Abstract The Grand Rapids Woman's Club was a club in Grand Rapids, Michigan dedicated to social, literary and philanthropic efforts. This collection includes documents of the club, including under its earlier names Our Society and South End Ladies Literary Club or South Side Ladies Literary Club. In addition to the usual minutes, constitution and by-laws, member lists, and accounts, is a scrapbook, and information on philanthropies. Also, a major group within the Club was The Players, which produced...

Abstract

The book, "Heart & Soul: the story of Grand Rapid's Neighborhoods", was a project led by the Grand Rapids Area Council for the Humanities. This collection primarily houses materials collected during the project. The book was published in 2003 by Wm. B. Eerdmans of Grand Rapids. Many of the images in the publication came from the archival collections at the Grand Rapids Public Library. Other original materials were provided by individuals donors from the community.

Abstract Hellenic Horizons was incorporated in 1979 to celebrate Greek heritage in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The group produced an exhibit at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, "Greek-American Family: Continuity through Change", and a booklet, "Grand Rapids Greek Heritage." This collection includes historical images gathered for the projects, as well as project files, oral histories and ephemera. Some material also represents the larger Michigan Greek community. Records from Hellenic Horizons date from...

Abstract The Hollyhock Lane Parade records contain various materials documenting the history of this annual Grand Rapids neighborhood Independence Day parade that began in 1934 and continues to the present day. Founded by residents of Calvin and Giddings Avenues, the parade committee was incorporated as The Calvin-Giddings Patriotic Association, Inc. The parade became known as the “Hollyhock Lane Parade” due to the hollyhock lined alley adjoining the two streets. The collection contains many...

Abstract

The John Ball Park neighborhood is located on the West Side of Grand Rapids, Michigan. This collection includes correspondence, meeting minutes/agendas and other organizational papers of the John Ball Park Community Association and the John Ball Park Target Area Council primarily from the late 1970s to the mid 1980s.

Abstract John H. Schouten (1870-1961) was active in the Michigan National Guard from 1889 through 1933. This collection originally contained twelve photographic prints of various groups in the Michigan National Guard, 1882-1929. The images include group shots and show uniforms, equipment, camp facilities and the Company K Indoor Baseball Team. The collection continues to grow as more items associated with Schouten are identified. Also included is personal and biographical data related to Schouten,...

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The Kent County Family Life Council promoted a strong family life by providing education opportunities for youth regarding home and family living. In 1955, home and family living classes were included in the school curricula as a result of their efforts. The organization closed on May 13, 1983 due to declining participation. Holdings document the history and activities of the council and provide data about social issues or topics such as divorce and services for youth.

Abstract The Mercy Central School of Nursing was a nursing school based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The collection documents the history and activities of the school from its founding as the St. Mary's Hospital Training School of Nursing in 1898 through the time of its last graduating class in 1986. The early schools were located in Bay City, Muskegon and Grand Rapids, with the main office in Grand Rapids. These were combined in Grand Rapids under the new Mercy Central name in 1935. The...

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This collection contains the minutes of the Metropolitan Grand Rapids Planning Association in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Planning Association started in 1941. The most active years for the Association were 1943-1952. Its most notable achievement was the preliminary plans for the U.S. 131 Expressway.

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The Needlework Guild of America collected and distributed clothing through charitable agencies. The Grand Rapids Branch was organized in 1921 and disbanded in 1968. This collection includes the club's minutes for most years, membership lists, reports, correspondence and a substantial group of newspaper clippings from a scrapbook.