James Christensen collection
Scope and Contents
The collection includes images and documents relating to or collected by James Christensen and his family. Material that appears to have been collected by James includes programs, booklets and fliers from various organizations, including high school commencements and plays, theatre programs and a church history.
A photograph album, soldier's handbook, portrait and military record relate to John M. Christensen's time serving in the United States Army during the Phillipine-American War. The photograph album shows candid images of life in the Phillipines during the war and includes American soldiers, Filipinos, scenery, buildings and a cock fight.
Also included are images from Eileen Worfel Christensen's family. These include family portraits and a series of glass negatives showing scenes around Grand Rapids circa 1900. The images include a photograph of Susan Howell Worfel standing on Center/Central Avenue (now Sheldon Avenue), with Central Avenue School and South Congregational Church (now St. Luke A.M.E. Zion Church) behind her. Central Avenue School was built in 1875, renamed Sheldon School circa 1912 and demolished and replaced with the current structure circa 1915/1916. This photograph may be one of only a few images of the original school building.
Dates
- 1898-1995
- Majority of material found within 1898 - 1936
Creator
- Christensen, James (Donor, Person)
Conditions Governing Use
This collection is open and available for researcher use.
James J Christensen
James Joseph Christensen (21 October 1912 - 3 July 2003) was the son of John M. Christensen and Eileen C. Worfel. James graduated from Ottawa Hills High School and the University of Michigan (1935). He served in the United States Army during World War II (1942-1946). According to city directories, after the war he worked as a sales manager and vice-president for Carlton-Surrey (a furniture manufacturer), an office manager for Grand Rapids Upholstering and held various positions with the Michigan Employment Security Commission (now the Unemployment Insurance Agency). James married M. Virginia Friar on November 21, 1942. They had four children: M. Pamela, Cathleen, Michael and Eileen.
Extent
1 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
James Joseph Christensen (1912-2003) was the son of John M. Christensen and Eileen C. Worfel. The collection includes images and documents relating to or collected by James Christensen and his family. Included are programs, booklets and fliers from various organizations. A photograph album, soldier's handbook, portrait and military record relate to John M. Christensen's time serving in the United States Army during the Phillipine-American War. Also included are images from Eileen Worfel Christensen's family. The images include Central Avenue School and South Congregational Church (now St. Luke A.M.E. Zion Church).
Immediate Source of Acquisition
James Christensen, accessions 1992.025 and 1994.010.
- Title
- Finding aid for the James Christensen collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Julie Tabberer
- Date
- November 2014
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497
localhis@grpl.org