Volume 39, number 1
September 2017
Grand River Times The Newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society Inside this issue: Cover Story: September program Letter from our President page 2 Program Schedule 2017-2018 page 4 Baraga Days page 5 Happening in History page 6 Photo Sleuth page 7
Search: Grand Rapids Historical Society
The Search for the Westmoreland: West Michigan's Treasure Ship Wreck PRESENTED BY: Ross Richardson Thursday, September 14, 2017, 7:00 p.m. Imagine we are walking through an old part of your town, the oldest part of town. Now imagine we discover a building that has been sealed up for over a century. A building that was closed up before the Civil War began. Let’s go inside and take a look. The interior of this building has remained untouched by human hands for decades and is filled with tools and utensils of the day. Imagine what we could learn from these priceless artifacts. How many buildings like this actually exist in the world today? Probably very few, if any. Yet, here in Michigan, we are surrounded by something just as valuable. Undiscovered shipwrecks. These underwater time capsules are loaded with implements and personal belongings of our ancestors, preserved by cold, deep, dark water.
Next program: After the
September program, the Grand Rapids Historical Society’s next program will be on October 12, 2016 at the Grand Rapids Public Library. Doug Taylor will be speaking about: Speedrome Gone, But Not Forgotten
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY Dear GRHS Members, I am not an adventurous person, but do love an adventure story. My favorite is the Ernest Shackleton story about his quest to walk across Antarctica. The book, Endurance by Alfred Lansing, is riveting and the photographs Frank Hurley took are amazing. So I look forward to our first speaker, Ross Richardson on September 14. The Grand River Times is the He will be telling the tale of his search for the newsletter of the Grand Rapids Westmoreland, a West Michigan treasure Historical Society, published six times annually. Established in 1894, shipwreck that was “missing” at the bottom of Lake Michigan for a very the Grand Rapids Historical Society long time. 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 Nan Schichtel, secretary Board members: Alan Bennett Charles Bocskey Thomas Dilley Marilyn Hamill Chris Kaupa Gordon Olson, emeritus Wilhelm Seeger, emeritus Jeff Sytsma Jim Winslow Tony Wright Kurt Yost Jessica Riley, editor Grand Rapids Historical Society c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
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Our October 12 program is about a love of mine from my youth, the Speedrome. I grew up on the north end of Grand Rapids near the intersection of Eastern and Eleanor. Although the Speedrome was quite far away, on summer nights we could sit on the back porch and hear the roar of the cars. As a teen I went and watched the cars go around and around and admired the daredevils who drove at such speeds and so close to each other. The speaker, Doug Taylor, has been collecting information and the history of this beloved racetrack for a very long time. The November 9 program is co-sponsored by the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council. Melissa Fox will present “The Second Line of Defense: Grand Rapids Women and the Great War”. This comes two days before Veterans Day and will add an important perspective to a troubled time in the world. Continued on page 5 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. 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% 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 2
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Continued from front page Lake Michigan is home to over one thousand reported shipwrecks. More of these shipwrecks have been found on the lake bottom in the past decade, then any other decade in history. Some say this is the golden age of Great Lakes shipwreck hunting. Advancements in technologies such as sonar and GPS mapping have demystified much of the lake bottom. Diving technology has improved also, with divers reaching depths of 300’ plus regularly. Improvements in underwater cameras allow divers to reveal these wrecks to the public in impressive fashion. As a general rule of thumb, the deeper the shipwreck, the better state of preservation that shipwreck will be in. Lake Michigan boasts some of the most intact and well preserved shipwrecks on the planet. One of these amazingly preserved shipwrecks lies on the bottom of Northern Lake Michigan near Sleeping Bear Dune and the Manitou Islands. In December of 1854 the 200’ wooden passenger steamer Westmoreland foundered in a winter gale. 17 of her crew and passengers perished, but 17 survived, and soon rumors of gold coins in her safe and whiskey barrels in her hold started circulating around the Great Lakes. Over the next 150 years, the Westmoreland would become one of the most sought after shipwrecks on the lakes with nearly twenty expeditions launched to find her. Come and learn about the legend, the history, and the discovery of Lake Michigan’s treasure shipwreck.
Ross Richardson is an author, maritime historian and shipwreck hunter. His stories have been featured in USA Today, WZZMTV, The Grand Rapids Press and many other media outlets. His books “The Search for the Westmoreland” and “Still Missing” share some of Michigan’s most mysterious stories. He is a former diver for the Benzie Area Public Safety Dive Team and a former Benzie County Sheriff’s Department Special Deputy.
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Grand Rapids Historical Society Programs 2017—2018 **All programs are held at the Grand Rapids Public Library in the Ryerson Auditorium**
THE SEARCH FOR THE WESTMORELAND: WEST MICHIGAN’S TREASURE SHIPWRECK September 14, 2017, 7:00 p.m. Presented by: Ross Richardson
SPEEDROME GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN October 12, 2017, 7:00 p.m. Special Slide Show starts at 6:30 p.m. Presented by: Doug Taylor
THE SECOND LINE OF DEFENSE: GRAND RAPIDS WOMEN AND THE GREAT WAR November 9, 2017, 7:00 p.m. Presented by: Melissa Fox
WAGOOSH: THE FOX: LOUIS CAMPAU February 8, 2018, 7:00 p.m. Presented by: Maureen Shirey
GRANT’S CANAL: THE UNION’S ATTEMPT TO BYPASS VICKSBURG March 8, 2018, 7:00 p.m. Presented by: David Bastian
GRAND RAPIDS – GATEWAY TO THE PLAYGROUND OF THE NATION: A LOOK BACK AT PROMOTING THE CITY AND WEST MICHIGAN April 12, 2018, 7:00 p.m. Presented by: Christine Byron and Tom Wilson
CHARLES GARFIELD: A FASCINATING CITIZEN
HERITAGE HILL IN GRAND RAPIDS HISTORY
January 18, 2018, 7:00 p.m. Presented by: Chris Reader
May 10, 2018, 7:00 p.m. Presented by: Thomas Logan
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Continued from page 2 Please check out our web site grhistory.org for the most up to date information. We also have a Facebook page Grand Rapids Historical Society. Board member Jim Winslow has been putting up a new photo each week, usually on Thursday. He has found some very interesting shots of old Grand Rapids. Many that I have never seen before. If you are on Facebook, check us out. Our programs will be in the auditorium on the second floor of the Main Library at 111 Library St NE. Doors to the auditorium open at 6:30 p.m. and we make every attempt to start the program right on time at 7:00 p.m. We hope to see you the second Thursdays this fall. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Program Committee for all their hard work putting together this grand calendar of programs. It takes lots of phone calls and emails to get this all together. Kudos go to Chuck, Chris and Marilyn. You have arranged a wide range of subject matter.
New Members Jeffrey Boris Carol Bredeweg Maureen Glupker Peter Meijer Ashley Phillips Cabrielle Rudisill Kathy Vance
Diocese of Grand Rapids to host Baraga Days—September 2 and 3 The Diocese of Grand Rapids will host the annual Baraga Days celebration this year. Baraga Days is an annual commemoration and celebration of Bishop Frederic Baraga, a legendary figure in the history of northern Michigan and pioneer of the American Catholic Church. Father Baraga came to the United States in 1830 as a missionary to the Odawa and Ojibwa tribes in the upper Great Lakes region. Father Baraga became known as the “snowshoe priest” for his many travels throughout the Upper Peninsula. In 1833, Father Baraga established the beginnings of Saint Andrew Church in Grand Rapids, when he built the first church, St. Mary’s Mission, amid Indian cornfields on the west bank of the Grand River. Around the same time, he chose a site which the Catholic Odawa wished to have as their center for prayer near the Lakeshore. The bluff is thought to be Pigeon Hill in present-day Muskegon, overlooking Muskegon Lake. He was the first bishop of the Diocese of Marquette, comprising the entire Upper Peninsula of northern Michigan.
Saturday: 3:00 p.m. - Native American Presentation and Drum Circle at Cathedral Square Center (360 Division Ave. S.) 6:30 p.m. - Mass in Slovenian at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew (301 Sheldon Ave. SE) 8:00 p.m. – Dinner and Fellowship at Cathedral Square Center (registration and pre-payment required) Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - “The Life and Times of Bishop Baraga – A Historical Review” by James A. Surrell, MD at the Crowne Plaza hotel (5700 28th St. SE) 1:30 p.m. – Drum Circle at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew 2:00 p.m. – Mass in English with Bishop Walkowiak at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew 4:00 p.m. – Banquet and Baraga Association Annual meeting at the Crowne Plaza (registration & prepayment) The Bishop Baraga Association, headquartered in the Diocese of Marquette, is dedicated to his memory and is the organizer of the annual Baraga Days celebration.
For more information visit the diocesan website: dioceseofgrandrapids.org Grand River Times
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
HAPPENING IN HISTORY: SEPTEMBER 2017 Western Michigan Genealogical Society Mini-Class Saturday, September 9, 2017, 12:00 p.m. Main Library-Ryerson Auditorium 111 Library St. NE
West Michigan Post Card Club Monday, September 11, 2017, 7:00 p.m. Faith United Methodist Church 2600 7th Street NW
Topic: What is the Census of Agriculture and how can we use it?
Topic: Mackinac Island’s Historic Cottages of the Rich and Famous
Presenter: Linda Guth
The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of U.S. farms & ranches and the people who operated them. It is taken once every 5 years, beginning back in 1840. Let’s learn about this census and how we can find out more about our farmer ancestors. Western Michigan Genealogical Society Saturday, September 9, 2017, 1:30 p.m. Main Library-Ryerson Auditorium 111 Library St. NE Topic: Naturalization Records Online: The Archives of Michigan & FamilySearch Presenter: Kris Rzepczynski
The Archives of Michigan and FamilySearch are partnering to digitize hundreds of thousands of Michigan naturalization records. With the assistance of the Michigan Genealogical Council and researchers like you, the index will ultimately be made available at both FamilySearch and Seeking Michigan, while the images themselves will be available exclusively at www.seekingmichigan.org. This program will cover the ins and outs of the indexing process and detail the current status of the project. A Senior Archivist at the Archives of Michigan, where he specializes in family history and Michigan research, Kris previously worked for a number of years at the Library of Michigan as the Michigan/ Genealogy Coordinator. He holds a MLIS from Wayne State University and a MA in History from Western Michigan University. Kris has presented at many national, state, and local conferences. Grand River Times
Presenter: Tom Buettner When federal troops left Fort Mackinac in 1895, the federal land became Michigan's first state park. Some lots on the east and west bluffs of the island, however, were leased by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission for the construction of summer cottages. This action attracted the very wealthy from Detroit, Chicago, and throughout the Midwest. Their desire to build cottages in keeping with the magnificence of the Grand Hotel, started the building of large "cottages." They are now some of the most beautiful homes in the Midwest. Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table Wednesday, September 20, 2017, 7:30 p.m. NOTE CHANGE: Doors open at 6:30 p.m. De Witt Student Center Kuyper College West Dining Room 3333 East Beltline NE David T. Dixon will be speaking about: The Lost Gettysburg Address Be sure to check out the Round Table at:
www.grcwrt.com
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY JOIN THE GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY OR GIVE A MEMBERSHIP AS A GIFT The Grand Rapids Historical Society sponsors eight lectures each year. 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 _____Lifetime:
$400.00 one-time fee
_____Individual/Family Membership
$30.00 per year
_____Senior Citizen or Student
$20.00 per year
Name: Address: City/State/Zip:
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
GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY PHOTO SLEUTH September's Photo Sleuth gets us ready for indoor sports with this negative from our extensive Robinson Photographic Studio Collection. Pictured is the Union High School basketball team in 1938, all ears and eyes on coach. If you know any of these young men, please email the Grand Rapids Public Library's Local History Department at localhis@grpl.org. Grand River Times
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Non-Profit Org. U.S. postage PAID Grand Rapids, MI Permit No. 234
Grand Rapids Historical Society, Inc. c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY The Search for the Westmoreland: West Michigan's Treasure Ship Wreck PRESENTED BY: Ross Richardson Thursday, September 14, 2017, 7:00 p.m.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Cover Story: September program Letter from our President page 2 Program Schedule 2017-2018 page 4 Baraga Days page 5 Happening in History page 6 Photo Sleuth page 7
For more information on Historical Society programs, please visit www.grhistory.org Grand River Times
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