MESSENGER | Holland Museum Newsletter | Spring 2024

NEWS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hello Members, Welcome to the Spring issue of the MESSENGER.

Spring is one of my favorite times of the year when flowers emerge, and trees brighten with new growth.

Our celebration commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Cappon House is well underway. There are many exhibits and events that will take place over the next few months. These are opportunities to learn about the significant history and legacy of the Cappon family, and traditions from the Victorian period.

In March we opened the new lobby exhibit, Authentically Victorian: Reflecting on the Cappon House Restoration which took place in the 1990s. This display focuses on many projects involved in the building’s restoration to its 1902 appearance. Later this month, the Focus Gallery will feature, A Stitch in Time: Lavina Cappon’s Tulip Time Legacy . One of Isaac Cappon’s 16 children, Lavina,

was a Holland Public School teacher and had a major influence in shaping the aesthetic of Tulip Time costumes. She was also the force behind making the family home a museum for the community.

Have you heard? History Mystery Trivia Night is returning. The popular fundraiser will be held at the Holland Armory on April 18th. Table teams compete in several rounds of trivia encompassing a variety of topics. Enjoy good food and drinks, fun invention activities, and an opportunity to learn about the impact the Museum is making. All proceeds benefit the Museum’s educational programming for the year.

This is my last issue of MESSENGER as Executive Director. My retirement begins at the end of June. I am grateful for my time working in this community, with an amazing staff and board, and for this important institution. I thank all of you for the support and encouragement you have provided me personally and for the Museum overall. Every day, you help us to fulfill our mission to preserve our past and imagine our future. In my role as a member and

donor, I look forward to seeing where the Museum goes and the impact it will have in the years to come.

I hope to see you at the Museum, or historical houses, soon!

Ricki L. Levine

FOCUS GALLERY ON EXHIBIT

On display April 26-September 16

Member Reception

April 25

5:00-7:00 PM

Holland Museum

Discover how the tradition of wearing authentic Dutch costumes during Tulip Time began. This exhibit highlights Lavina Cappon, former Holland Public Schools teacher, and explores her influence in shaping the unique aesthetic of Tulip Time through strict dress protocol.

LOBBY GALLERY

Authentically Victorian: Reflecting on the Cappon House Restoration

March 1–July 29, 2024

Authentically Victorian: Reflecting on the Cappon House Restoration focuses on the various architectural projects involved in restoring the historic home to its 1902 appearance. Additionally, this exhibit explores the Cappon House’s cultural and architectural significance to the City of Holland.

2023 SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARD

The Holland Museum was awarded the 2023 Social Justice Award In Education by the Holland Human Relations Commission. In telling the stories of all individuals, families, and communities that make up Holland, the Holland Museum’s 2023 exhibitions and Cultural Lens programming highlighted the voices of diverse and frequently marginalized local populations: Black Eden: Idlewild Past, Present, and Future, Chief Waukazoo’s band of Odawa Indians, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, African American Quilting, and YAS Queen! The History of Drag to name a few. Smithsonian

ENERGY THEME

New Spark!Lab activities start April 12!

Explore the power of wind with the Wind Tunnel, figure out a rubber band’s potential energy by creating a catapult and rubber band spinners, experiment with electrical power using Snap Circuits, and design a Rube Goldberg-type maze with Soundscapes to uncover the mysteries of Kinetic energy.

Spark!Lab Hours

Friday: 11:00 AM–5:00 PM

Saturday: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM

Summer Hours

Start June 10

Monday, Friday, Saturday from 11:00 AM–3:00 PM

Spark!Lab is included with Museum Admission. Check our calendar for FREE Second Mondays from 4:00-7:00 PM.

Special FREE Family Event! “Power Up” with Us!

Monday, June 10

4:00-7:00 p.m.

Holland Museum Spark!Lab

FREE Second Monday family program Sponsored by THE MEIJER FOUNDATION

Jennifer Soukhome, Energy Specialist, Holland Board of Public Works, will conduct 5 fun energy demonstrations, including:

tromagnetic Fishing

ircuit Cards

ks in Spark!Lab

ll About Combustion otors and Generators

Families can do their own experiments! Enjoy an energy scavenger hunt and take home goody bags provided by Holland BPW.

EXPLORE THE COLLECTION

The Holland Fire Department

By Rick Jenkins, Holland Museum Registrar

We have several hundred items in our collection that tell the story of the Holland Fire Department.

And we’re always on the lookout for more.

The blue uniform jacket belonged to Bert Ten Brink, a firefighter from 1944 to 1961.

The speaking trumpet belonged to John Kramer (1838-1913), a member of Columbia Hose Co. No 2.

The photograph shows John C. Dyke, A member of Eagle Hose Company No. 1 in the 1890s.

The red ribbon belonged to John.

Explore nearly 20,000 items in the Digital Collection https://hollandmuseum.org/collection

Scan for Digital Collection

NEW HOLLAND MUSEUM TEAM MEMBERS!

The Holland Museum would like to welcome our newest team members...

Danial Jones Visitor Services Coordinator

SUMMER WALKING TOURS ARE BACK!

Jen Louks Registrar’s Assistant

NEW HEARING LOOP SYSTEM

In Memory

Our deepest condolences to the families and friends of:

• David Altena

• Robert Lee Rynbrandt, Sr.

• Alice Kooyers

• Marie Blauwkamp

Thank you for being long time members, supporters, and friends of the Holland Museum.

If we missed someone who should be included, please let us know.

VOLUNTEER NEWS

We are looking for Tulip Time volunteers to help out at the Museum and the historic houses. We provide training!

If you are interested, please contact Deb Wake: debra@hollandmuseum.org (616)-796-3080.

JUNE

Local Reciprocal Partnerships

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, Grand Rapids, MI | grcm.org

JULY

Lakeshore Museum Center, Muskegon, MI | lakeshoremuseum.org

SUMMER FUN!

Old Fashioned Ice Cream

Grab your walking shoes, a bottle of water, and enjoy these popular tours led by our summer interns and docents:

• Public Art

• 1871 Holland Fire

• Historic Architecture

Schedule

Wednesdays, June 19-August 14, 7:00-8:00 pm. Cost: Members $5/person, Non-Members $7/person.

For more information and to register, visit hollandmuseum.org. NEW! Headsets for

Thanks to a grant from the Holland Zeeland Community Foundation, and support from Holland Doctors of Audiology, programs are more accessible in our Spark!Lab space with the Hearing Loop system.

Social at the Cappon House

Saturday, July 13 | 10:00–3:00pm

Enjoy FREE ice cream, yard games, art activities, and historic demonstrations (new this year!). FREE annual family event!

Historic Houses Summer Hours Open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00–3:00 pm starting June 14

Cost: $7/adults, $5/seniors, $3/students, children 6 and under and Holland Museum members are FREE.

hollandmuseum.org | HOLLAND MUSEUM

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Holland Museum

31 W. 10th Street

Holland, MI 49423

Address service requested

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Chanda Miller | Chair

Elizabeth Colburn | Vice Chair

Mark Johnson | Treasurer

Jen Griffith | Secretary

DIRECTORS

Adam Devereaux

Michael Doversberger

Tricia Dreier

Charlie ( ) Elwood

Loraine Griffin

STAFF

Clare Heyboer

Victor M. Perez

Nick Rolinski

Nancy Stryker

Ricki L. Levine, Executive Director

Michelle Stempien, Education and Community Programs Manager

Maddalena Frissora, Exhibits Coordinator

Rick Jenkins, Registrar

Debra Wake, Education and Volunteer Coordinator

Sarah Grant Joriman, Administrator

Paula Dunlap, Accounting Administrator

David Hawley-Lowry, Facilities Manager

Mary Elhart, Collections Assistant

Danial Jones, Visitor Services Coordinator

Samuel Vega, Visitor Services Associate

Emily Leegwater, Social Media Specialist

Jen Louks, Registrar’s Assistant

Mike Dunlap, Custodian

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

APRIL

Spring Break Discovery Camp

APR 2-4 | Museum | 10:00 am–3:00 pm

Three days of history, experimenting and fun for 2nd-5th graders. See website for cost, schedules, and activities.

FREE SECOND MONDAY

APR 8 | Museum | 4:00–7:00 pm

Free admission by The Meijer Foundation.

Tales from the Archives–

Restoring the Cappon House, A Dutch-American Time Capsule

APR 11 | Virtual | 7:00–8:30 pm

With Joel Lefever, Executive Director and Chief Curator for Old York Historical Society. Free adult Zoom program. Registration required for link.

History Mystery Trivia Night Fundraiser

APR 18 | Holland Armory | 5:30-8:30 pm

Contact Sarah for info: 616-613-6227 or sarah@hollandmuseum.org

Museum Member Reception–

A Stitch in Time:

Lavina Cappon’s Tulip Time Legacy

APR 25 | Museum | 5:00-7:00 pm

MAY

Victorian Garden

CELEBRATING 150 YEARS

 1874–2024

Special Exhibits and Events throughout the year!

Cappon House, 150th anniversary celebration programs.

JUNE

MAY 8-10 | Holland Armory | 9:00–5:00 pm

The Holland Garden Club presents a Victorian themed National Garden Club Standard Flower Show. Free family event.

FREE SECOND MONDAY

May 13 | Museum | 4:00–7:00 pm

From 6:00-7:00 pm, enjoy a Brazilian drum performance by Holland Samba School, directed by Christopher H. Fashun. Free admission by The Meijer Foundation.

Tales from the Archives–Mentioning Unmentionables

MAY 16 | Museum | 7:00–8:30 pm

Historian Kim Parr reviews interesting aspects of 18th and 19th century women’s underclothing. Free adult program. Registration encouraged.

Cultural Lens Program–Action with Compassion: Incarceration and the Transformative Effects of Education

MAY 30 | Museum | 7:00–8:30 pm

Humanity for Prisoners Founder Doug Tjapkes and Executive Director Mark Hartman will discuss their award-winning documentary, “Behind Our Walls”. Free adult program. Registration encouraged.

FREE Second Monday’s sponsored by The Meijer Foundation

SPECIAL FREE SECOND MONDAY

Power Up! Fun with Energy

June 10 | Museum | 4:00–7:00 pm

Family fun! Scavenger hunts, energy demonstrations, and take-home goody bags, sponsored by Holland Board of Public Works. Free admission by The Meijer Foundation.

Cultural Lens Program–

Queer Restorative Healing Circle

JUN 13 | Museum | 7:00–8:30 pm

With Mediation Services and Out On The Lakeshore. Free adult program. Registration required to attend (Max. 50).

Cultural Lens Program–

The Silenced Killer: AIDS Then and Now

JUN 17 | Museum | 7:00–8:30 pm

A panel discussion into lived experiences of the AIDS crisis,with Out On The Lakeshore. Free adult program. Registration encouraged.

Tales from the Archives–Fashionable Furniture and the Cappons

JUN 27 | Museum | 7:00–8:30 pm

Clare Heyboer, retired furniture designer, discusses the original Victorian furniture in the Cappon House. Free adult program. Registration encouraged.