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Corwin Smidt, Paul B. Henry Chair in Political Science and Director of the Henry Institute of Christianity and Politics, Calvin College. Focusing on the life and political thought of Paul B. Henry, Smidt will discuss how it shaped his public service as a state legislator and U.S. Congressman. Drawing from some of Henry's writings prior to his life of public service, the presentation will seek to outline Henry's political principles and how they shaped his political practice, thereby making Paul Henry, in the words of columnist David Broder, "one politician who lived up to the highest standards of public service.”
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 Corwin Smidt
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Matthew L. Daley
Michigan played a major role in national bank collapses of 1933 when the January failure of Detroit's Union Guardian Group initiated an avalanche. In the decades since then, bank records in most states have been sealed, making informed analysis impossible. As a result, we've had only the macro explanations of neoclassical economists like Milton Friedman
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saying that since business cycles are unpredictable we should simply let markets self-correct.
It turns out that the State Archive of Michigan has unsealed bank records no one knew were there-until recently.
Professor Matthew L. Daley's presentation is based on this data, allowing him to share hidden details behind the crisis: What did boards of directors actually do?
Who owns my house now?
From these records he creates a micro account of the crisis, one bringing human actions back into the story as well as allowing analysis which reveals direct links to today's economy.
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November 12, 2009
Co-sponsored with the
Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table
Hell on Belle Isle:
Diary of a Civil War POW
Author Don Allison will be coming to Grand Rapids from his home in Ohio, to speak about the Confederate Prison camp on Belle Isle, the island just outside of Richmond, Virginia (not Detroit) in the James River. Combining the diary of J. Osborn Coburn (from Big Rapids and a member of the Michigan Sixth Cavalry) along with his research into the prison camp, Allison has created an interesting Civil War book and has prepared an informative presentation, telling the story of the process of writing this book.
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Grand Rapids' Extreme Make-Over
l circa 1955-70 l
Don Bratt, son of Hero D. Bratt, photographer
of the Downtown Urban Renewal Project
Hero D. Bratt was the only person known to
have photographed virtually every building
in the Downtown Urban Renewal Project of the 1950-1970 era.
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Those familiar with the core city during that time period will have dim memories fondly brought into sharp focus; everyone else is in for a delightful and sometimes humorous history lesson as Hero's son, Don Bratt brings us the best of his father's “Glimpses of Gold Grand Rapids and Urban Renewal.” Don promises an hour of pure nostalgia that will far transcend just another evening of interesting but faded colored slides. Audience participation will be encouraged throughout the show.
It should be fun!
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Craig Benjamin
Department of History and Frederick Meijer Honors College, Grand Valley State University
African American musicians from Michigan have had a powerful influence on the evolution of American popular music, notably through the emergence of Motown in the 1960s. Less well known is the fact that Michigan also produced many of the most significant jazz musicians and vocalists of the modern era, including guitarist Kenny Burrell; drummer Elvin Jones; bassist Ron Carter; pianists Tommy Flanagan and Hank Jones; vibraphonist Milt Jackson; and a host of brilliant
brass and wind players like Kenny Garrett and Thad Jones. In celebration of Black History Month, Benjamin's presentation will use words, images, video, and music to consider the lives and creative genius of some of these extraordinary musicians in the social and cultural context from which they emerged - namely the city of Detroit and State of Michigan - during the past six decades. He will also discuss some of the rich history of jazz in Michigan's second largest city, Grand Rapids.
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March 11, 2010
Co-sponsored with the
part of their 2010 Legacy Celebration
Bonnets and Business: Women and Work in Grand Rapids, 1890-1930
Marcella Beck and Ruth Van Stee
Grand Rapids History and Special Collections, Grand Rapids Public Library
Beck and Van Stee will discuss the way we look back on the roles of women in our history, with particular reference to their contributions to the economy in Grand Rapids. Concepts will be illustrated with interesting stories of specific entrepreneurs and surprising statistical data on the employment of women in the era between 1890 and 1930.
Mrs. J.C. Carr - owner of Marietta Stanley Co.
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April is our off-site tour program this season. A two-hour visit to the Masonic Temple at 233 E Fulton will include a history of the Masonic Lodge, the founding, the home at Reeds Lake, the Ionia Street Temple, notable Grand Rapids Masons, and it's present status. Following the presentation will be a half-hour tour or the center. Don't miss this chance to see this 95-year-old building, including the museum and library.
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 *Note Venue Change*
Masonic Temple
233 E Fulton
7:00 p.m.
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May 13, 2010
Something to Celebrate: the Homecoming of 1910
Thomas R. Dilley
Grand Rapids attorney, collector of Grand Rapids history and author of Grand Rapids in Vintage Postcards, 1890-1940, Grand Rapids in Stereographs, 1860-1900, and Grand Rapids: Community and Industry
In the later summer of 1910, the city of Grand Rapids paused for a few days to celebrate its past and future with a grand schedule of events and a giant parade. Happily for us, one hundred years later, the whole event was well photographed, providing us with some interesting views of the city and its residents on this happy occasion.
111 Lyon NW
Time to be announced.
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March 6, 2010
Using Family Tree Maker
Mini Class
Vander Veen Center
4th Floor
12:15 - 1:15 pm
Catholic Cemeteries in Grand Rapids
Rose Mary Schuessler, Family Service Director
Ryerson Auditorium
Level 3
1:30pm
Main Branch
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l Thursdays at the Ford l
A Series on Women's History
Sponsored by:
Grand Rapids Historical Society
All are FREE and open to the public!
303 Pearl NW
7:00pm
March 11, 2010
Michigan’s Abolitionist Army
Bonnets and Business: Women and Work in Grand Rapids, 1890-1930
Marcella Beck and Ruth Van Stee (Grand Rapids Public Library, GR History and Special Collections) will share surprising information about the economic role of turn-of-the-century women entrepreneurs and employees.
March 18, 2010
Giving Up the Blues for Gospel:
The Story of Women Blues Singers in Grand Rapids
Hard to find in Grand Rapids, our women blues singers since the 1950s
have nevertheless made a colorful group. Uncover the blues scene with
Kim D. Rush from the Grand Rapids Historical Society.
March 25, 2010
Grand Rapids' Most Famous Courtesan: Georgie Young
Speaker: Diana E. Barrett, Grand Rapids Historical Commission
Beginning with business success in the "oldest profession," a young
nineteenth-century Grand Rapids woman metamorphosed into
property owner, philanthropist, author, and actress.
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March 17, 2010
Civil War Roundtable
Battle of Utoy Creek
Major Perry Bennett,
historian for the US Army in Atlanta.
Bennett's area of interest has been the Civil War battles of Atlanta in general and the battle of Utoy Creek in particular. After living in the Atlanta area as a child and studying the battle for the last 25 years, Bennett is writing a book on the subject. The Battle of Utoy Creek involved a West Michigan regiment, the 25th Michigan. Anyone interested in the Civil War will not want to miss this one.
3333 E Beltline Avenue
7:30pm
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