Abstract Benjamin Baum (1913-1991) served as the chairperson of the Grand Rapids Metropolitan Area Study committee from 1955 through 1959. The Grand Rapids Metropolitan Area Study was an independent committee formed by the Grand Rapids Community Council to study the needs and problems of public services in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. The committee was assigned to compile reports and make recommendations for the consolidation of services between the city and surrounding suburbs. The collection...

Abstract George R. Perry (1849-1927) was a Grand Rapids, Michigan businessman and politician. He served as mayor of Grand Rapids from 1898 to 1902. The collection includes letter press books, newspaper clippings, correspondence, account books and accounting files. The material deals mainly with political affairs with the account books relating to Perry's business interests. During Perry's time as mayor he was involved in the Grand Rapids water scandal, relating to bonds issued to fund...

Abstract Helen Jackson Claytor (1907-2005) was the first African-American president of the national YWCA. She lived much of her life in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Claytor sought to bring equal rights to women, children, widowed persons and orphans, and advocated for rights to justice, housing, education, health and death with dignity, as well as freedom from racial and other prejudices. Locally, Claytor was the first African-American president of the Grand Rapids YWCA and, among other...

Abstract John W. Squier (1799-1872) was a businessman and real estate investor in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He owned a flour mill and in 1859 he built the first opera house in the city, Squier's Opera House. The collection documents the affairs of this successful businessman in the growing, frontier village of Grand Rapids, Michigan during the mid 19th century. Included are various legal, financial and property documents. Also included are the Mackinac Agency payroll of 1849, data on building and...

Abstract Rosemary Scott (1922-2005) was an attorney who practiced in Grand Rapids from 1947 until 2002. She was known as the first female lawyer to open her own practice in Grand Rapids. She was appointed to the Michigan Youth Commission from 1949 to 1969, and was appointed by Governors Romney and Milliken as its Chair from 1964 to 1971. In addition, she served as a member of the Michigan Crime Commission and the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Commission. This collection contains reports,...

Abstract Thomas C. Mathieu, Sr. (1936-) was a Michigan State Representative from 1975 to 1998. He is known for his work with the Michigan Civilian Conservation Corps, the Michigan Veterans Facility and Grand Rapids Community College. In addition, Mathieu secured funding for many local organizations, including Grand Valley State University, the Grand Rapids Art Museum and the Grand Rapids Public Museum. He also authored numerous bills, including the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act (1976), the...