Catherine (Kay) Swanlund postcards and photos and Colby family memorabilia
Scope and Contents
The bulk of the collection consists of postcards collected by Catherine Swanlund depicting the history of Grand Rapids (Mich.) from c.1890 to 1985. Of special interest are the business cards, some of which are from firms owned by family members. Included in the collection is the Colby family genealogy, and photographs of the Colby family. Also noteworthy in the correspondence portion of the collection is the stationary from Grand Rapids hotels, 1916.
Of interest is patent information for “Antifriction Bearing for Wheels” filed by Harlan Page Colby, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, dated Apr. 10, 1900. In 2002, a draft of Ms. Swanlund’s reminiscences and family history was added to the collection, including the Savage family who moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan from Chicago, Ill, in 1883. A few periodical articles in the collection also document her career as an interior designer, early under the name Kay Hanger.
Dates
- 1890-1985, n.d.
Creator
- Swanlund, Catherine (Person)
Biographical / Historical
Catherine Louise Vanderhoff was born July 23, 1911 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, daughter of Frances Louise Wood Vanderhoff and Ray Vanderhoff. She had 3 children Barbara, Virginia, and Ray. The girls from a previous marriage. Her marriage was ending when she began studying a home course in interior design while working an interior decorating studio the last year in New York. She left New York and returned to Grand Rapids in July 1947. Subsequently, she supported herself and her children for a number of years as Kay Hanger A.S.I.D.
She returned to Grand Rapids in Aug. 1947 to work for the Inez White Huyge Decorating Studio. In 1955, she opened her own studio at 841 Wealthy St. S.E., later 2176 Wealthy Street. Later she was manager of the interior design department at Wurzburg Department Store, until it closed downtown in 1971.
Kay Hanger met and married Vincent G. Swanlund, (January 21, 1912 - April 28, 1985) in April 1951. It is said that they had an antique shop together late in life, and that the postcards gathered there are the collection that is included in this Grand Rapids Public Library archival collection.
Kay Swanlund had an interest in family and genealogy. A portion of this collection includes photos and genealogical notes on the Colby family. Ms. Swanlund may have used the Colby family name during her lifetime. Colby was Catherine (Kay) Swanlund’s great grandmother’s maiden name (Sarah Colby Wood), but never appears to have actually been Catherine (Kay) Swanlund’s legal name, per the evidence here. Margaret Josephine Savage married the son of Sarah Colby Wood, Ernest Arthur Wood in Jan. 1892. Their daughter Frances, born Nov. 2, 1892, was Kay Swanlund’s mother. The reminiscences, added to this collection in 2002, after Kay Swanlund’s death on Nov. 8, 2001, provide more genealogical information on the Savage family. Kay Swanlund was a personal friend of City Historian Emeritus Gordon Olson. She is shown with Olson in one of the photographs in this collection.
Extent
1.4 Linear Feet (Four boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection is named for its donor, Catherine (Kay) Swanlund (1911-2001). The bulk of the materials here represent her postcard collecting interests, including Grand Rapids views from 1890-1985. Shown are streets, churches, parks, hospitals, and businesses. Also found is a section of Grand Rapids business cards, 1870-1940. Documents and photographs found in the collection provide personal and family history. A Colby Genealogy is included, as well as photos of the Colby family and a family residence in Amesbury, Mass.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Catherine Swanlund: March 1986, April 1988; Estate, 2002
Accession numbers 1986.135, 1988.011, 1986.067, 2002.077.
Alphabetical Index
Administration Bldg., Aquinas College - f.1
Airports - f.69,70
American Red Cross Canteen Station - f.2
American Seating Company - f.3
Apartment Houses - f.134
Ashton Bldg. - f.116
Baker Furniture Company - f.4
Banks - f.87,106,111
Bauman's Cafe - f.5
Bauman's Cafe. Interior - f.6
Bissell Carpet Sweeper Company - f.7
Blodgett Children's Home - f.8
Blodgett Memorial Hospital - f.9
Breweries - f.37
Bridge Street Bridge - f.10
Bridge Street View - f.107
Bridges - f.10,64,76
Burleson Hospital - f.11
Burton High School - f.12
Butterworth Hospital - f.13
Calvin College - f.51
Campau Park - f.14
Campau Square Views - box 1, f.5
Cascade Country Club - f.15
Central High School - f.16
Central High School Gymnasium - f.17
Charles Manor - f.18
Churches - f.36,125,130,136,149
City Hall - f.19
City Hospital - f.20
City Markets - f.21
Civic Auditorium - f.146
Cody Hotel - f.22
Coliseum - f.23
College Ave. Views - f.24
Colleges and Universities - f.28,51,67
Commerce Bldg. - f.25
Country Clubs - f.15,55,68,114
County Court House - f.26
Cresent Park - f.27
Davenport College of Business - f.28
Design Quest - f.29
Division Ave. Views - f.30
Elk's Temple - f.31
Factories - f.3,4,7,45,56,62,66,80,82,99,104,113,120,133,142
Federal Bldg. - f.43
Federal Square Bldg. - f.32
Fire Engine House - f.33
Fish Hatcheries - f.34
Foster-Stevens and Company Bldg. - f.35
Fountain Street Church - f.36
Fox Deluxe Brewing Company - f.37
Fox House - f.38
Franklin Street Park - f.84
Friant House - f.39
Furniture City Showcase, Kent Co. Airport Exhibit - f.40
Furniture Factories - f.3,4,45,56,62,80,82,99,104,113,120,133
Furniture Temple - f.25
Gardens - f.41
Gilbert Bldg. - f.42
Grand Rapids Art Gallery - f.29
Grand Rapids Art Museum - f.43
Grand Rapids Boat and Canoe Club - f.44
Grand Rapids Fancy Furniture - f.45
Grand Rapids Furniture Museum - f.28
Grand Rapids Homecoming - f.46
Grand Rapids Post Office - f.47
Grand Rapids Press Bldg. - f.48
Grand Rapids Public Library - f.49
Grand Rapids Public Museum - f.50
Grand Rapids Savings Bank - f.111
Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music - f.51
Grand Rapids Views - box 1, f.6
Grand River Views - f.52
Grand Trunk Bldg. - f.53
"Grand" - f.54
Greenridge Country Club - f.55
Gunn Furniture Company - f.56
Hall St. Blvd. Views - f.57
Hall of Justice - f.58
Hermitage Hotel - f.59
Highland Park - f.60
Horses - f.61
Hospitals - f.8,9,11,13,20,85,131,137
Hotels - f.22,59,79,88,97,102,106
Houses - f.18,28,29,38,50,145
Imperial Furniture Company - f.62
Interstate Bldg. - f.63
Interurban Bridge - f.64
John Ball Park - f.65
Johnson, C.J. Cigar Company - f.66
Kendall School of Design - f.67
Kent Country Club - f.68
Kent County Airport - f.69
Kent County International Airport - f.70
Kent Scientific Museum - f.50
Klingman's Furniture Company - f.71
Ladies Literary Club - f.72
Lafayette Ave. Views - f.73
Lakeside Club House - f.74
Leonard Fountain Exposition Bldg. - f.75
Leonard St. Bridge - f.76
Libraries - f.49
Lincoln Park - f.77
Little Sisters of the Poor Hospital - f.78
Livingston Hotel - f.79
Luce Furniture Company - f.80
Macatawa, Mich. - f.81
Macy Company - f.82
Madison Square - f.83
Manger Hotel - f.102
Manufacturers Furniture Exposition Bldg. - f.63
Martin Luther King Park - f.84
Masonic Home - f.85
Masonic Temple - f.86,135
McKay Tower - f.87
Merten's Hotel - f.88
Metcalf Funeral Home - f.89
Michigan Ave. Views - f.90
Michigan National Guard Armory - f.91
Michigan Trust Company Bldg. - f.92
Michigan Veteran's Facility - f.93
Mills - f.142
Monroe Ave. Views - f.94
Monroe Center Views - f.95
Monument Park - f.96
Monuments - f.123,141
Morton House (hotel) - f.97
Museums - f.28,29,50
Native Americans - f.98
Nelson Matter Furniture Company - f.99
North Park Pavilion - f.100
Northern Refridgerator Company - f.101
Olds Manor - f.102
Orchard Hill - f.103
Oriel Cabinet Company - f.104
Orphanages - f.128
Ottawa Street Views - f.105
Pantlind Hotel - f.106
Parade - f.107
Park Congregational Church - f.108
Parks - f.14,27,60,65,77,84,96,117,141
Pearl St. Views - f.109
Penninsular Club Bldg. - f.110
Peoples Bldg. - f.111
Phoenix Club - f.112
Phoenix Furniture Company - f.113
Pike House - f.29
Plainfield Country Club - f.114
Police Headquarters - f.115
Pythian Temple - f.116
Railroad Bldgs. - f.53,139
Ramona Park - f.117
Reeds Lake - f.118
Restaurants - f.5,6,18
Rowe Hotel - f.102
Schools - f.12,16,17,119,121,122,126,138
Sigsbee School - f.119
Sligh Furniture Company - f.120
South Division St. School - f.121
South High School - f.122
Spanish-American War Memorial - f.123
St. Andrew's Cathedral - f.124
St. Andrew's Parish School - f.125
St. Augustine, Fla. - f.126
St. Cecelia Bldg. - f.127
St. John's Orphanage - f.128
St. Joseph Seminary - f.129
St. Mark's Episcopal Church - f.130
St. Mary's Hospital - f.131
State Street Views - f.132
Stickley Brothers Furniture Company - f.133
Stores. Interiors - f.35,151
Stratford Arms - f.134
Sweets Hotels - f.106
Trade Center - f.135
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church - f.136
U.B.A. Hospital - f.137
Union High School - f.138
Union Station - f.139
Vandenburg Center - f.140
Veteran's Memorial Park - f.141
Voigt Milling Company - f.142
Water Pumping Station - f.143
Waters Furniture Exposition Bldg. - f.144
Watson House - f.145
Welsh Civic Auditorium - f.146
West Bridge St. - f.147
West Gardener, Mass. - f.148
Westminster Presbyterian Church - f.149
YMCA - f.32
YMCA Bldg. - f.150
YWCA Bldg. - f.152
Young and Chaffee Furniture Company - f.151
- Title
- Finding Aid for the Catherine (Kay) Swanlund postcards and photos and Colby family memorabilia
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Martha J. Bloem
- Date
- November 1988
- 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