Volume 40, number 8
May 2019
Grand River Times The Newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society Inside this issue: Cover Story: May program Letter from our President page 2 Baxter Award Winner page 3
Lesser Known Grand Rapids Landmarks PRESENTED BY: Michael J. Page Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 7:30 p.m. Note different day of the week
Delton Conference page 4 April Photo Sleuth Solved page 5 Happening in History page 6 Photo Sleuth page 7
Search: Grand Rapids Historical Society
Grand River Times
At the Bluff Banquet and Conference Center (2035 28th St. SE)
For his presentation, Mike Page will draw upon his ten years of experience working with the Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission, neighborhood groups, architects, developers, property owners and individuals involved in the process to identify, survey, and designate properties as local historic landmarks. He will focus on the lesser known, yet significant, properties including private homes, public parks, institutions, commercial properties and other structures and sites. Most are not identified with markers and are therefore “hidden in plain site”. Many of us are aware of the popular landmarks such as the John Ball Memorial (statue), the Civil War Memorial (statue) and The Castle. However there are dozens more landmarks that have gone through the designation process and are just as important to our City’s history. The landmarks to be identified during the program are located in all quadrants of the city. One landmark is said to have been frequented by “ladies of the evening”. Another is rumored to be haunted. Stones from the Grand River were used to build an early settler’s home that is now a designated landmark. Except for one, all the historic landmarks to be discussed are outside the existing historic districts (i.e.: Heritage Hill, Heartside, Cherry Hill, Fairmount Square, and Wealthy Theater Historic District). 1 Continued on page 5
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY Dear GRHS Members,
The May banquet, meeting, Baxter Award announcement and program is moving back to the Bluff Banquet Center on 28th Street, seemingly not a very historic area of Grand Rapids. I love doing research so I dug into City Directories and looked through photographs at grpmcollections.org to see what I could find. 28th Street was known as Laraway Road until 1949. The land where the Banquet Center is located had not been annexed into Grand Rapids yet so I didn’t find out much about that particular The Grand River Times is the newsletter of the Grand Rapids piece of property. The land just west of Kalamazoo Avenue was an area of mkt Historical Society, published six gdnr or market gardeners. There was Clarence Ryan, a poultry breeder and times annually. Established in 1894, the Grand Rapids Historical Society Robert King had a golf practice range. The Oak Grove cemetery, on a parcel of is dedicated to exploring the history land northwest of the intersection, was established about 1839 by Paris of West Michigan; to discover its Township. There is history. romance and tragedy, its heroes Although I was not able to find any early photographs of the area and scoundrels, its leaders and its around 28th Street and Kalamazoo Avenue, I did find a couple of photographs ordinary citizens. The Society collects and preserves our heritage, from about 1930 taken at the intersection of 28th Street and South Division. 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 Matthew Ellis Chris Kaupa Gordon Olson, emeritus Wilhelm Seeger, emeritus Jeff Sytsma Julie Tabberer Jim Winslow Kurt Yost Jessica Riley, editor Grand Rapids Historical Society c/o Grand Rapids Public Library 111 Library St. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Website: www.grhistory.org Grand River Times
Check them out for yourself at grpmcollection.org. the left photo is 178044.600. The right photograph is 178044.601. 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
Baxter Award Winner—George Bayard The Baxter Award was created in 1980 by the society to honor persons who have made significant contributions to the preservation and interpretation of Grand River Valley history. The award is named in honor of Albert Baxter, one of Grand Rapids’ early historians who published, History of the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1891. 2019 recipient of the Albert Baxter Award: George Bayard George Bayard is the founding director of the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives (GRAAMA). The mission statement is to “Promote, preserve, display, collect and honor the lives, culture, history and accomplishments of African, African-American and connected peoples in the Greater Grand Rapids Michigan community”. George has been active in our community for decades. The Museum is the culmination of his work, his passion, and desire to share knowledge. It is for these reasons and more that the Grand Rapids Historical Society is honoring George Bayard with the 2019 Albert Baxter Award. When George moved to Grand Rapids he opened a store that was an art sales gallery featuring work by people of color, a frame shop, plus a gift and book store. It quickly became a gathering place for the African-American community in Grand Rapids. He had been collecting art, but over time started collecting other historical items. George began considering the creation of GRAAMA about eight years ago after there was a flood at his shop and it had to close so it could be clean up. When asked about partners and mentors, George listed many including currently serving on the Grand Rapids Public Museum Collections Committee, presenting at their Ethnic Heritage Festival and collaborating with the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia of Ferris State University. The effort to develop GRAAMA really took hold when he received advice from Margaret Burrows, who left a blueprint of how to proceed toward the development and opening of the Museum. Ms. Burrows was the founder of the DuSable Museum of African-American History in Chicago Illinois. GRAAMA is more than a collection of archives, it is creating archives. “Grandma’s Voices” is a project that sets up interviews with local African-Americans who tell their story. These stories are archived at GRAAMA for current and future study. Though they are not as tangible as physical objects, they are as important. GRAAMA utilizes interns from GVSU and Kendall College, connects with sororities and fraternities, goes out to schools, works with the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, and is part of the local committee putting together the Midwest Museums Conference to be held in Grand Rapids in the fall of 2019.
Continued on page 4 Grand River Times
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY Continued from page 3 Beyond the work of GRAAMA, George is on the City of Grand Rapids Arts Advisory Board, works on Celebration of Soul with the GR Symphony, Soul of the City celebration sponsored by the Grand Rapids Public Library, and works on photograph identification with the Public Museum and the Public Museum. George was interviewed by Women’s Lifestyle Magazine in 2017 and said “We want our museum to be a place for all people. A lot of times people think African American history and culture is separate from American culture and history, and it’s not, it is part of it.” When asked what he is most proud of George said that being the recipient of the Outstanding Venue with ArtPrize 10 was on the list, and “Riot, Race and Reconciliation” a recently produced production on the Grand Rapids riots of 1967, offering the perspective of the people living in the neighborhoods most impacted by the unrest. He also mentioned “West Michigan Rhythm and Race – the History of Minstrel Shows and Blackface” exhibit. GRAAMA, ( www.graama.org) located at 87 Monroe Center in the heart of downtown, is a temporary home. Progress is being made on securing a permanent home. George will persevere.
27th Annual Michigan One-Room Schoolhouse Conference Bernard Historical Museum and Brown School, Delton, Michigan Saturday, May 18, 2019
The venue this year is the Bernard Historical Museum which is composed of eight buildings including the North Pine Lake School, also known as the Brown School.
Featured presentations will include an introduction to our new website, a session on researching a one-room school and an introduction to the museum site by a member of the Bernard Historical Museum Board.
Lunch will be catered by the Local Grind Coffee House, followed by a short business meeting. The Schoolhouse of the Year Award will be presented at the conclusion.
The afternoon program will consist of tours of the Bernard Museum, its’ schoolhouse and a tour of the Doster School, Gun Plain #7, which has been renovated into a period residence.
The annual conference is dedicated to the memory of Larry Schlack, one of the founding members of MORSA, who also served as president and treasurer of the organization. Registration is available on-line at miorsa.org or by email to: Jane Johnson (tjjj@wowway.com). The fee is $35 which includes morning coffee and rolls and lunch. Grand River Times
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Continued from front page Special Bonus: Because of his family ties to the city’s northeast area, he will discuss some properties in the Creston area that he believes are potential historic landmarks… and bring little known facts about existing structures and sites. About the Speaker: Mike was born and raised in Grand Rapids. His direct ancestor, Loren M. Page, arrived here in 1836. Mike is a retired City of Grand Rapids employee, and for 19 years served as the staff support to the Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission. After retirement, Mike worked at the Grand Rapid Public Museum. Mike enjoys property research, genealogy/family history and during the spring and summer months, he and his wife are one the host families for baseball players with the West Michigan Whitecaps. Mike has been known to sing “The Star Spangled Banner” prior to the games and has also led the fans in singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”. NOTE: This presentation will be held after the annual banquet. If not attending the dinner portion of the evening, you can still attend the presentation at 7:30 p.m.
Photo Sleuth Solved This photo of the 1949 South High School basketball team was featured in the April 2019 edition of Grand River Times. The picture was found in the Robinson Photo Studio Collection and no names were attached to it. Fortunately for us, we received an email with the names of these five young men. They are from left to right: Jack Andreason, Daniel West, Rodney White, Jack Kirby and B. Metzner. Terry and Janette Konkle, both members of the Grand Rapids Historical Society and graduates of South High, emailed us with these names. We would like to thank both of them for taking the time to identify the young men in this photo.
New Members Penny Larsen Nicole Rasch Dian Thomas Dave Williams
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
HAPPENING IN HISTORY: MAY 2019 Western Michigan Genealogical Society Mini-Class Saturday, May 4, 2019, 12:00 p.m. Main Library-Ryerson Auditorium 111 Library St. NE
West Michigan Postcard Club Monday, May 13, 2019, 7:00 p.m. Faith United Methodist Church 2600 7th St. NW
Topic: Different Types of Censuses
Topic: Saugatuck by Camera: Photography and Tourism from 1870 to the Present
Presenter: Linda Guth Did you know there’s more than just the US Federal Census? Let’s learn about US Federal census, other countries censuses, State censuses, Agricultural census, etc. Western Michigan Genealogical Society Saturday, May 4, 2019, 1:30 p.m. Main Library—Ryerson Auditorium 111 Library St. NE Topic: Resources For Genealogical Research In Foreign Countries Presenter: Katherine Willson
Presenters: Eric Gollannek Residents often say that Saugatuck must be one the most photographed places in Michigan. From the 1870’s to the present, a steady stream of cottagers and artists, from across the Midwest, documented the area through photography. We’ll take a look at views that interested people in the golden age of photography, including Mount Baldhead, the Big Pavilion, the shoreline, streetscapes, and souvenir portraits.
Once you’ve discovered your immigrant ancestor’s home country, how will you go about finding documents generated while s/he was still there, and how will you research his/her parents? We’ll discuss available resources for beginning your research in foreign countries, including how to locate foreign language genealogy terms and online maps providing contextual information on shifting country borders.
Katherine R. Willson of Ann Arbor, MI is a highly acclaimed and professionally trained national public speaker. Her passion for genealogy combined with practical and creative strategies keeps her audience fully engaged and actively participating in these energetic, entertaining presentations Grand River Times
Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table Wednesday, May 15, 2019, 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. De Witt Student Center Kuyper College 3333 East Beltline NE John Simmons will be speaking about General Hood, Charging into History.
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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 Our May Photo Sleuth selection comes from the Robinson Photo Studio Collection's negatives. This picture of adorable children, one in a clown costume, walking in a Freedom Day parade, is from August of 1948. If anyone in this picture looks familiar, please email the Grand Rapids Historical Society at grhs.local@gmail.com
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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
Lesser Known Grand Rapids Landmarks PRESENTED BY:
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Cover Story: May program Letter from our President page 2
Michael J. Page Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 7:30 p.m.
Baxter Award Winner page 3
Note different day of the week
At the Bluff Banquet and Conference Center (2035 28th St. SE)
Delton Conference page 4 April Photo Sleuth Solved 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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