Volume 43, number 1
September 2021
Grand River Times The Newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society
Inside this issue: Cover Story: On the Street Where You Live Letter from our President page 2 East Grand Rapids History Room page 3
On the Street Where You Live: Down the Block and Through the Years in East Grand Rapids, Part Two Thursday, September 9, 2021 via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqcqhqTIjGNfdDpFDLFxEIU9EyEmWfWLN
By: Mary Dersch
Take a virtual Zoom trip down the streets of old EGR via photos, ephemera and anecdotes. This program focuses on homes and people. Share memories! Mary has been the volunteer curator for the City of East Grand Rapids History Room since 1993. She has spent her career as a Schuler Books History Reprints librarian working in academic and public libraries and currently serves page 4 at the East Grand Rapids branch of the Kent District Library. Community volunteerism is a passion. She has served on the board of 2021 Michigan History Conference the Friends of the EGR Library since 1993 and was involved in campaigning for the expansion and renovation of the community page 5 center and library; the turtle and fish aquariums in the children’s room and giving countless local history presentations. She especially enjoys telling the East Grand Rapids’ unique history to all the second graders, 9/11 Exhibit who, as part of their class lessons, walk over to the community center page 6 to hear about Ramona Amusement Park and the Photo Sleuth large Reeds Lake steamboats page 7 of bygone days. Mary manages the East Grand Rapids History Room website https:// eastgrandrapidshistoryroom.weebly.com/ If you'd like to watch part one you can find it on the Grand Ben E. West House on Robinson Road Rapids Historical Society's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WsoaiCxaaI
The Dice Mineralogical Museum page 4
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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 Nan Schichtel, secretary Board members: Charles Bocskey Angela Cluley Thomas Dilley Matthew Ellis Chris Kaupa Gordon Olson, emeritus Ed Paciencia Wilhelm Seeger, emeritus Jeff Sytsma Julie Tabberer Jim Winslow 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
I don’t know about you, but I am still stepping gingerly out into the “new normal”. This means that I still have more time to read and my choice is often a local history book. My all-time favorite may be The History of the City of Grand Rapids by Albert Baxter, or at the very least the one I have turned the pages of more than any other I own. Sometimes a book on local history is a one-time read. Sometimes it becomes a reference book, even if not written with that in mind. Schuler’s Books has a nice selection of “out of print local titles” that can be viewed on their web site. The word local does not refer to Grand Rapids only. It also includes other close by cities and counties. A fellow board member saw the display they had and took a photo which shows they have vintage maps too. As we head toward fall I think of the times we toured cemeteries with Tom Dilley. Although Tom is no longer leading those tours his book The Art of Memory is available and you and a group of friends/family can take a tour with the book as a guide. I recently spent a few hours with George Bayard at the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives (GRAAMA). He has a nice selection of books about the local African American experience. Titles I saw available include African Americans in the Furniture City: The Struggle for Civil Rights in Grand Rapids by Randal Maurice Jelks. Continued of 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. 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
The East Grand Rapids History Room (located on the upper level of the library) The East Grand Rapids History Room is the only organization whose primary purpose is to obtain, preserve and display artifacts related to the rich history of this area. Items of local importance are obtained via auctions, estate sales and antique dealers. Some items are donations that need preservation or need to be readied for display. The History Room has a growing collection of historical artifacts, memorabilia, ephemera and audiovisual items unique to this area. These items are not circulated, as many are irreplaceable, primary sources of information. Accessibility of History Room materials to area citizens is a top priority. The History Room is not funded by the Kent District Library System or the branch library in which it is housed. It is supported by private donations and occasional contributions from the East Grand Rapids Friends of the Library, the City of East Grand Rapids and private citizens. The City of East Grand Rapids claims ownership and responsibility for the History Room facility and its contents. The City provides not dedicated funding. Since 1993 Mary Dersch has been responsible for maintenance of the collection. The City of East Grand Rapids manages the funds for the History Room. Monies received for use in the History Room make it possible for immediate purchases of unique historical items as they become available, books and preservation and display of existing holdings, storage of materials and presentations to the public through library programs and printed publications. The History Room is dedicated to the memory of Marie Jay Cady, former EGR resident and a most influential individual in West Michigan. (taken from The East Grand Rapids History Room website, https://eastgrandrapidshistoryroom.weebly.com/
Please welcome our newest member, Karl Kettelhut, to the Grand Rapids Historical Society.
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Please be sure to check out our Facebook page for updates and information on our upcoming programs in October and November. You can find Zoom links and descriptions of future programs.
https://www.facebook.com/ GrandRapidsHistoricalSociety
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
GR Meteorite Sighting by Nan Schichtel A recent GRHS newsletter included a short article about the Grand Rapids Meteorite. Soon after publication, I received an email from Dr. Clarence Menninga, Professor Emeritus at Calvin University, inviting me to visit the meteorite on display at Calvin University. Menninga’s interest in the meteorite spurred the recent new exhibit at the Bruce Dice Mineralogical Museum. Dr. Menninga kindly provided a private tour of the meteorite as well as a look at other mineralogic specimens in the Dice. Somehow, this museum-lover missed hearing about the Dice Mineralogical Museum! Gems, minerals, hunks of Michigan copper, and amazingly detailed fossils are professionally displayed, some with copies of pertinent scholarly journal articles. All are artfully and educationally displayed attested to by the Museum winning the 2013 American School and University Outstanding Design for Exhibition Space/Galleries Award. There is even an education table with mineral fragments you can hold in your hand - if you can lift them. The Dice is a local gem (pun-intended) you do not want to miss. Museum hours may change during the school year, so email Dicemuseum@calvin.edu to ask about when you can visit - and definitely check out the website: https://calvin.edu/academics/ departments-programs/geo/bruce-dice-mineralogical-museum/
Local independent bookstore Schuler Books, located at 2660 28th St. SE, has a great selection of local history reprints and birds eye view maps. This photo was take near the front door. There are a number of interesting books about local history, such as a book about the history of the Grand Rapids Fire Department as well as an atlas of Ottawa of Kent counties, among other unique titles. Schuler Books is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Photo courtesy: Nan Schichtel
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Continued from page 2 I have not yet read City Within A City: The Black Freedom Struggle In Grand Rapids Michigan by Todd E. Robinson. That really needs to be on my list. The better I understand the perspective of others the better I understand the city I love. There are other local books stores that carry local stories, authors and histories. Seek them out. Do you have a favorite local history book? Let us know on our Facebook page. Don’t forget to check out the program offerings of the Historical Society of Michigan. Their programs are virtual, which means you can enjoy them from your most comfy chair. Check out www.hsmichigan.org to find out what is coming up. The History Hounds programming has some great topics. Register for the program and you will receive a link to join in. (The GRHS is an organizational member) Back to “new normal” - we will still be presenting programs virtually until we can figure out a safe way to meet in person. Please be assured that we would love to see you in person, but out of a sense of safety for all it will not be this fall.
Register for the 2021 Michigan History Conference The 147th Annual Meeting and Michigan History Conference will be held virtually September 24—25, 2021 The Michigan History Conference usually moves to a different location each year—but, for 2021, the conference will be virtual. Join them as they celebrate all aspects of Michigan’s history. Learn more about the conference below and sign up today. The 147th virtual Michigan History Conference includes….
Keynotes
Breakout sessions, workshops, and virtual tours
On-Demand video library with bonus content, available at any time
Exhibitors/vendors
Networking opportunities
Register here: https://hsmichigan.org/conferences/annual-state-history -conference/mhc-online-registration/
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
9/11 Exhibit—Parchment Community Library (401 S Riverview Dr. Parchment, MI) September 11, 2001: The Day That Changed the World exhibit presents the history of 9/11, its origins, and its ongoing implications through the personal stories of those who witnessed and survived the attacks. Told across fourteen posters, this exhibition includes archival photographs and images of artifacts from New York City’s 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s permanent collection. It explores the consequences of terrorism on individual lives and communities at the local, national, and international levels and encourages critical thinking about the legacies of 9/11. The exhibit was developed by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy Demands Wisdom. Installation of the exhibit was made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Parchment Community Library. The exhibit was put together by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum with the help of the National Endowment for the Humanities, according to the Parchment Community Library. For more information see: https://www.parchmentlibrary.org/sept-11-exhibit
Memorializing Michigan Lives Lost on 9/11 Terence Edward Adderley, Jr. (May 12, 1979–September 11, 2001) — Royal Oak David Alger (December 15, 1943–September 11, 2001) — Grosse Pointe Todd M. Beamer (November 24, 1968–September 11, 2001) — Flint Eric L. Bennett (October 17, 1971–September 11, 2001) — Flint Frank Joseph Doyle (January 29, 1962–September 11, 2001) — Detroit Bradley V. Hoorn (June 3, 1979–September 11, 2001) — Kalamazoo Darya Lin (August 13, 1969–September 11, 2001) — Ann Arbor Peter Edward Mardikian (August 27, 1972–September 11, 2001) — Kalamazoo Margaret Elaine Mattic (November 8, 1949–September 11, 2001) — Detroit Albert Ogletree (December 25, 1951–September 11, 2001) Marsha D. Ratchford (May 26, 1967–September 11, 2001) — Detroit Joshua Alan Rosenthal (June 4, 1957–September 11, 2001) — Detroit Brock Joel Safronoff (May 16, 1975–September 11, 2001) — Traverse City Eric Raymond Thorpe (April 17, 1966–September 11, 2001) — Grand Rapids Brian John Terrenzi (September 21, 1972–September 11, 2001) Lisa Marie Terry (January 31, 1959–September 11, 2001) — Highland Park Meredith Lynn Whalen (August 9, 1978–September 11, 2001) — Canton Marvin Roger Woods (January 6, 1944–September 11, 2001) — Owendale Sandra Lee Wright (August 7, 1944–September 11, 2001) — Detroit This listing of names was compiled from the 9/11 National Memorial
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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.
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: 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
GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY PHOTO SLEUTH Our September Photo Sleuth selection comes from the Robinson Photo Studio Collection and is dated June 11, 1953. A posed photograph of a group of four people meeting at the home of Mrs. Bissell, 234 College Ave, NE. Three men, sit on a window seat and a woman sits in a chair and points at the paper. Names are unknown. 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 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Cover Story: On the Street Where You Live Letter from our President page 2 East Grand Rapids History Room page 3 The Dice Mineralogical Museum page 4 Schuler Books History Reprints page 4 2021 Michigan History Conference page 5 9/11 Exhibit 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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