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Grand Rapids in World War II collection

 Collection
Identifier: Collection 310

Scope and Contents

This collection contains primarily the documents, images and memories of those from the Grand Rapids and Kent County area who served during World War II. It also includes other war memorabilia, such as ration books or newspaper clippings on the War at home.

Several of the accessions were gathered, during a period of focus on this topical area, by City Historian Gordon Olson, during the 1999-2002 time period. Others have continued to come from that impetus, while some accessions were in the backlog of existing materials waiting for processing.

Provenance can be tracked within the finding aid, or through other archival files.

Dates

  • 1940s

Extent

13.6 Linear Feet (20 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This is a devised collection which brings together several accessions of materials related to World War II. Included are documents, letters, images and memories of those from the Grand Rapids and Kent County area who served during World War II. Other war memorabilia, such as ration books or newspaper clippings on the War at home, are also included. The collection also includes cards, collected by the Kent County Historical Commission, with information on individuals from Kent County who served in World War II. This is an open collection to which new materials may occasionally be added.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Various donors and accession numbers.

Related Materials

Coll. 020, Grand Rapids Federation of Women’s Clubs Records.

Coll. 028, M. Annie Leitch Papers, 1936-1984

Coll. 075, Thomas E. Walsh Papers.

Coll. 125, Robinson Studio Collection. See also the book “Grand Rapids Goes to War”, which includes many images from the Robinson Collection.

Coll. 170, Wolverine Brass Company Collection

Coll. 173, United States Army Weather School Collection.

Coll. 205, Halden Adrion Collection of World War II Letters and Photographs

Coll. 218, Kent County Chapter American Red Cross History

Coll. 215, Marie Cady Collection

Title
Finding aid for the Grand Rapids in World War II, 1941-1946 collection
Author
R. Mayne
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository

Contact:
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497