|
|
 |
Newsletter of the Battle Creek Regional History Museum |
- January 2023 - |
|
HAPPY NEW YEAR! |
Looking back at 2022, it was a tremendous year for the Battle Creek Regional History Museum. We held many wonderful events, and made tremendous progress on our renovations as well. We also completed a successful capital campaign to raise the funds needed to complete the History Education Center. The new HEC room project is well underway and we plan to hold a special grand opening ceremony for that room around May of 2023. |
| Between August 15th and October 15th, we ran a campaign to raise money and receive matching funds from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and the community really stepped up with a show of support for the History Education Center Project. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The progress continues as we are still collecting historic photos for the large photo collage to go into the room which will not only include portraits from local history, but also regional history. Photos have been collected from the Willard Library archives, individual historians, the State of Michigan archives and the Library of Congress. To the right is an example of a photo that will be featured on one of the walls. This is a portrait of Myrtle Jettner (1918 - 2005) whose final resting place is at Reece Cemetery in Springfield. During World War II she was a welder in the Seattle shipyards. She was so successful in her trade, that she became an instructor in welding for Allen Industries. During the war, because of her small stature, she was often given the task of climbing into small areas of ships that were under construction to do welding in tight places men on the crew were incapable of reaching. Later in life, she worked for the Kellogg Company for over 25 years. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| The photo to the left is Mattie Azalia Willis (1912 - 1970) who was a well known singer with a successful professional career, and she was also a music teacher. She was born in Battle Creek, and attended Battle Creek Central High School in 1929, where she was a member of the glee club and school chorus. She later attended Battle Creek College where she studied piano, voice and violin. Music would become her life’s work, both as a concert performer, a radio artist, and a lecturer on music to various groups. She will be featured on the wall of the History Education Center as part of our Music Legacy portrait collection for the region. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
These portraits, along with 100 plus other photos will be featured on the walls of this room. It is a complex project, but we are on track with our plans to have a grand opening on the room sometime around May of 2023. Stay tuned for more updates in future newsletters. |
|
A Look back at Museum Events in 2022 |
In June, we had a special tribute event to Del Shannon which featured James Popenhagen, and Del Shannon Biographer Brian Young. They spoke about the history of the music legends’ career, as well as his life in Battle Creek and also shared some of their own personal stories. Members of the Del Shannon family attended, as well as fans from all over the State of Michigan for this special musical tribute and tour through his musical timeline. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| In July we had a full house in attendance at an event on the history of the Fire Department in Battle Creek, presented by Tom Cummins! It was a fascinating tour through an exciting history of heroes who charge into burning buildings and rescue those in need! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Also in July, we hosted Nancy Smit (right) from the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi on the History of the NHBP. Nancy’s talk was a fascinating tour through the timeline of the tribal history in the region, as well as an uplifting success story of NHBP today! This was another event that was well attended! |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
In September, Historian Amy South held a special Tea & Cookies event on local history. She had been the author of a local history column in the Battle Creek Enquirer, having written over 200 articles in her time there. Amy returned again in December and gave another talk on Christmas Traditions. |
| In October, Richard Schlatter was the guest speaker for a presentation on Abraham Lincoln called ‘The Legacy of Lincoln & the Rest of the Story’ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
In December, the museum hosted two sold out performances on Saturday, December 17th of ‘Tales of Christmas Past’ featuring Dave Eddy, Donna Rickman, Bobbie Mathis, Michael Delaware, Brian McCombs and Jill McCombs. The evening performance included readings of Christmas stories from the Victorian Era in newspapers from Michigan and around the U.S. Sound effects were provided by a team from Critical Computer Solutions Matt Williams and Mike Pier. The stories and poems presented were researched and organized by Michael Delaware, Donna Rickman and Kurt Thornton. The show was Directed and Produced by Michael Delaware. Sponsors of the event were Biggby Coffee, Honor Credit Union and BC Sound. |
 |
(Left to Right) Dave Eddy, Donna Rickman, Bobbie Mathis, Jill McCombs, Brian McCombs and Michael Delaware. |
These and many more incredible events were held at the museum in 2022, and we have even more amazing events planned for the coming New Year! |
|
CALENDAR OF EVENTS |
What is coming next? |
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! |
Note: All events are free, unless otherwise noted. As always, donations are appreciated! In 2023, we will be featuring our events also on Eventbrite. |
____________ Saturday, January 21st 1:00 - 3:00 PM Stories of Heroism: The Battle Creek Fire Department in the Early Years Guest Speaker: Tom Cummins Click Here to Register for this event! |
 |
____________ Latin American History in Southwest Michigan Saturday, February 25th 1:00 - 3:00 PM |
|
 |
|
MUSEUM HOURSThe Battle Creek Regional History Musem is open: Saturdays 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM & Sundays Noon - 5:00 PM |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Become a Member of the Museum Today! |
Become a member of the museum. You will recieve the newsletter, plus special invitations to museum events. You will also be supporting our efforts to preserve history for generations to come! Basic Membership: $35 Family Membership (up to four individuals): $50 Senior Citizens (Over 60) & Students: $30 with valid ID Sign up for your membership here: https://bcrhm.org/join |
|
Join the 1850 Club! |
 |
We are pleased to introduce the new 1850 Club at the Battle Creek Regional History Museum. Why 1850 Club you might ask? 1850 was the year that Battle Creek officially became chartered as a village in the State of Michigan. It also was a time of a thriving milling industry, the Underground Railroad, spirited public gatherings, the Michigan Central Railroad bringing circuses and entertainment, parades, and so much more for this emerging community. In the spirit of tradition from this wonderful pioneer time in our history, we have established the 1850 Club to provide continual support for the Battle Creek Regional History Museum, to preserve our local history for generations to come. It will offer a higher level of membership benefits for those that enroll in the program, above that of our standard membership. By joining the 1850 Club, you commit to making a monthly recurring donation of $18.50 to the museum (or an annual donation of $222) and receive all of the benefits of the standard Museum membership, plus: Email Subscription to the exclusive 1850 Club Newsletter: The Carriage Club A bonus free guest pass for all speaking events 15% Club discounts on all online museum merchandise 10% Club discounts on all gift store items Free admission to 1850 Club member only events
So join the 1850 Club by following this link today! |
|
|
|
|
|
