Volume 42, number 5
February 2021
Grand River Times The Newsletter of the Grand Rapids Historical Society
The Grand Rapids Historical Society Presents: GR Crime Tours Inside this issue:
Wednesday, February 17, 2021, 7:00 p.m. Cover Story: GR Crime Tours Letter from our President page 2
(note different day of the week)
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/ WN_h1LUQnWQQ6OedcRpdH_m3A
Dominican Sisters Project page 3
Travel back in time through the streets of Grand Rapids on a true-crime tour from the comfort of your own couch! Featuring over a dozen stories of crime, mystery, and urban legends that took place in the area, your comedic host will transport you back in time to a buzzing River City whose brick streets cover
Black History Tours page 4 History Hounds page 6 Photo Sleuth page 7
some ominous secrets. Speaker Bio: Eirann Betka-Pope (they/them) Beyond being a true-crime lover, Eirann Betka-Pope is a producer, director, performer, teacher, writer, improviser, artist and activist in Grand Rapids. They are the founder and president of Funny Girls and former owner of The Fuse Box, and represent one-half of Betka-Pope Productions. They teach classes at both The Comedy Project Training Center, and The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre School for Theatre Arts. In their spare time, they enjoy travel, being outdoors, hunting for ghosts, and cooking. Eirann brings a passionate love for both history and dad jokes to each tour.
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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 Thomas Dilley Matthew Ellis Chris Kaupa Gordon Olson, emeritus 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 Email: grhs.local@gmail.com Grand River Times
The internet is a great tool, but can be a burden when researching a simple question becomes a project and takes on a life of its own. Crowd sourcing information is great, until the string of comments gets so long people no longer know what the original question or comment was. There are a couple of local history Facebook pages that are fun to follow. It is not uncommon that a question gets lost in the answers and paths that veer off become new questions. Such was the case when a photo of Campau Square on April 26, 1898 was posted. It showed the streets and roof tops filled with people willing to volunteer for the Spanish American War. Somewhere in the comments about the buildings in the picture a person said they, as a small child, lived in the Pantlind Exhibitors Building. Well that made no sense. The exhibitor buildings were showrooms for furniture companies. The commenter must be mistaken. Michael Page seemed to confirm what I felt was true, furniture showrooms. Because the commenter was so sure I dug into my small collection of City Directories and in my 1949 City Directory I found that Pantlind had an Exhibitors Building https://www.grpmcollections.org on the north side of Lyon Street 178044.968 immediately west of Monroe. 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. 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
“Somewhere in the West”—An Archives Story Map Project By: Jennifer Morrison, Associate Director of Archives, Dominican Sisters
The archives of the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids is excited to share our Story Map entitled “Somewhere in the West: The Historical Geography of the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters” (https:// arcg.is/1PHjjq) focusing on our Michigan pioneer predecessors. Incorporating early photographs with information from historic annals and other primary sources (including the diary of a Sister born in Quebec a year after the American Civil War ended), “Somewhere in the West” depicts how the Sisters first came to Michigan. These true pioneers relinquished basic human comforts and set out in boats and buggies into the freshly settled woods of the lower peninsula to be of service to the children and families in these new parishes. The work was hard and the conditions so poor that Sisters literally risked their health and even their lives on these missions. In doing so, they embodied the dying vision of their Mother Superior who saw a vast peninsula ‘somewhere in the West’ dotted white with Dominican habits. Story Maps are produced through an online application that combines text and images, and can include maps and other elements, to tell stories in a creative and interactive format. Our Story Map began as a collaborative project between our archivists and a geospatial analysis class led by Dr. Mary Clinthorne at Aquinas College. Archivists for the DSGR and Dr. Clinthorne began working early in 2020 to plan the project. A member of our leadership team and one of our archivists visited the Aquinas class to deliver an overview of the history and culture of the DSGR and discuss how archives and old records are organized and used. Students engaged with the story of the Sisters. The next step was a group visit by the students to our archives at Marywood so they could examine materials to use in presenting the history of our early Michigan missions. Unfortunately, the spread of the Covid 19 virus necessitated the cancellation of in person classes at Aquinas College and the closing of Marywood to outside visitors. The project moved forward, however, because some materials were available electronically, and due to the efforts of Sister Michael Ellen Carling, who scanned and emailed primary sources to the students. Once the Marywood campus reopened to some staff, archivists were able to regain access to the collection and complete the project. We hope you enjoy scrolling through “Somewhere in the West”.
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Join Grand Rapids Running Tours for a FREE walk through Grand Rapids' Black history. This tour specifically examines the African American population from 1826 until the present; The remarkable people, places, events, issues, legends and facts about being Black in Grand Rapids. Tour guide Caroline Cook will walk you through a maze of touchstones in #DowntownGR that prompt intriguing narrative. All tours meet at Rosa Parks Circle. First come, first served with a twenty five person maximum. Please bring your masks and practice social distancing. Five different dates available in February. More information about signing up can be found at: www.facebook.com/events/786263811926739/
Black History Tour of Downtown Grand Rapids Take a free interactive tour of Grand Rapids’ Civil Rights history. Sponsored through Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., (DGRI) and created by local high school students, residents were asked to share their stories and knowledge of African-American leadership, culture and community in Grand Rapids. The result? An interactive, self-guided walking tour that highlights some of the historical moments of the African American experience and legacy in Grand Rapids. Credit: Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
The History Tour of Downtown Grand Rapids encompasses two miles with accompanying podcasts narrated by City Commissioner and Grand Rapids Urban League President, Joe Jones. The tour features 11 points of interest, starting with Helen Claytor who was not only the first black President of the Grand Rapids YWCA, but also held the same unique position at the national level; other stops include the historic Fountain Street Church, which has hosted Malcolm X and Langston Hughes; and Crescent Park, where the urban renewal legacy of Lyman Parks, Grand Rapids’ first African American mayor, is still seen in the city’s ever-expanding skyline. Take this tour, or other GR Walks tours, any time by downloading the GR Walks smart phone app at www.grwalks.com. The app is also available for download in the Apple App Store and Android's Google Play. This tour is a current exhibition of the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives. For more information see www.graama.org Grand River Times
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY Continued from page 2 More interesting was the fact that the building was being used as City Veterans Housing apartments that year. Michael was able to find the family name in the 1951 Directory and that they lived in unit 306. I was able to find a picture of the building in the Public Museum archives. I learned something new, which I find real satisfying. The internet is a great way for us, as history minded people, to watch programming that we are unable to gather to see. I am thankful for the permissions that our speakers have allowed us to show their presentations on our YouTube channel. As of the writing of this newsletter the October, November and January programs are still available for viewing. I encourage you to take advantage of this. What I find real satisfying is that those who are interested in local history but have moved out of the area can enjoy the programs. I also am thankful for the board members who have guided the society through this unprecedented time when we cannot gather in person and made it possible to continue our programs. Please read about the project that the Grand Rapids Dominican nuns have just completed. There is information in this newsletter. Marywood Academy was an all-girls high school in Grand Rapids and the Mother House for them. Dominican nuns taught at several of the Catholic schools including Blessed Sacrament on the northeast end, and Catholic Central. They also were involved with Aquinas College and so much more. Their history is intertwined with Grand Rapids history. A final note. We were unable to have our annual meeting last May due to gathering restrictions. We will hold a brief meeting to vote in new trustees and conduct business just prior to our February program.
SAVE THE DATES Tentative future dates of GRHS Zoom presentations New Members Thursday, March 11, 2021 Thursday, April 8, 2021 Please note these are the dates of our regularly scheduled programs. These programs are still meeting via Zoom and we are working on topics. Please check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ GrandRapidsHistoricalSociety for more information and for the Zoom link. These presentations begin at 7:00 p.m. Grand River Times
Please welcome the following new members to GRHS: Betty De Fouw Gerald Formsma Sarah Mieras Dave Prouty Frank Russo
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GRAND RAPIDS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
HISTORY HOUNDS LECTURE SERIES: FEBRUARY 2021 As a benefit of your membership in the Grand Rapids Historical Society, you have free access to historical programming from the Historical Society of Michigan. The History Hounds Lecture Series http://hsmichigan.org/programs/historyhounds-lecture-series/ offers virtual programming via Zoom. For the schedule, links to registration, and other information if you need help getting up-to-speed with virtual programs, go to the HSM History Hounds http:// hsmichigan.org/programs/history-hounds-lecture-series/ – select HH Registration – Member – fill out the form, selecting “member of an Organizational Member of HSM” and enter Grand Rapids Historical Society when prompted.
A Window Into the Stomach: Dr. Beaumont’s Experiments in Digestion Wednesday, February 10, 2021 7:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.
with Craig Wilson, Mackinac State Historic Parks
The River’s End and the Writer’s Pen: James Oliver Curwood of Owosso Tuesday, February 16, 2021 12:00 p.m.—1:00 p.m.
with Denice Grace, Owosso Historical Commission
The Old Man and the Lake: Ernest Hemingway in Michigan Wednesday, February 24, 2021 7:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.
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with Chris Struble, Michigan Hemingway Society
History Hounds In 1822, a musket blast opened a hole in Alexis St. Martin’s stomach. The wound healed, but the opening remained. St. Martin became a human guinea pig as Dr. William Beaumont experimented with food dropped into his subject’s stomach to study digestion. Come to learn about this amazing-but-true episode that transformed American medicine. History Hounds Off the Leash Author and conservationist James Oliver Curwood of Owosso wrote action-adventure stories set in the Yukon and Alaska. His books inspired scores of movies and made him one of America’s best-selling authors. Join us to explore his life and learn about his famous studio, Curwood Castle, that still stands in Owosso.
History Hounds National Edition Some might find it surprising that Ernest Hemingway—a one-of-a-kind American writer with an international legacy—spent a lot of his formative years in Michigan. Join the speaker to learn about Hemingway’s summers vacationing near Petoskey, his important life events in our state, sites that remain to this day, and more. 6
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 February Photo Sleuth selection comes from the Robinson Photo Studio Collection. Three cute children are at a Valentine's Day booth at Madison Elementary School. This picture is dated February 11, 1943. If anyone in this picture looks familiar please email the Grand Rapids Historical Society at grhs.local@gmail.com 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 Grand Rapids Historical Society Presents: GR Crime Tours Wednesday, February 17, 2021, 7:00 p.m. (note different day of the week) Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/ WN_h1LUQnWQQ6OedcRpdH_m3A
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Inside this issue: Cover Story: GR Crime Tours Letter from our President page 2 Dominican Sisters Project page 3 Black History Tours page 4 History Hounds 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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