Rapids Historical Society
Volume 35, number 4!
January 2014
Grand River Times The Newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society
Inside this issue: Cover Story: January program: The Legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Michigan Letter from our President, page 2 GRHS has a new website, page 3 History Detectives, pages 4-5 Happening in History, page 6 Photo Sleuth, page 7
Search: Grand Rapids Historical Society
Next Program: Pine Rest: 100 Years of Changing Lives Save the date: Thursday, February 13, 2014, 7:00 p.m., at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.
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The Legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Michigan Thursday, January 9, 2014, 7:00 p.m. Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum Presented by Rob Burg In 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps as part of his “New Deal” programs to conserve our natural landscape and to improve the lives of our young men. In only nine years, the CCC Boys would plant millions of acres of forests, create national, state, and local parks, fight forest fires, build dams, and do so much more. In Michigan, more than 102,000 men, living in 125 camps throughout the state, planted more than 484 million trees, stocked fish, created Isle Royale National Park, and many state parks. Historian Rob Burg will highlight some of the successes of the CCC and their work in Michigan from 1933-42. Rob Burg has been a historian/historic sites manager for the Michigan Historical Museum for more than fifteen years. Rob has managed the Hartwick Pines Logging Museum at Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling, the Michigan Civilian Conservation Corps Museum at North Higgins Lake in Roscommon, the Tawas CCC camps in Michigan. The tents were soon replaced by barracks built by Army contractors for the enrollees. Photo from Wikipedia page on Civilian Point Lighthouse at Tawas Point State Park Conservation Corps. in East Tawas, and the Sanilac Petroglyphs near Bad Axe. Rob attended Eastern Michigan University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in History and also attended the Historic Preservation graduate program. Rob enjoys exploring Michigan’s outdoors, much of which is a result of the success of the CCC.
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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 Jim Winslow 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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I am writing this column on a rare day off of work and am bundled up trying to keep a positive attitude about the prospect of a long winter. I am already on my countdown to December 22, the day after the shortest hours of sunlight in this area. I am hopeful that 2014 will not fly by as fast as 2013. I am looking forward to the speaker in January. My father-in-law said he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps, but we never did have a conversation with him about it. I was once told that the pine woods in northern Michigan that are in such perfectly straight rows were planted by the men who worked in the Corps. I have always loved driving by those stands of pines. Perhaps I will learn if it is true. Gina Bivins The CCC was another of those “put people to work” GRHS President programs created during the Depression, not unlike the local program that put up the Civic Auditorium. Be sure to check the line-up for the annual History Detectives Day at the Grand Rapids Public Library downtown branch. This great collaboration was recognized by the State Historical Society at their fall awards event. All of the collaborating organizations are eager to work with each other and help make this a fun, interesting, enlightening event. I do recommend that you come early if at all possible. There is a limit to how many chairs can be set up in the auditorium on the second floor. The Society is sponsoring the presentation by Kevin Finney who is truly a history detective in the way he solved the mystery of West Michigan’s sunken dugout canoes. I admit to having heard this presentation previously, and yet am looking forward to it again. It is fascinating. Check out the rest of the programs. They are listed in this newsletter. The Saturday after the History Detectives Day at the library is the Ethnic Heritage Festival at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. This is a program near and dear to my heart since I have had a hand in planning it since its inception many years ago. It is a day to celebrate the cultural diversity of West Michigan through conversation, dance, song and food. Learn more at www.grmuseum.org
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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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Grand Rapids Historical Society Launches new Website! The Grand Rapids Historical Society is excited to have a fresh new website as we continue discovering and presenting the past. Features on the new website include an online membership form, a donation form, the ability to order copies of past magazines we still have in stock, online ordering of books, and an updated calendar featuring our programs. We appreciate your patience these past few months and apologize if it seemed like we had left the internet. We hope this new website makes it easier for you to engage and become involved with the local history of your communities. Visit us at www.grhistory.org.
Welcome to new members of the Grand Rapids Historical Society Jana & John Hanson Susan Mengers Tim Karsen Gerald Shoultz Mike Sikkema Ken Katerberg Thomas Larink
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: Grand Rapids Historical Society, c/o Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library Street NE, Grand Rapids MI 49503
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
2014 H i s t or y D et ec t i ves : S leu t h i n g for Loc al H i s t or y S at u r d ay, J an u ar y 18, 9: 30 a. m . - 4: 00 p . m . Women and WWII: New Roles and Old Stereotypes 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. Dr. Richard Harms Using Grand Rapids as a case study, Dr. Richard Harms will highlight the important roles played by World War IIera women answering their nation’s “call to arms.” For the duration of World War II women entered the workforce, demonstrating that there were few tasks they could not do
as well and efficiently as men. The images shown will illustrate how sudden opportunities complicated women’s traditional roles and created social changes leading to a renewed women’s movement. We often ignore the 50 years of women’s history between 1920 and 1970, the years between earlier struggles for the basic rights of citizens and later struggles for equality under the law. Harms will elaborate how the war years in particular built upon the former and laid foundations for the latter. World War II touched every aspect of life in Grand Rapids, its reach extending well into the future. Sponsored by the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council Genealogical Society. When the Automobile Came to the Furniture City 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. Chuck Snow Chuck Snow will present some facts about the early history of the automobile in the United States and Europe, with emphasis on developments in the Grand Rapids area. He will address when automobiles first appeared in Grand Rapids, who participated in local developments before 1905, and what immediate effects were experienced on city 4
streets and in local businesses. Prepare for surprises in this history of a revolutionary machine that we nevertheless take for granted. Sponsored by the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Mr. Rover Visits Grand Rapids 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Melissa Fox Highly sought after by collectors, the Mr. Rover postcards feature larger-than-life images of Mr. Rover as he makes his way around Grand Rapids, from the Kent Country Club to the Grand River to old City Hall. Maybe more interesting than the postcards themselves is the story behind them, the intersecting lives of Harry Wykom, the model for the Mr. Rover postcards, and his father-in-law Lafora S. Baker.Using genealogical resources and newspaper clippings, this program uncovers an almost unbelievable tale featuring missing persons, embezzlement, and an unearthed body. Sponsored by the Grand Rapids Public Library. Lunch - Reserve ahead of time! 12:15 - 1:00 p.m. Boxed lunches are $8.00 and must be ordered in advance. Please call 616.988.5492 or email: rsvp@grpl.org by 5:00 pm on January 10 to reserve your lunch and include your sandwich choice. Sandwich choices: turkey, ham, roast beef, or vegetarian. Included are a fruit cup, pasta salad, individual condiments, and bottled water. Lunches must be reserved in advance and paid for in cash when the lunch is picked up on January 18 at the event. Attendees may choose to bring lunches as well. Pop will be available for an additional $1.00. Please note, the library no longer has a cafe, but does have vending machines. Lunches sponsored by the Cherry Deli; bottled water by Meijer; afternoon cookies by Lomonaco Sicilian Cookies. Additional sponsors include the Kutsche Office of Local History at Grand Valley State University and the Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table.
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Mystery of West Michigan’s Sunken Canoes 1:00 - 1:45 p.m. Kevin Finney Over the past century, hundreds of dugout canoes have been recovered from inland lakes and rivers across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Until recently, little has been known about the technology, science and cultural history of this unique part of our region’s heritage. Researchers from the Great Lakes Lifeways Institute are using a combination of ancient technologies, detailed historical research and careful examination of archaeological artifacts to expand our understanding of how these watercraft were built and why they may have been intentionally sunk. Sponsored by the Grand Rapids Historical Society. Remembering Grandville Avenue 2:00 - 2:45 p.m. Mary Angelo In 2012, the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association (RPNA) published the book I Remember…. A History of Grandville Avenue. The book was inspired by RPNA’s creation of the Grandville Avenue Neighborhood Museum, which opened at 1260 Grandville Avenue in 2010. Written by RPNA’s thendirector Mary Angelo, the book has been especially well received by people who once lived in the neighborhood. Sponsored by the Western Michigan Genealogical Society.
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Still Standing: 40 Years of Historic Preservation 3:00 - 3:45 p.m. Rebecca Smith-Hoffman In 1973, the Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Ordinance was enacted in reaction to the destruction of the central city under the guise of urban renewal. Hundreds of buildings fell victim to the evisceration caused by the construction of the freeways and the demolition of a large portion of the downtown business district. Unlike most Michigan cities, Grand Rapids is recovering from the destruction and now celebrates its vibrant urban character. SmithHoffman will explore the major role that historic preservation played in the city’s rebirth and the ongoing effort to maintain the city’s urban character through the preservation of its buildings and the revitalization of its neighborhoods. Sponsored by the Grand Rapids Historical Commission.
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Happening in History: January 2014 If you have history-related events you would like included in our calendar, please let us know at grhs.local@gmail.com. Reading the Great Lakes Thursday, January 2, 2014, 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 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. For a complete list of books, visit www.grpl.org/ rtgl. January’s selection is Dear Life by Alice Munro. Why 27 Million People Attended the 1893 Chicago World's Fair Monday, January 6, 2014, 7:00 p.m. Main Library – 111 Library St NE Discover Michigan's numerous contributions to the Chicago World's Fair. From the massive Michigan Building with 3,000 examples of Michigan wood to the award-winning exhibits in the Mines and Minerals Building and samples of Michigan furniture form Grand Rapids, Michigan's contributions to the world's fair were impressive. Come see why Michigan contributed to the success of the world's fair. Christmas at the Jenison Museum Saturday, January 11, 2014, 2:00 p.m. 28 Port Sheldon, Jenison The Husband-Hanchett-Tiffany House, located at 28 Port Sheldon, serves as the Jenison Historical Museum. It has been restored and furnished with period furniture along with displays of Jenison History. The Jenison Historical Association maintains the museum and holds scheduled open houses throughout the year or special tours by appointment. Admission is free and all donations go to the Jenison Historical Association to support future projects. Tourism, The Michigan Pike Tuesday, January 14, 2014, 5:30 p.m. Torch Club, torchclubgr.org for information Membership is not required to attend and guests are always welcome. There is a $28 meeting charge for
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members ($32 for guests), which includes the meal, and reservations are required - 616.247.3796 or 616.706.4733.
More True Crime in the Civil War Wednesday, January 15, 2014, 7:30 p.m. DeWitt Student Center, Kuyper College 3333 East Beltline NE Tobin Buhk returns to the Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table in January with more stories of true crimes in the Civil War. Genealogy Lock-In Friday, January 17, 2014, 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. Speak Up GR: A Forum on Gentrification Monday, January 20, 2014, 7:00 p.m. Main Library – 111 Library St NE In conjunction with Grand Rapids Civic Theatre's production of Clybourne Park, panelists David Allen, Jennifer Metz, Carol Townsend, and Judith Transue will lead a frank conversation about the myths and realities of gentrification in our community. Ethnic Heritage Festival Saturday, January 25, 2014, 10:00 a.m. Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St NW Celebrate and learn the traditions and customs of the various ethnic groups that call west Michigan home. The event features a variety of organizations, performances, beer tastings, and presentations, and the cafe will feature ethnic food selections.
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Grand Rapids Public Library Photo Sleuth In November the photo to the right was featured in Photo Sleuth, from the Drueke Collection (#212). William F. Drueke, Jr. (1912-2000) was a Grand Rapids businessman who headed the family business, the Drueke Game Company. This collection contains photographs he took of various scenes in Grand Rapids from 1958 to 1979. The people in the photo were identified by Betsy Drueke, William and wife Rose’s oldest daughter. The children on the toboggan were identified as Rose Mary Drueke (daughter of William and Rose), Betty Bloomer Ford, John O'Hara, Dick O'Hara and Paul O'Hara. The picture was taken in front of the Drueke's home at 120 Grand, N.E., Grand Rapids, circa 1930. The image below is also from the Drueke Collection and is dated 1962. The children appear to be headed to Reed's Lake for an afternoon of ice skating. Rose's Popcorn Shop is seen in the background. Other skating pictures in this collection show a large crowd of people skating on the lake. If you happen to know any of the children in this photo, please let us know by emailing 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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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 Legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Michigan Thursday, January 9, 2014, 7 p.m. Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum Presented by Rob Burg Details inside!
Inside this issue: Cover Story: January program: The Legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Michigan Letter from our President, page 2 GRHS has a new website, page 3 History Detectives, pages 4-5 Happening in History, page 6 Photo Sleuth, page 7
For more information on Historical Society programs, visit www.grhistory.org
