Groff's collection documents the vaudeville career of two young body builders in the early 20th century, and their manager, who also had an act. Included are two scrapbooks with newspaper reviews of their act, playbills, programs and some photographs. A third scrapbook documents the later life career in real estate of one of the body builders in the Grand Rapids area. Also documented is the purchase and operation of a summer resort on Reeds Lake by the act manager and one of the body builders, from 1907 to the early 1920s, which catered to vaudevillians and theatrical troupes. Documentation of the resort is through negatives, photos, plat maps and an ink drawing. Additionally, there are a number of posed pictures of the body builders in action.

Background: Two immigrant young men, both interested in, and practioners of, physical culture met in a gym in New York City about 1900. They excercised together, became friends, and soon performed tricks together as a team. In 1903, they won an amateur night competition at Miners Eighth Avenue theater and decided to turn professional. Though not related, they were booked in the Keiths vaudeville circuit organization as the "Bellclaire Brothers.” They put out ads to find a manager, and met Fred Mongeon, who had his own act as Fred Paulo of "Paulo & Marlow." The three became friends, and frequently booked both acts together. They appeared in New York, Boston, New Orleans, St. Louis, Omaha and Denver to mention a few stops.

In 1907 they visited Grand Rapids and fell in love with the area. Fred Mongeon with Maurice Bellclaire purchased 22 acres of land on the south side of Reeds Lake and established a summer resort called "Point Paulo" which catered to their fellow vaudevillians and theatrical troupes. The resort operated until the 1920s, but its size was scaled back beginning in 1913 with the platting and sale of part of the property to private parties. Gradually the resort was phased out, though Fred continued to live on the site. In 1930, Fred became a realtor, with Maurice as salesman. In 1937, Fred Paulo died, but Maurice continued the real estate business until the mid 1950s. He continued to reside on Point Paulo until his death in 1973.