Abstract Father Dennis W. Morrow (1948-2020) as the pastor of St. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church, archivist for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids and chaplain for the Grand Rapids Fire and Police Departments. Father Morrow grew up on the West Side of Grand Rapids, Michigan and had a deep knowledge of the history of the area. This collection contains mostly photographs that Father Morrow took or collected. The photographs document the 1950s US-131 freeway construction project, houses...

Abstract This devised collection attempts to bring together and coordinate materials about Grand Rapids physical structures and the planned and unplanned areas which those structures currently or previously occupied. Data on buildings by name and location are incorporated, including information on the site, builders and architects, as the information is available. Included are city planning documents with related site planning, layout, urban design and physical infrastructure data. Included is...

Abstract The Grand Rapids Illustrated collection contains three pictorial publications with images that depict Grand Rapids, Michigan. The views include buildings, streets, schools, parks, houses, hospitals and so forth. The three publications are: Grand Rapids Illustrated by E.B. Fisher, 1888; Art Work of Grand Rapids, Michigan by L.G. Stuart, 1896 and Grand Rapids Then and Now, 1988. Grand Rapids Then and Now presents sixty-two views from the 1888 Grand Rapids Illustrated compared with new views...

Abstract This collection contains approximately 160 images of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan during a period of urban renewal. During 1979 and 1980 staff members from the Grand Rapids Public Library's Audio-Visual Department set about to visually document the urban renewal landscape. The images were photographed, and 4x5 negatives were provided. Subsequently, 8x10 photographic prints or contact prints were made from these negatives. The images depict the downtown area, buildings being...

Abstract Hero D. Bratt (1900-1977) worked in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan during the urban renewal period in the late 1960s and early 1970s. As an amateur photographer, Bratt documented the buildings and streetscapes before the changes, as well as the demolition and new construction processes. The collection includes over 1,500 color slides, each converted into a print. Because of the comprehensiveness and quality of the images, they are an invaluable record of modern change in downtown Grand...

Abstract The Laura Lorenson photographs contains images which primarily document architecture and buildings in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Included are 464 photographs and 8 photo postcards depicting views of various houses, churches, businesses and public buildings. Most of the images are black and white snapshots, but occasional color images are found. The images were taken in the late 1950s, but most of the houses date to the construction period of 1850-1920 and represent examples of various styles...

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This collection of slides documents the building of the new Palmer School from 1953-1954. Included are images of the construction of the school, classrooms, teachers, and events surrounding the dedication of the building.

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Past Perfect is a historic preservation consulting firm in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The records in this collection include original and copied materials created or used by the firm. The materials provide historical and architectural information on buildings throughout Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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The Robert Imhoff negatives collection includes over 1400 negatives and prints related to the Grand Rapids Fire Department from about 1950-1980. Included are images of fire stations, fire engines, firemen and Grand Rapids Fire Department staff, fire prevention weeks, and fires at local homes and businesses.