Helena Pfanstiehl Van Duren papers
Content Description
The collection includes letters of recommendations for school teacher, Helena Pfanstiehl, related to her experience as a teacher in Holland, Michigan, along with portraits of the Pfanstiehl family and group photographs of school classes.
Dates
- Creation: 1879 - 1900
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open and available for researcher use.
Biographical / Historical
Helena Frederika Pfanstiehl was born in 1861, in Holland, Michigan to Peter (1839-1913) and Cornelia Pfanstiehl (1841-1909), who had eight known children. In 1887 she married Albertus Van Duren (1857-1897). Together they had four children; Albertus Theodore (1888-1937), Helene (1890-1955), Charles (1893-1943), and Louise (1897-1963). The family relocated to Grand Rapids around 1890. After Albertus's death at age 40, Helena was left to raise them as a single mother. She taught sewing in the Grand Rapids Public Schools until her death in 1918. She is buried in Holland, Michigan.
Full Extent
.25 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection of photographs and papers originally belonged to Helena Pfanstiehl Van Duren (1861-1918), who taught school for thirty years, much of those while raising her four children on her own after the untimely death of her husband, Albertus Van Duren. Those researching teaching at the turn of the 20th century in West Michigan or the Pfanstiehl and Van Duren families themselves may find this collection of interest. It is believed this collection was donated by Cleo Wood, also a long time teacher in the Grand Rapids Public Schools, before her death in the 1980s.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Cleo Wood; accession 2025.018
- Title
- Finding Aid for the Helena Pfanstiehl Van Duren papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jennifer Andrew
- Date
- 2025-04-22
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
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