GRPL Collections

Finding Aids

Collections are processed and assigned a collection number and name. Each of the processed collections has a written descriptive document called a finding aid. All of the finding aids listed below are available at the The Grand Rapids History & Special Collections Department. Check back soon to see more of our online versions of these finding aids.

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Collection Number		Collection Name
1		Nancy Mulnix. Papers.
2		John S. Lawrence. Papers.
3		Loretta Ortt. Papers.
4		World Affairs Council. Records
5		U.S. Army. 32nd Michigan Infantry Co. H. Papers.
6		Paul I. Phillips. Papers.
7		Amasa B. Watson Post #395. Dept. of Michigan. Grand Army of the Republic. Records.
8		Russell Family. Papers.
9		Robert and Harold Woodcock
10		Henry H. Masten. Papers.
11		Louis Moran. Papers.
12		Reubey S.T. Ferris Recollections
13		Harlan P. Colby Recollections
14		Edward Comstock Corwin. Papers.
15		Friedrich Brothers Music House. Papers.
16		John Sehler. Papers.
17		Widdicomb and John Widdicomb Companies. Records.
18		George E. Fitch. Collection.
19		Frank Lee DuMond. Papers.
20		Grand Rapids Federation of Women's Clubs. Records.
21		Curtis Riverboat Enterprises. Records.
22		Frank and Robert Cebelak Collection.
23		Godfrey J. Anderson. Manuscripts.
24		Charles H. Bender. Correspondence.
25		Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Manuscript.
26		William Albert Johnson Collection.
27		Howard F. Baxter and Robert T. Baxter Collection
28		Annie M. Leitch Papers.
29		Grand Rapids Typographical Union no. 39. Records.
30		Grand Rapids Branch of the Needlework of America.
31		Ryskamp Brothers, Inc. Records.
32		East Side Ladies Literary Club. Papers.
33		Godfrey Anderson Collection.[This no. previously used for Film Col. Xreferences still exist in some finding aids!]
34		Kent County Health Department. Records.
35		Trolley Topics
36		Woman Magazine
37		Pere Marquette Railroad Co. Collection.
38		Trades and Labor Council. Labor Day. Programs.
39		Michigan Cyclist
40		Cadette Everett Fitch. Collection.
41		The Western Wheelman Collection.
42		Thomas W. Porter Archaelogical & Grand Rapids Graphics
43		Morris Photo Collection.
44		John Ball Papers.
45		Kent County Family Life Council. Records.
46		Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. Records.
47		Grand Rapids Industrial Corporation. Records.
48		Robert W. Irwin Company. Records.
49		William M. Glenn. Papers.
50		Grand Rapids Inter-Tribal Council. Indian History Project. Records.
51		Grand Rapids Citizens League. Papers.
52		Ashbel Green & William Bond vs. The Chicago, Saginaw & Canada Railroad.
53		Maurice La Claire. Portraits.
54		Grand Rapids Public Library Photo Collection
55		Spring Funeral Home. Records.
56		Kreigh Collins Collection.
57		Ypsilanti Reed Furniture Co., The Ypsi-Doodler
58		Grand Rapids Chicks. Collection.
59		James R. Hooper Photograph Collection
60		Ottawa Hills Elementary PTA. Records.
61		Coffinberry Family. Papers.
62		Globe Knitting Works Photo Collection.
63		J. Gerald Vinkemulder Collection.
64		Crosby Family Papers.
65	Native American Oral History Project Records.
66	Guy Johnston Photo Collection
67	Grand Rapids City Welfare Department. Scrip Labor Collection.
68	Grand Rapids Public Library Native American Photo Collection.
69	Charles Vandervelde Photo Collection.
70	Charles Merrill Photo Collection
71	Massey Family Photo Collection
72	Birdseye Veneer Company Photo Album
73	Camera Shop Photo Album
74	Brewer Family Papers
75	Thomas E. Walsh Papers
76	Grand Rapids Public Library Stereo Card Collection
77	Fannie Phipps Dautrich Post Card Collection
78	Grand Rapids Public Library Post Card Collection
79	Bos Leather Company Records
80	Ray Lewis Badgley Papers
81	Mary Free Bed Guild and Hospital Records
82	Grand Rapids Study Club Records
83	Old Residents Association of the Grand River Valley Records
84	Furniture Manufacturers Association Records
85	Sluman S. Bailey Papers
86	Grand Rapids Authors' Night Collection
87	Grand Rapids Public Library Cyanotype Collection
88	McGee Photograph Collection
89	Catherine (Kay) Swanlund Collection
90	John H. Schouten Photograph Collection
91	Grand Rapids Illustrated Collection
92	Mary Richmond Kendall Photograph Collection
93	Laura Lorenson Photograph Collection
94	Richmond Family Papers
95	R.C. Allen Corporation Records
96	Western Michigan Genealogical Society Church Records
97	Birdsall Funeral Home Records
98	Mercy Central School of Nursing Records
99	Kent County (Mich.) Original Survey Collection
100	City of Grand Rapids Photograph Collection
101	Dorothy Keister Collection
102	Duncan E. Littlefair Sermons
103	Grand Rapids Woman's Club Records
104	Dorothy Leonard Judd Papers
105	Grand Rapids Railway Co. / Grand Rapids Railroad Co. / Grand Rapids Motor Coach Co. Records of Ramona Park
106	Camp Lee Guard Reports
107	Ionia Funeral Home Records
108	339th Ambulance Company Collection
109	Grand Rapids Public Library Records/ GRPL Administrative Archives
110	Dorothy E. Hubbard Skinner Collection
111	Delbert W. Blumenshine Collection
112	George A. Miller Pictorials
113	Black History Exhibit Collection
114	Josephene (Josephine) Bender Collection
115	Harland Bartholomew Collection
116	Charles William Erickson Collection [Charles William Erickson Grand Rapids Veterinary College Collection]
117	Henry McConnell Collection
118	Grand Rapids Public Library Urban Renewal Pictorials
119	Lulu L. Cudney Papers
120	Lynn H. Clark Papers
121	Marguerite King Moran Collection
122	Ada, Michigan Glass Plate Negative Collection
123	Caroline P. Campbell Papers
124	Butterworth Hospital Records
125	Robinson Photographic Studio Collection
126	Grattan Township Records
127	Grand Rapids Public Library Woman's Suffrage Collection
128	Stephen Deming. Stover Collection.
129	Grand Rapids Rotary Club Records
130	Grand Rapids Academy of Medicine Collection
131	Grand Rapids Township Death Records
132	Kent County Bridges Collection
133	News Photographs Collection
134	Robert Veit Fire Department Photographs
135	Lee Family Collection
136	Thomas Glass Plate Negatives
137	Cannon Township Death Records
138	Pictorial History of Grand Rapids Collection
139	Grand Rapids (Michigan) Camera Club Collection
140	John A. Suchowolec Collection
141	Grand Rapids Historical Society Reords
142	Michigan Authors Collection
143	Austin Automobile Co. Collection
144	Kent County Men in the Civil War Collection
145	Frank C. Kinsey
146	Sumner Merrill Wells, Jr. Papers
147	Mary Emily Schroeder Papers
148	Lawrence Maile Papers
149	Emily Deming Collection
150	Kilmer Family Collection
151	Kenneth C. Welch Collection
152	Munro Family Collection
153	Joan Van Malsen Collection
154	Bethuel Church Diary
155	Stegmier Family Collection
156	The Grand Rapids Area Humanities Council
157	Latzek Funeral Home Records
158	Helen Mae Meade Scrapbook
159	Aurey Strohpaul Negatives
160	Helen Earlene Risinger Collection (Beans)
161	Cultural Services Consolidation Committee Records
162	Grand Rapids Public Library Glass Plate Negative Collection
163	Kent County Council for Historic Preservation Oral History Collection
164	The Grand Rapids Public Library Oral History Collection
165	James Bayne Company Negatives
166	Grand Rapids Press Monday Guest Oral History Collection
167	Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council Oral History Collection
168	Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids Oral History Collection
169	Arthur W. Weber, Jr. Papers
170	Wolverine Brass Company Collection
171	John W. Champlin Correspondence
172	Swift Family Diaries
173	United States Army Weather School Collection
174	Women's Committee of the Council on National Defense. Grand Rapids Unit (Michigan). Records
175	Grand Rapids Public Library Video and Film Collection
176	Ralph B. Baldwin Papers
177	Michigan Department of Transportation Photos
178	Central High School Collection
179	Lipczynski Family Papers
180	Santa Claus Girls Collection
181	Francis Hall Collection
182	Norma L. Gillette Collection
183	James C. Craig Collection
184	Charles W. Darling Copy Photos
185	Grand Rapids Public Library Michigan Room Copy Photograph Collection
186	Edwin Pettis Family Papers
187	Loraine Pratt Immen Collection
188	Bridge Street House Registers
189	John W. Squier Collection
190	Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company Collection
191	Chicago & West Michigan Railway Co. Collection
192	Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway Collection
193	Detroit, Lansing & Northern Railroad Co. Collection
194	Gordon Harrington Collection
195	Grand Rapids Jaycees Records
196	Michigan Central Railroad Company Collection
197	Grand Rapids Public Library Railroads Collection
198	Avery C. Gilleo Collection
199	Madeline Parker Groff Collection
200	Isaac Lewis Tower Correspondence
201	Old Third Michigan Association Collection
202	Harry P. Symes Pictorials and Advertising Collection (renamed for additional material May 8, 2002)
203	Thomas J. Majchrzak Collection
204	Grand Rapids Furniture Designers Association Records
205	Halden Adrion Collection
206	Baker Furniture Company Collection
207	Antrim Iron Company Records
208	George R. Perry Files
209	Western Michigan Navy Mothers' Club of America
210	Ekdal J. Buys. Collection.
211	M.C. Church Diaries.
212	William F. Drueke Photos
213	Kent Base Ball Club Records. (baseball)
214	Campau Family Collection, formerly the Louis Campau Collection [1/15/2002, in revision]
215	Marie Cady Collection. Find Aid incomplete.
216	Grand Rapids Public Library Ephemera Collection. In Continual Process
217	Dora Spring Collection of Diaries, Letters and Photos. In Process
218	American Red Cross. Kent County Chapter.
219	Samuel E. Ranck
220	Meyer Postcard Collection.
221	Philip T. Catalano La Grande Vitesse Project Collection. In Process
222	William A. Seeley Grand Rapids & Michigan Graphics Collection. In Process
223	Kent County Library Tour
224	Grand Rapids Public Library Art & Graphics Collection. In Continual Process
225	The Raymond Karl Sobota Furniture Design Collection
226	John Douglas Image (Slides) Collection. Unprocessed.
227	GRPL Laser & Computer Printer Images Collection. Collecting.
228	Frederick Stuart Church Art Collection. In Process
229	Michigan One Room School House Collection.
230	Rooks Negative Collection. In Process.
231	Marius Rooks City Hall Slide Collection. In Process.
232	Grand Rapids Public Library Furniture Trade Catalogs Collection.
233	Grand Rapids Public Library Furniture Industry Collection.
234	Emily Latzek Jennings Family Photograph Collection. In Process.
235	Grand Rapids Public Library Michigan & Grand Rapids Music Collection. In Process.
236	Grand Rapids Festival, 1969-1980
237	Pitsch Co. (Capital City Wrecking Co.) Photograph Collection
238	Sterling Family Records.
239	Grand Rapids Public Library Scrapbook Collection. In Process.
240	Grand Rapids Public Library Map Collection. Staff database
241	Grand Rapids Sampler. In Process.
242	Civil War Documents Collection. In Process.
243	Gerald R. Ford Photographs & Memorabilia Collection
244	Michigan Soldiers Reported in Civil War Era Newspapers (Carl Bajema)
245	Past Perfect Historic Preservation Collection. Collecting.
246	GRPL General Trade Catalog Collection.
247	Vietnamese History Project [& Resettlement Collection] Draft.
248	Jim Winslow Collection.
249	GRPL African American History Collection. In Process.
250	James Keeney Photo Album, 1858
251	Kent Co. African American Baseball Collection (Jess Elsters) In Process.
252	Ottawa Hills Neighborhood Association Records. In Process.
253	Kay Clark Grand Rapids Dance Collection
254	Grand Rapids Buildings Collection. Collecting.
255	Lawrence Jessup Furniture History Collection
256	Underground Newspapers, ca. 1970's. In Process.
257	Peck Collection (including Murder). In Process.
258	City Renewed. In Process.
259	GRPL Newspaper Collection. In Process.
260	GRPL Womens' History Collection. Collecting.
261	Grand Rapids Playground Association/Recreation Association of Grand Rapids. In Process.
262	Lydens "The Story of Grand Rapids" files. In Process.
263	GRPL Small Manuscripts Collection. Collecting.
264	Making a Difference : outstanding women in Grand Rapids history.
265	Clemetsen Glass & Film Negative Collection. In Process.
266	Lucia Erins Latvian Americans of Grand Rapids Collection. In Process.
267	Blodgett Hospital & Nursing School Records. In Process.
268	Grand Rapids Century : 100 Years of Photographs : Exhibit (A Grand Century : online exhibit version). Exhibit List.
269	Paul Collins Biographical & Exhibit Catalogs Collection
270	Gathered at the River Collection
271	Grand Rapids Baseball
272	Grand Rapids : Past, Present & Future
273	Father Dennis Morrow Buildings Photos
274	Michigan & Grand Rapids Annual Reports Collection
275	Ladies Literary Club Collection (See also Collections 20 & 32)
276	GRPL Furniture Design, Designers & Instructors Collection
277	Hellenic Horizons
278	GRPL Poets & Poetry Collection
279	Lucius Lyon Papers.
280	GRPL Michigan Travel Literature Collection
281	GRPL General Michigan History Collection
282	William Alden Smith Collection.
283	Woman's Christian Temperance Union Collection
284	St. Cecilia Society Records
285	GRPL Michigan & Grand Rapids Serials Collection
286	Grand Rapids City Assessment Office Razed Buildings Files
287	Real Estate Listings Slip Files
288	Greater Grand Rapids Convention & Visitors Bureau
289	Greater Grand Rapids Area Publishers & Publishing Collection
290	GRPL African American Clippings Collection (Bajema)
291	Edward Gillis Growing Up in Old Lithuanian Town Papers & Photographs
292	Hispanic American Oral History Project [Calvin College Latin American History Oral History Project]
293	Ketcham Family Papers
294	Lyman Parks Photos & Newspaper Clippings
295	Rix Robinson Collection
296	Arthur Ormsbee & the Graphic and Printing Industry Collection. 1986.458 + 1987.069 (1987.038?)
297	Grand Rapids Press Collection
298	William Bennett Collection
299	Eduard Adam Skendzel Polonian Historical Collection
299X	Eduard Adam Skendzel Churches Reference Collection
300	Capt. Charles Eugene Belknap Collection
301	Grand Rapids Historical Business, City, and Telephone Directories
302	Fannie Phillips Young Advertising Trade Card Collection
303	City of Grand Rapids. Records. [For the official City Records, see the City Archives]
304	Gerald Elliott Michigan Authors Collection
305	YMCA Collection
306	DAR : Daughters of the American Revolution Collection
307	Grand Rapids Lesbian & Gay Organizations Project Collection
308	Helen Claytor Civil Rights Collection
309	Kent County, Mi. Records. [Unofficial]
310	Grand Rapids in World War II, 1941-1946?
311	Fountain Street Church Collection
312	Kiwanis Club of Grand Rapids
313	Meijer (Meyer) Postcard Collection (65 cards, to date)
314	Michigan Lithographing Collection
315	GRPL Public Domain Images from Historic Book Sources
316	Grand Rapids High Schools Collection (includes yearbooks)
317	George Welsh Collection
318	Grand Rapids in World War I, 1914-1918
319	GRPL Realia Collection
320	Record of Kent County Soldiers and Sailors in Service in the Great War [World War I]
321	Latinos in Western Michigan Collection
322	Albert Builders Architectural Documents Collection
323	Grand Rapids Public Library Fuji Pictography Photographic Prints Collection
324	GRPL Michigan and Grand Rapids Authors & Publications Collection
325	Grand Rapids Public Library Color Photo Collection
326	Milhaupt Dabakay Colorama Studio Collection
327	Marty Arnold Plank Road Collection
328	Michigan Woman and the Whooping Cough Vaccine Collection : Pearl Kendrick, Grace Eldering
329	Wayne T. Vandercook family records, including Senator Henry B. Vandercook
330	Henrietta DeLoof Collection, including Rapids Standard
331	Shakespeariana Club Collection
332	Jackson Davis Dillenback Collection
333	Grand Rapids Ski Club (1954-19??)
334	Mouw Family Papers
335	Grand Rapids Public Library Furniture Design Archival Collection, National Literature
336	Richard F. VenderVeen Papers
337	Grand Rapids Public Library Grand Rapids Symphony Collection
338	Grand Rapids Public Library Opera Grand Rapids Collection
339	Robert Raz and Alberta Massingill Oral History Collection Made possible by the Ryerson Library Foundation
340	Hattem Family Collection
341	Seven Family Glass Plate Negative Collection
342	Ryerson Library Foundation Collection [unprocessed]
343	Heart and Soul: Grand Rapids Neighborhoods [uprocessed]
344	May G. Quigley Collection of Library and Family Documents
345	Judge Stuart Hoffius Records of the Vandenberg Sculpture Committee Project
346	William Hill Photo Collection
347	Grand Rapids Public Library Church References Collection
348	Grand Rapids Teachers Club / Grand Rapids Kindergarten Primary Club (formerly the Grand Rapids Kindergarten Union)
349	Gary L. Hill Broadway Theatre Guild Stage Door Collection
350	Robert E. Haynes Magic Collection
351	Schubert Male Chorus of Grand Rapids, Michigan Collection Historical Records
352	Emma J. Cole Collection
353	The Arab American Community in Grand Rapids Collection
354	Arleigh C. Hitchcock Homestyle Center Collection
355	Poetry of Linda Nemec Foster Collection
356	Archives : Sampling the Past Collection, from the Grand Rapids Public Library exhibit, 2005-2006.
357	Orville Bulman Art References Collection
358	Grand Rapids Public Library Civil Rights Exhibit Collection: Our Voices Our Liberty
359	Thomas R. Wilson Digital Photographs of Grand Rapids, Michigan,2006-
360	The Clark Collection
361	Our Town, the Mark Deremo Photographic Collection
362	John Gelderloos Civil War Research Collections
363	Robert G. Nelson Grand Rapids and Michigan History Collection
364	Thomas R. Dilley Collection

Page last updated: 09/29/08