Community Updates: Friday, May 12

New Traveling Exhibit Exploring the History, Impact of Jim Crow Coming to the Grand Rapids Public Museum Next Month

On Monday, the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) sent out a press release to announce that a new traveling exhibit will be coming to the Museum next month.

This exhibit, called Overcoming Hateful Things: Stories from the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Imagery, comes from the Jim Crow Museum (JCM) at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. It was developed by Dr. David Pilgrim, the Founder/Director of the Jim Crow Museum, and design firm Howard+Revis (whose work includes exhibits at the Smithsonian, the African American Civil War Museum, the National Civil Rights Museum, and more).

According to Monday's press release, Hateful Things will "[explore] the Jim Crow system, the African American experience through the Jim Crow era, and the legacies of the Jim Crow system in modern society." The JCM, Ferris State University, and the GRPM hope that this exhibit will allow visitors to learn meaningful lessons from the history conveyed through artifacts and memorabilia, as well as foster a greater understanding of how this history continues to have an impact on contemporary society. Bill Pink, the President of Ferris State University, made the following statement in the Museum's media release:

"The Jim Crow Museum is not merely an archive of our history -- it is an educational experience as well as a reminder that racial injustice persists even now. Ferris State University is incredibly proud of the work that Dr. Pilgrim and the JCM have done to create critical conversations around race. The addition of the Hateful Things traveling exhibit offers the opportunity for a growing number of individuals to bear witness to the African American experience through the Jim Crow era and beyond. It is exactly this kind of expansion of awareness that leads to lasting change."

The GRPM has stated that this exhibit contains some content that may be inappropriate for certain age groups (due to "mature themes, images, and language"). As such, the Museum suggests that parents/guardians do not bring children under 12 to visit this exhibit. It is also requiring that any minors under the age of 18 have adult supervision.

Overcoming Hateful Things: Stories from the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Imagery will open on Saturday, June 3 and will be at the Grand Rapids Public Museum through Sunday, September 3.

City of Grand Rapids, Mobile GR Make Changes to DASH Service

As of Wednesday, the Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) has undergone several notable changes to its route and schedule.

In a press release that was sent out by the City of Grand Rapids and Mobile GR on Tuesday, these changes were outlined. Grand Rapidians will now be able to take advantage of new DASH stops at Bridge Street Market, the Grand Rapids Public Library (Main Library), and along Leonard Street. The DASH schedule has also changed, with the shuttle coming every 15 minutes during the following times:

According to Josh Naramore, the Director of Mobile GR:

"The DASH is now focused primarily on serving residents and visitors of Grand Rapids. We are especially excited to bring back late night and weekend service. Staff has engaged with the community and local stakeholders, and will continue to improve and adapt this service."

The City of Grand Rapids and Mobile GR intend to expand DASH service to include Monday and Tuesday in the future. 

For more information, including a map of the new DASH route, visit the City of Grand Rapids' website.

Also in the News:

• The Heritage Hill Association has announced that tickets are available for this year's Heritage Hill Annual Weekend Tour of Homes (which will be taking place on Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21). For more information, visit the Heritage Hill Association's website.

• The 2023 Amway River Bank Run will be taking place in Grand Rapids on Saturday, May 13.

Sharing Your Stories

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