1980-1990

File — Box: 5

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Series:

This series includes the text for the exhibit's panels. For the originals and their locations, see Boxes 3-5.

Dates

1900-2000

Extent

From the Collection: 6.6 Linear Feet (Seven boxes)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Exhibit Captions

After Grand Rapids received All-America City designation in 1981, Mayor Abe Drasin purchased a commemorative license plate from Union Bank President David Frey. The bank sold the plates for $1.00 at all its branches. [Photo courtesy Grand Rapids Press]
With Senator Carl Levin looking on, Mayor Gerald Helmholdt cut a giant red-white-and-blue cake to launch Grand Rapids’ 150th birthday celebration in 1988. [Photo courtesy Grand Rapids Press]
Led by Richard Gillette and Richard DeVos, a blue-ribbon committee instrumental in bringing about the Grand Center gathered in the pedestrian walkway over Monroe Avenue connecting Calder Plaza and the Grand Center. Next to DeVos is Mary Ann Keeler, followed by Jack Roberts, Edith Blodgett, Edward Frey, Richard Oele, Lyman Parks, Buck Matthews, Harold Geerdes, John Bissell, Casey Wondergem, and Ben Dean. [Photo courtesy Grand Rapids Press]
Ground was cleared in 1977 for the construction of the Grand Center, a 60,000 square-foot exhibition hall and a 2,450 square-foot music hall completed in 1980. [DeVos Hall-Grand Center. GRPL Urban Renewal Pictorials. #79-060.118-1-13]
Dedication of the renovated Amway Grand Plaza Hotel kicked off a weeklong celebration in 1981 capped by the dedication of the Gerald R. Ford Museum. [Photo courtesy Grand Rapids Press]
By the end of the 1980s, Grand Valley State University’s downtown Eberhard Center saw an estimated 4,000 students pass through its doors each week. [Photo courtesy Grand Valley State University]
President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan joined former President Gerald R. Ford and Betty Ford on center stage for the dedication of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum on September 18, 1981. [Photo courtesy Grand Rapids Press]
Originally dedicated in 1911, Grand Rapids old Federal Building found new life in 1981 when it was rededicated as the home of the Grand Rapids Art Museum, with President Gerald R. Ford cutting the ribbon assisted by Michigan First Lady Helen Milliken and Art Museum President Charles McCallum. [Photo courtesy Grand Rapids Press]
[Old Federal Building/Post office, converted to new Grand Rapids Art Museum. Source of photo unknown]