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Tim Gleisner, manager of the Grand Rapids Public Library's Local History and Special Collections Department /Grand Rapids Public Library's Local History and Special Collections Department
Democrat William Jennings Bryan, circa 1896 /Grand Rapids Public Library's Local History and Special Collections Department
Samuel Ranck, first director of the Grand Rapids Public Library, holds a box of letters written by early pioneer John Ball /Grand Rapids Herald, 1923
Explore some of the outstanding historical items and records about the Grand Rapids area Thursday evening, May 12 when the Grand Rapids Historical Society sponsors its annual banquet and meeting.
Tim Gleisner, manager of the Grand Rapids Public Library Local History Department, will highlight some of the library's significant items in this premier repository of our community history in his presentation "Lost and Found at the Grand Rapids Public Library." The program gets under way at 6:30 p.m. at the historic Women's City Club, 254 East Fulton Street, originally the Hill District mansion of early settler Martin Sweet.
The audience can expect a delightful trip back in time with a look at several historical events, including the canoe routes of trail-blazing French voyageurs, early shipbuilding ventures on the Grand River, pioneering Catholic missionary priests, the extravagant 1926 celebration marking the city's centennial and a look at Christmas Eve in Grand Rapids following the end of World War II.
Along the way you'll learn more about some of the city's significant players who created the history we know today that's documented in the impressive collection of artifacts in the GRPL Local History and Special Collections Department.
It is staggering to even contemplate the sheer amount of work it took to gather the thousands of items and records by those passionate about Grand Rapids and West Michigan history. Yet, by the selfless efforts of these historical forebears, the GRPL is blessed to be a steward of such an esteemed collection.
Cocktails will be available starting at 6:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. in the building's beautiful dinning room and prepared by the club's renowned chefs. Tours of the Women's City Club's 1860s building will also be available.
Cost is $27 for Historical Society members and their guests, and $32 for non-members. To attend, write your check in the appropriate amount to the Grand Rapids Historical Society and mail to: Grand Rapids Historical Society, c/o Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 by the end of this week.
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