Abstract Clark Retirement Community, originally the M.J. Clark Memorial Home, opened in 1906 in the former residence set on the twenty acre farm of M.J. and Emily Clark, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The home was operated by the West Michigan Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was developed primarily as a refuge for elderly Methodist ministers and their dependents. The material in this collection is almost entirely copies of relevant documents discovered during the research and writing of...

Abstract The Edward V. Gillis Growing Up in Old Lithuanian Town Collection contains 200 photographs or copy photos of illustrations collected by Gillis over several years, from the Lithuanian community in Grand Rapids, Michigan of which he was a part. Accompanying the photos is descriptive information that Gillis, born Edvardus Bartholomeus Vikoras Gylys (1920-1999), gathered along with the photographs. Several of the photographs were used in his book “Growing Up in Old Lithuanian Town”, published by...

Abstract

Published in 1993, "Gathered at the river: Grand Rapids, Michigan and its people of faith" details the history of churches in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The book was written by James D. Bratt and Christopher H. Meehan and funded through the Grand Rapids Area Council for the Humanities. This collection includes questionnaires, histories and other documents collected during the research process, including church directories, programs and books.

Abstract Gerald Elliott (1907-1994) was an editorial writer for the Grand Rapids Press in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This collection consists primarily of published work by Michigan associated authors. Also included are items published in Michigan, those having information about Michigan or some other Michigan association. All items in the collection are believed to have been collected by Elliott, or received by him as part of the book review process, for reviews he primarily prepared for the Grand...

Abstract

Grand Rapids, a city renewed : a history since World War II is a book written by Gordon L. Olson, Grand Rapids City Historian, for the Grand Rapids Historical Commission in 1996. The collection includes photographs used in the publication as well as papers that document the publication process.

Abstract This is a small collection containing photographs used in the book "Grand Rapids: Past, Present and Future." The book, edited by Gordon Olson, was published as a result of several Grand Rapids, Michigan citizens coming together to discuss changes in the city, resulting in the formation of a group called Urban Concern, Inc. in 1979. The photographs included in this collection are primarily from 1981 and were commissioned for the book. The photographers include Wes Morton, Michael Green, Gary...

Abstract

A Grand Rapids Sampler is a book written by Gordon L. Olson, former Grand Rapids City Historian, for the Grand Rapids Historical Commission in 1972. This collection documents the publication of the book. It includes reference images of photographs used in the book and papers relating to the book.

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 This collection contains the working files and some of the historical information gathered for the creation of the book “Story of Grand Rapids,” edited by Z.Z. Lydens. This 1966 title was researched and prepared by members of the Grand Rapids Historical Commission and their representatives. Included are publication files and subject files related to the final content of the book. Also included are some original documents, which it is believed were given to the Society, and then subsequently...

Scope and Contents

The materials contained within the Pathways and Clearings Collection consist of the compiled research for the book. Contained within these materials is all of the correspondence between the writer and the various partners on the project. The materials also include all of the photos of the research, which eventually would become the illustrations within the book Pathways and Clearings. There are also several rough drafts of the work and the final draft before it went to publication.