Paths of Destruction The story of West Michigan's Worst Natural Disaster: the Tornadoes of April 3, 1956 by Ernie Ostuno published by the Grand Rapids Historical Society Price: $29.95 Historical Society members: $24 CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN ORDER FORM FOR THIS BOOK (Microsoft WORD format) With material collected by author Ernie Ostuno, an employee of the National Weather Service, the book includes a narrative of the events that day newspaper headlines, maps, and photos over 100 personal remembrances DVD including interviews with witnesses and footage from home movies Four tornados struck West Michigan that horrific day, including the most powerful and deadly tornado in placeWest Michigan history. Eighteen people were killed and over 300 injured. ". . .Then we saw this giant tree rise up from the ground in slow motion, pulling its roots with it, along with big chunks of cement. It rose up about three feet in the air and slowly lay down to the north, just missing the garage.” Eugene Schoeneich “. . . Everywhere I looked there was utter destruction, and everywhere another picture. . . . Surprisingly, there were a number of armed National Guardsmen already on duty to curb any problems and I was constantly having to prove that I was a legitimate newsperson.” Henry F. Zeman, photojournalist for the Grand Rapids Press “. . . Then the windows exploded and doors flew off their hinges, and as I crouched on the living room floor, I saw a wall disintegrating as it fell toward me.” Maxine (Brower) Baker
Strike! How the Furniture Workers Strike of 1911 Changed Grand Rapids by Jeffrey Kleiman Grand Rapids Historical Commission, 2006 $14.95 At the beginning of the 20th century, furniture factories dominated the physical and economic landscape of Grand Rapids. More than 60 factories employed more than 5000 workers making it truly the “furniture capital” of the nation. The workers were asking for a nine-hour day, a 10% raise, and the abolition of pay based on piecework. Factory owners refused to make concessions to any of the demands. In mid-April 1911, growing tensions between furniture manufacturers and factory workers erupted in a city wide strike that affected nearly every company and lasted throughout the summer, bringing much of the city to a standstill for four months. Gordon Olson comments, “With the first book-length analysis of the 1911 furniture strike, and the subsequent changes it brought to city government, Dr. Jeffrey Kleiman has made a major contribution to the understanding of Grand Rapids history. Many readers will be surprised to learn that such a significant work stoppage took place in Grand Rapids, and that its repercussions are being felt to the present day.” The Grand Rapids Labor Heritage Society has produced a monument in honor of the workers in the 1911 furniture strike. Named "The Spirit of Solidarity", the monument will be dedicated in August. It will be placed on Pearl Street near the entrance to the Ford Museum and on the southern end of Ah-Nab-Awen Park. To view an image of it, and to find out more, visit www.laborheritage.com.
Memorials of the Grand River Valley Reprint of the first (1878) book-length history of Grand Rapids area based on interviews with original settlers Hardcover $24.95
Born to Wander: Biography of John Ball Reprint of the life history of well-know early Grand Rapids resident, including his trip on the Oregon Trail. Hardcover $24.95
Flight to Freedom The story of the Vietnamese of West Michigan $15.00
Grand Rapids and its Peoples History written for the Grand Rapids Public Schools written at 5th - 8th grade level. CD included with teaching aids. $19.95
The Grand Rapids Sampler Collection of primary sources and photographs Hardcover $29.92
Grand Rapids Goes to War Grand Rapids homefront during World War II $19.95
Growing up in Old Lithuanian Town History of the Lithuanian Community in Grand Rapids from the 1880s to World War II $24.95