Baxter Award

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="052085a3.jpg"> <div> <B>Grand Rapids Historical Society</B><B> </B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Papyrus" ><B>   </B><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Papyrus" ><B>|     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Grand Rapids Historical Society"><U><B>home</B></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Features"><U>Back to the </U></A><A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Features"><U><B>Features</B></U></A><A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Features"><U> </U></A><A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Features"><U>page</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="053d2e83.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Grand Rapids Historical Society"><U><IMG SRC="05ab5b40.png" border=0 width="181" height="180" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> Collecting and preserving an accurate record of our past, and teaching our diverse local history to future generations.<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Papyrus" > </FONT></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="05507073.jpg"> <div> <B>Baxter Award</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="703" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BELOW" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 432 WIDTH="346"><bR> <bR> <div> In May each year, the Albert E. Baxter Award is presented at the annual banquet and meeting of the Grand Rapids Historical Society.  The award was created by the Society in 1980 to honor persons who have made significant contributions to the preservation and interpretation of Grand River Valley history.  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> The Baxter Award is named after Albert Baxter author of the History of the City of Grand Rapids published in November, 1890.  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> This was not the first history of Grand Rapids published, but this 840-page book set the standard for every Grand Rapids historian that followed, especially in the author's painstaking attention to correct details. </div> <bR> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="0adb5bc0.jpg" border=0 width="181" height="188" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="333" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 201 WIDTH="327"><div>  </div> <div> Baxter wrote this about his </div> <div> personal history in the book:</div> <bR> <div> " Waymarks along the path of his experience are sketched by himself to make sure of their correctness." And in the preface: "It has cost three years of labor and waiting: in part pleasurable and in part vexatious and tantalizing."</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="4" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="502" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="ABOVE" RULES="ROWS" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 63 WIDTH="496"><bR> <div> <B>2007 Baxter Award</B></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="4" CELLSPACING="8" WIDTH="723" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 610 WIDTH="341"><div> This year's recipient is certainly no stranger to most of us. <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#660000" FACE="Tahoma" ><B>John Logie</B></FONT> served three terms as mayor of Grand Rapids from 1990 until his voluntary retirement in 2004. While serving as mayor he was a strong voice for historic preservation as a tool for economic revitalization of our city. During his 12 years as mayor his policies made possible the establishment of the <B>Cherry Hill Historic District</B>, The <A HREF="http://www.mlui.org/growthmanagement/fullarticle.asp?fileid=16682" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.mlui.org/growthmanagement/ful"><U><B>Wealthy Theatre Historic District</B></U></A>, and the <B>Fairmount Square Historic District</B>. Additionally many downtown commercial buildings were revitalized instead of demolished. </div> <bR> <div> Prior to his years as mayor <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#660000" FACE="Tahoma" ><B>John Logie</B></FONT> was intimately involved in the establishment of the <A HREF="http://www.heritagehillweb.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.heritagehillweb.org/"><U><B>Heritage Hill Association</B></U></A>. While the proponents of urban renewal had been gaining momentum, a few local preservationists refused to see the rich history of this area fall to the wrecking ball. With the loss of the old city hall a group was formed to protect the heritage hill district.   <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#660000" FACE="Tahoma" ><B>John Logie</B></FONT>, as attorney, crafted the legislation that in Michigan would become the <A HREF="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-act-169-of-1970.pdf" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/"><U><B>Local Historic District Act</B></U></A>.  Ultimately this would lead to recognition on the <A HREF="http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricpla"><U><B>National Register of Historic Places</B></U></A>.  During this battle <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#660000" FACE="Tahoma" ><B>John</B></FONT> provided his legal expertise to ultimately protect what we now enjoy today as the historic neighborhoods of Grand Rapids. </div> <bR> <div> His work paved the way for the protection of </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="342"><bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1bc3e880.gif" border=0 width="318" height="392" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div>  hundreds of historic buildings in this city, and</div> <div> who knows how many throughout the state. Without such vision and hard work Grand Rapids would be a very different place than it is today. John has served as president of the Heritage Hill association and foundation, the Michigan Historical Society and chaired the Grand Rapids Historical Commission. The Board of Trustees is proud to present the 2007 Baxter award to <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#660000" FACE="Tahoma" ><B>John Logie</B></FONT>.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="4" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="617" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="ABOVE" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 2010 WIDTH="611"><bR> <bR> <div> <B>Past  Baxter  Award  Recipients</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>1980      Homer Burch</B></div> <div> For his Lifelong study of the Grand River, created Grand River archives </div> <div> that is now housed at the Rockford Public Library.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1981      Sr. Marie Heyda</B></div> <div> For her career in teaching  history at Aquinas College, and for service on </div> <div> Grand Rapids Historical Society Board of Trustees and for publication of </div> <div> several articles on Grand Rapids history.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1982      William A. Johnson</B></div> <div> Former Grand Rapids Police Chief and City Commissioner. A Lifelong student </div> <div> of history who helped establish City Historian position.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1983      Gerald Elliot</B></div> <div> Grand Rapids Press writer who authored <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Tahoma" ><I>Grand Rapids: Renaissance </I></FONT></div> <div> <I>On The Grand</I>.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1984      Rev. John Whalen McGee</B></div> <div> Author of <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Tahoma" ><I>Bend In The River</I></FONT>, a history of Granville, and <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Tahoma" ><I>History of Catholic Church In Grand River Valley</I></FONT><I>, </I>as well as a history of Irish in West Michigan.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1985      Frank Dumond</B></div> <div> Longtime director of Public Museum of Grand Rapids, and while director he developed turnoff the century Gaslight Village</div> <bR> <div> <B>1986      Barbara Roelofs</B></div> <div> Historic preservation activist who was one of founders of Heritage Hill </div> <div> Historic District</div> <bR> <div> <B>1987      Richard Flanders</B></div> <div> An archaeologist at Grand Valley State University who studied Norton </div> <div> Indian Mounds.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1988      Mary Ann Edmond</B></div> <div> Grand Rapids Public School teacher who researched and wrote about local </div> <div> African American Community and Underground Railroad in Michigan.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1989      W.D.  Frankforter</B></div> <div>    As Public Museum director he was responsible for numerous exhibits </div> <div>    featuring local ethnic groups. </div> <bR> <div> <B>1990      Mary Jane Dockeray, Ph. D</B></div> <div>    Developed Blandford Nature Center, including the historic structures and </div> <div>    planned historic activities.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1991      William Bennett</B></div> <div>    Author of a history of East Grand Rapids.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1992      J. Wagner Wheeler</B></div> <div>    Director of Grand Rapids Inter-Tribal Council and founder of Michigan </div> <div>    Indian Press.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1993      Evelyn M. Sawyer</B></div> <div>    Genealogist and volunteer at Grand Rapids Public Library, responsible for </div> <div>    numerous local genealogical indexes and publications.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1994      Melvin C. Goolsby</B></div> <div>    Local African American historian and genealogist.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1995      Herbert Brinks, Ph. D</B></div> <div>    Calvin College professor, head of Heritage Collection, and author of </div> <div> <I>   </I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Tahoma" ><I>Write Back Soon, Letters from Dutch immigrants in America</I></FONT><I>.</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>1996      Eduard A. Skendzel, Ph. D</B></div> <div>    Author of numerous books on Polish in Michigan and creator of Skendzel </div> <div>    Collection of Michigan Polish history material at Grand Rapids Public Library.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1997      Jane H. Idema</B></div> <div>    Founder of Aquinas College Emeritus College, and  Greater Grand Rapids </div> <div>    Women's History Council.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1998      Richard Harms, Ph. D</B></div> <div>    Archivist at Grand Rapids Public Library and Calvin College, author of <I>G</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Tahoma" ><I>rand </I></FONT></div> <div> <I>   Rapids Goes To War: The Home Front In World War II</I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Tahoma" >, and numerous </FONT></div> <div>    articles on local history.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1999      Jo Ellyn Clarey</B></div> <div> Women's history activist who organized 100th year celebration of Women's    Suffrage Convention in Grand Rapids.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2000      Rev. Dennis Morrow</B></div> <div>                        Expert on historic houses of Grand Rapids, created  historic houses of </div> <div>                        Grand Rapids archives at Grand Rapids Public Library.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2001      Edward V. Gillis</B></div> <div> Author of <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Tahoma" ><I>Growing Up In Old Lithuanian Town</I></FONT>.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2002      Gordon Olson</B></div> <div> Grand Rapids City Historian for 23 years and author of numerous books </div> <div> on city history.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2003      Charles Bocskey</B></div> <div> Longtime president of Grand Rapids Historical Society responsible for energizing annual lecture series, expanding membership and increasing financial support.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2004      </B><B>Bruce and Marcia Butgereit</B></div> <div> Conceivers of the restoration of the Kent County Civil War Monument and dedicated local historians.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2005      Bill Cunningham</B></div> <div> 25 years of dedicated work in the creation and development of the </div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.grand-rapids.mi.us/165" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.grand-rapids.mi.us/165"><U>Grand Rapids Community Archives and Records Center</U></A>.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2006     Dr. Carl Bajema</B></div> <div> GVSU Professor, collector, historian and Grand Rapids Historical Commission member.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="http://www.grhistory.org/id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.grhistory.org/id27.htm"><U><B>RETURN TO FEATURES PAGE</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.grhistory.org/index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.grhistory.org/index.htm"><U><B>RETURN TO HOME PAGE</B></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>