.m. Main Library – 111 Library St NE Participants will learn how to conduct genealogical research using genealogy database software and techniques for locating and organizing family history. Several key databases will be explored. Remarkable Ramona Park Thursday, October 24, 2013, 7:00 p.m. Main Library – 111 Library St NE If you missed GRHS’s banquet and program in May, now’s your chance to see Gail Snow’s Remarkable Ramona Park.
Gail will share some of the history of Ramona Park, which existed on the shore of Reeds Lake in East Grand
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Rapids from 1903-1954. She will also discuss some of the little-known facts she uncovered while researching her book, Remarkable Ramona Park. Genealogy Lock-In Friday, October 25, 2013, 6:00 p.m. Main Library – 111 Library St NE Come to the Grand Rapids History and Special Collections department for a free after-hours program just for genealogists! Learn how to use the microfilm reader/scanner/printer, save images, and take advantage of free copying and printing during the event. Use the time to search databases—we will have plenty of computers available or bring your own laptop and use the library’s WiFi network. Bring your genealogy questions or Ancestry and Heritage Quest problems— volunteers will be on hand to assist. Network with other genealogists—you never know what you might find! Registration required: www.grpl.org/register or call 988-5400.
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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
The Powers Theatre: A Century of Entertaining
Inside this issue:
Wednesday, October 9, 2013, 7 p.m.
Cover Story: October program: The Powers Theatre: A Century of Entertaining
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum Presented by Jim Winslow Details inside!
Letter from our President, page 2 2013 Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame Inductees, page 4 Happening in History, page 6 Photo Sleuth, page 7
For more information on Historical Society programs, visit www.grhistory.org
