July 2018 Events

South Capitol Ave. Walking Tour

Saturday, July 28, 2018 - 10:00 a.m.

Tour meets on Capitol Square

            Join HSGL for a walk down South Capitol Ave. where we'll be discussing architecture, people, and the growth of the city on Saturday, July 28. Once home to the wooden capitol building, beautiful brownstones, and elegant residences, South Capitol Ave has morphed into a place of business and civic pleasure with the construction of two Masonic Temples, the development and beautification of Reutter Park, and the creation of the downtown branch of the Capitol Area District Library. The tour will also wander by some properties west of Capitol Ave., including the Porter Apartment Building/Hotel and the old YMCA.

Congratulations to the 2018 Morris Peckham Award Winners!

            Sgt. Justin Moore and Msgr. George Michalek J.C.L. were honored at the annual meeting of the Historical Society of Greater Lansing for their efforts to preserve Lansing history.

            The Robert J. Morris and Linda R. Peckham Towering Achievement Award was presented by Linda Peckham, spouse of the late Robert Morris. The award was created by Peckham as a way to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the preservation of Lansing history.

Morris and Peckham were among the first to recognize the importance of preserving Lansing history and were also pioneers in adaptive reuse when they restored the St. Mary’s Convent and converted it into condominiums.

            Moore was recognized for his efforts in leading the Lansing Police Department’s 125^th Anniversary celebration and Michalek for his role in the establishment of the Diocese of Lansing Archive.

            Each of the award winners received a personalized plaque illustrated with a stylized version of the Olds Tower made from a “found” printing plate from the 1930s.

June 2018 Events

Upcoming Events

1968: A Year in American History and Its Impact on the East Lansing Area

Wednesday, June 13, 2018 - 7:00 p.m.

East Lansing High School Student Union - 509 Burcham Dr.

            The year 1968 brought more fighting in Vietnam, the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy, and the Democratic Convention in Chicago. Locally in East Lansing there were issues like open housing and ending the ban on alcohol sales in East Lansing.

           

            A panel of area residents, including Clarence Underwood, Sarah Fryer, and Nelson Brown will revisit this dramatic year and what it meant for the East Lansing area. Lynn Jondahl will moderate. The event is sponsored by the East Lansing Foundation and the Historical Society of Greater Lansing.

HSGL Annual Meeting, Cherry Hill Walking Tour

Thursday, June 14, 2018  - 6:30 p.m.

Cherry Hill Park - 515 River St.

            On Thursday, June 14, HSGL members are asked to attend a very brief annual meeting, at which we’ll vote on next year’s board and enjoy some ice cream! The proposed slate of officers for the 2018-2019 HSGL year is:

President - Bill Castanier

Vice President - Valerie Marvin

Secretary - Ron Emery

Treasurer - Tim Kaltenback

Trustee - Cathy Babcock

Trustee - Helen Mickens

Trustee - Zig Olds

Trustee - Mary Kwas

            An all-new tour of the Cherry Hill neighborhood will begin at 7:00 p.m. One of Lansing’s last surviving late-19th century neighborhoods, Cherry Hill is full of architectural gems that were once home to some of the city’s best-known business and civic leaders. Learn about the people who originally built Cherry Hill and the evolution of the neighborhood into a one-time home of the arts and business, while enjoying a pleasant evening walk.

Learn more about HSGL’s July and August walking tours at www.lansinghistory.org.

Modern as Tomorrow:

Mid-Century Modern Architecture Along the Michigan Roadside

by Christine Byron & Tom Wilson

Thursday, June 21, 2018 - 7:00 p.m.

Library of Michigan 702 W. Kalamazoo

            The Michigan roadside landscape changed dramatically after WWII with the rise of “mid-century modern” architecture. Sometimes referred to as “googie,” “jetset,” “space-age,” “Jetsons,” or “populuxe,” this style of architecture is characterized by flat planes, geometric angles, large glass windows, 1950’s colors, and oftentimes flat roofs. Although Michigan produced a wealth of well-known architects, such as Alden B. Dow and Eero Saarinen, most of the motels, restaurants, and gas stations in this presentation were not created by such well-known figures. And unlike the buildings by these famous architects, most of the roadside mid-century modern buildings have beed razed, significantly changed, or “remuddled.” Through their postcard and ephemera collection, Byron and Wilson have tried to document this architectural period that was once seen on every major highway in Michigan. 

Christine and Tom share a love of Michigan and a fascination with its history. They are co-authors of the five books in the Vintage Views series. The pictorial histories, illustrated with vintage images and ephemera, explore the development of tourism in Michigan. They also have a regular column in Michigan Blue magazine. They live in Grand Rapids.

Lansing Police Department 125th Anniversary Exhibit

            Stop by Lansing City Hall anytime during normal business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.) to see HSGL’s 2018 summer exhibit celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Lansing Police Department. The exhibit chronicles the evolution of the police department from its official founding in 1893 to the present day through dozens of photographs, unique artifacts (like an old blue call box), police-related equipment, educational puppets, uniforms, and memorabilia from the old charity Bull Bowls, better known as Pigs vs. Freaks. Special thanks to LPD for partnering with HSGL for this one-of-a-kind anniversary celebration.