Abstract The Bridge Street House was an early tavern and hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This collection includes three volumes of records from the hotel: a register from 1857-1860 and day books from 1853-1854 and 1857-1861. Though apparently not comprehensive, these volumes detail the daily expenses of the hotel, before and after the structure burned in 1855. The names of guests of the hotel are included from 1854 to 1860, primarily after the building reopened after the fire. The volumes provide...

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Cadette Everett Fitch (1840-1927) was a teacher, artist and community leader. The collection contains sketches by Fitch, illustrating nature and a seven-day boat trip down the Grand River. The drawings detail natural features of the landscape and structures along the river. The journal's written descriptions of the flora and fauna, as well as human activity on the Grand River and in the Grand River Valley, give insight into the area just before the turn of the century.

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The Campau Centennial Celebration took place September 23-26, 1926 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the first permanent white settlement in Grand Rapids by Louis Campau. Festivities took place throughout the weekend and included pageants, exhibits and a parade. The celebration was meant to celebrate the history of the city of Grand Rapids, as well as high hopes for the city's future.

Abstract Bethuel Church (1784-1859) was an early resident of Grand Rapids, Michigan area. His diary describes his daily life, contains weather reports, and mentions current events. Written in the final years of his life, the diary begins on July 2, 1854 and ends on May 30, 1858. It discusses his family, including his first wife Lydia, second wife Mary Ann and son Melvin. His siblings mentioned are sister A. Boot and brother C.C. The diary notes Bethuel's occupations variously as handyman, delivery...

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The Champlin Post Numer 29 Memorial Record Collection consists of one ledger style book. This book records all of the current members of the Champlin Post in 1887. Within each signed record is a detailed description of each service member's service during the American Civil War.

Abstract The George E. Fitch Photographs Collection contains images of the Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan area. The images are mostly copy photos collected by George Everett Fitch, a local historian and amateur photographer. A few original family photos are also included. The images depict Grand Rapids scenes from the 1850s into the 1920s. Though most are second generation images, they are believed to be closest to first generation that are extant in some cases. George Everett Fitch...

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Harlan P. Colby (1841-1925) was a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan. This collection contains an original manuscript written by Colby in 1855. He records a history of Grand Rapids from 1833 through 1855, describing people, places and events and providing some statistical data on the village’s development. The manuscript details the daily hardships in a mid-19th century frontier community.

Abstract Henry McConnell, born about 1852 or 1853, collected broadsides prevalent in Grand Rapids, Michigan during the Civil War. His transcribed letter of reminiscence, included in this collection, recalls the event of the 3rd Regiment leaving for that War, the first group to department from Grand Rapids. The broadsides include recruiting posters, information for families, patriotic efforts on behalf of the war effort, and reunion communications. Some other types of information are also included in...

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Jaroslaw de Zielinski was a Polish music teacher and conductor living in Grand Rapids, Michigan from 1871-1879. While living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Zielinski helped pioneer music education and entertaintment during the early development stages of the city. While living in Grand Rapids, he befriended one of his pupils, Ms. Edith V. Rann, and corresponded with her extensively from 1871-1890 in regards to his philosophy of music, teaching music and personal matters.

Abstract The John Ball papers include the working files of this early pioneer of Western Michigan, who was a land speculator, political leader, lawyer and teacher. Included are correspondence, telegrams, certificates, circulars, diaries, legal papers, deeds, contracts, leases, account books, account sheets, memorandums, meteorology records, speeches and various other materials. Ball was a traveler, and his diaries and correspondences provide detailed information about his trip through the...