Grand Rapids Historical Society

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Grand Rapids Historical Society

The mission of the Grand Rapids Historical Society is to preserve an accurate record of our past and share our diverse local history to future generations. B.

The Grand Rapids Historical Society (GRHS) began at 8:00 pm on November 30, 1894, in the office of Mayor E. Fisher. There were ten men present who put together the following purpose; “To organize an association whose purpose it would be to collect and preserve books, papers, pamphlets, maps and other material of historic value and interest on Michigan.” Three weeks later, on Dec. 19, the Articles

of Association and Incorporation were adopted and the society was officially named Historical Society of Michigan. Our first formal meeting was Dec. 22, at city hall, at 8pm. By 1895 the Society had changed their name to The Historical Society of Grand Rapids, and included in their articles that “the objects of the Association are not for profit, but to institute and encourage historical inquiry….” Membership originally was limited to the successful, educated, elite citizens of Grand Rapids. There is no record of any woman members in 1895. A membership cost $1; a life membership was $50. Patron supporters gave $250. Records show that eleven years later the Society was reorganized and placed under the patronage of the Grand Rapids Public Library. Records also indicate that Mrs. James Campbell was Vice-President in 1924, and is the first woman listed in our records. The GRHS has been reorganized a few times over the last 120 years. Once was near the start of the Great Depression and lasted until WWII. It’s then believed that the Society was dormant during the years of WWII and the immediate aftermath. However, by 1951, citizens of Grand Rapids were focusing on the changes brought on by the war and were looking to preserve Grand Rapids for the future. Thus on April 19th of 1951, 60 people met to make plans for a new Historical Society. On May 10, 1951, the Grand Rapids Historical Society that exists today adopted its Statement of Purpose and appointed 15 individuals to the Board of Directors. The Grand Rapids Public Library has the records of the GRHS from 1951 through today, and it remains the meeting place for the Board of Trustees of the GRHS. The Society still has a wonderful working relationship with the library and encourages all those interested in history to visit the Grand Rapids History and Special Collections Dept. on the 4th floor of the Main Library where more information can be found on this Society, and Grand Rapids history as a whole.

05/15/2026

David Britten is presented the Albert Baxter Award by Society Recording Secretary Nan Schichtel at the program on Thursday May 14, 2026. Congratulations David Britten! And thank you Nan Schichtel.

05/07/2026

The Albert Baxter Award was created in 1980 by the Grand Rapids Historical Society to honor persons who have made significant contributions to the preservation and interpretation of Grand River Valley history. The Award was named in honor of Albert Baxter, one of Grand Rapids early historians who published, History of the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1891.

The Trustees of the Grand Rapids Historical Society are pleased to announce the 2026 Albert Baxter Award Honoree - David G. Britten, US Army Lt. Col. (Ret.)! David will receive the Award at the Annual Meeting on May 14, 2026. To RSVP for this event, please follow the EVENTS tab on the GRHS website.

David Britten’s publications / media includes: (not complete)
100 Years at the Lee Street School. (book) David Britten & Thomas DeGennaro. 2023.
A.J. Longstreet. (article). Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 24-1. Feb. 2024.
Aluminum Extrusion Plant. (article). Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 23-2. Aug. 2023.
Body by Fisher. (article). Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 24-2. Aug. 2024.
Bottling Pepsi. (article). Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 23-2. Aug. 2023.
Courage without Fear: The Story of the Grand Rapids Guard. (book). Xlibris: 2004. Available on Amazon.
From Beals Road to 28th Street, a History of The Miracle Mile. (book) Editor with Bill Branz and Vicki Briggs. Wyoming Historical Society, 2022.
The Grand Valley Armory: Home of the 126th Infantry Since 1965. (article). Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 25-1. Feb. 2025.
Leonard-Kelvinator. (article). Article. Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 23-2. Aug. 2023.
Picric Town. (article). Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 23-1. Feb. 2023.
The Siple Murder: (program documents)
South Grand Rapids. (article). Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 23-2. Aug. 2023.
Wyoming Library. (article). Article. Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 23-2. Aug. 2023.
Wyoming’s First Auto Factory. (article). Article. Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 25-1. Feb. 2025.
Wyoming’s First Catholic Church and School. (article). Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 24-2. Aug. 2024.

05/02/2026

This is the link to the April 1956 tornado presentation that was given by Ernie Ostuno on April 9 2026. Please ignore the introduction as I was unaware that I should not be pacing as I spoke (apology from Gina Bivins) Thank you GRTV for your help in getting this ready.

Ernie Ostuno: The Story of West Michigan's Worst Natural Disaster | GR Historical Society

04/30/2026

Information for the May event is on our web page

Since 1894, the Grand Rapids Historical Society has been collecting and preserving the heritage of the Grand River Valley, commonly known today as West Michigan.

04/10/2026

April 9, 2026 the Society and the Public Library hosted Ernie Ostuno who talked about the tornados of April 3, 1956. We had an audience of over 70 people including one who was there in the midst of the chaos. But, we know everyone who was interested could not make it. We are hoping to have a video up on line soon that covers the presentation. We still have some Paths of Destruction books available. There is a DVD that comes with that book.
The Alpine Township Historical Commission also put out a book about the April 11, 1965 tornado. There is a DVD that comes with that book. The DVD is narrated by Ernie Ostuno.
Mr. Ostuno will be giving a few more presentations this spring at Senior Centers.
New pictures are added to page: West Michigan Tornadoes of April 3, 1956.

03/26/2026

Our March Photo Sleuth selection comes from the Robinson Photo Studio Collection from the Grand Rapids Public Library and is from December, 1942. Five students from Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church are at their desks drinking milk. If anyone in this picture looks familiar please let us know!

03/13/2026

Thank you Matt Ellis for a great program.

03/08/2026

We hope to see you on Thursday March 12 at the Ryerson Auditorium in the "downtown" Library. Matt Ellis will be presenting a program about Mugshots and police records. The program starts at 7pm.

02/23/2026

Hibbard, Rose & Co. (Wellington Hibbard, Andrew J. Rose & Philip Graff, Crescent Mills (and Star Mill) in 1876, as the wooden office building is being built on Pearl St.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18Dd94M2ug/

Photo taken in 1876 as the wooden offices are being built.

Years before it was Voigt Crescent Mill, it was Hibbard & Graff, Crescent Mill (1874–1882)

Crescent Mills, (the foundation was built by William T. Powers and sat for four years), west end of Pearl street bridge, were erected in 1874–75 by Hibbard, Rose & Co. (Wellington Hibbard, Andrew J. Rose & Philip Graff, (Jr.?) The mill proper is 30 x 60 feet in size, with three stories and a basement. The warehouse attached is 36 x 50 feet and is also three stories high. These, with an office two stories in height on the front, are all brick buildings. The original cost of the mill was $65,000, which included the machinery; the mill was equipped with the best machinery available on the market at the time. Seven runs-of-burrs were put in to be used for flour only. Fifty thousand barrels per year have been the average product of these mills. In 1876, the mill passed into the hands of Hibbard & Graff, who operated it until July 1880, when John F. Graff, Jr., leased the mill and machinery and has since operated it. The machinery is driven by water power. The flour ranks among the first brands in the State of Michigan. Mr. Graff is a member of the State Miller’s Association. Sales of flour are mostly made in New England, all being sold on orders, except for 50 barrels per day for home consumption. The capacity of the mills is about 180 barrels per day. The company ships about eight carloads of flour per week; 14 men find constant employment, and the mill is under the personal charge of Milan Hibbard, an efficient miller.

Photo courtesy Grand Rapids Public Museum Voigt collection, 1987.43.1.273

Photo retouched February 2026 by James R. Winslow using Adobe Firefly Gemini AI Pro (Nano Banana Pro) and Adobe Photoshop.

01/20/2026

Our January Photo Sleuth selection comes from the Robinson Photo Studio Collection from the Grand Rapids Public Library and is from March 14, 1950. A woman leading a craft class at Brough Community Center stands behind a table with two girls. She helps one with clay; the second girl looks on. If anyone in this picture looks familiar, please let us know!

Address

111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI
49503

Telephone

+16169885497

Website

http://www.grhistory.org/

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