New fun event - Girl Scout' Architectural Fun Badge! We are working with the Girl Scouts to earn an “Architectural Fun Badge.” We are going on a fun walk by the buildings surroundiing Veteran’s Park such as the Ryerson Library, St. Cecilia’s Music Society, Children’s Museum, etc. and then the girls will be locating and identifying key features to complete a bingo card and earn their badge. This is a new project and hopefully it will be both a learning experience and the kind of fun activity that peak’s the scouts interest in architecture!

NEW PROJECT! One of VanderPloeg’s latest projects is MidtownGR house stories. Shown in this photo is a 1917 Craftsman-style Midtown GR bungalow, the home of Lizzie, a leader in her church, and Eltjo Huttenga who was chief engineer at the Wolverine Brass Company. When Eltjo died young, Lizzie hung on to her beloved home by renting rooms to young professional women (secretaries and teachers, for example). This fun project is one of discovery and placemaking. The house histories bring to life the early 20th-century homeowners who led the way in this popular central city neighborhood.

For example, did you know that Elizabeth Bloomer (Betty Bloomer) Ford grew up on Fountain Street in the Midtown GR Neighborhood. And when you shop at the popular Fulton Street Farmers Market you are at the heart of the Midtown GR Neighborhood!
Watch for more stories coming soon!!

It was so fun to speak at the ceremony following the JULY 4 HOLLYHOCK PARADE and riding in an official Hollyhock Parade car! According to the Calvin-Giddings Patriotic Association, “Many folks enjoyed your sharing of interesting facts and stories around the neighborhood, especially about the racetrack…” The Hollyhock Parade is one of the oldest in the state and celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2024.

Saturday June 29, 2024—

Thank you to all who stopped by to say “hi” and to those who took home a copy of the Ottawa Hills book!

GRAND RAPIDS DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS—

This review from the Spring 2024 edition of the Chronicle published by the Historical Society of Michigan—

“History abounds in the architecture of Grand Rapids,Michigan, yet it is easy to forget that the historical buililngs that compose the downtown area come with stories of their own. In this guide, Pamela VanderPloeg leads readers on a tour of downtown Grand Rapids, pausing at more than 180 structures to explain a bit about their histories. From the 1836 law office of Charles P. Calkins to the 1915 Grand Rpaids Bank Building — today known as the McKay Tower—this work chronicles a historic era in the city’s development.”

CHECK OUT THE APRIL ISSUE OF GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE—

GRAND RAPIDS DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS — So fun that the April issue of Grand Rapids Magazine used a few of my building photos and briefly mentioned the book GRAND RAPIDS DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS in this article by Andrea Rowland.
Check it out: https://www.grmag.com/features-3/grand-rapids-architecture-through-the-eras/.

PENTWATER PROJECT —Also check out this article about the Pentwater project in the recent Great Lakes Energy Magazine Michigan Country Lines!The Pentwater Historical Society developed a collaborative grant project with the owners of main street retail venues. 25 stories of Pentwater buildings and historic sites were written by Pam VanderPloeg, published on panels designed by illustrator Libby VanderPloeg, and were displayed in retail and community venues on Hancock Street in the village of Pentwater, Michigan. A history map also designed by Libby VanderPloeg was sold at the Pentwater History Museum. Link here to Pentwater Stories.

THIRD THURSDAYS DOWNTOWN—Had a great time March 21 at Periwinkle Fog in the historic Ledyard Building, part of Third Thursdays at Downtown Grand Rapids Event! (Shelley Irwin Show WGVU)

Thank you Susan Combes and all of the great people at Periwinkle Fog! We filled Periwinkle Fog and the Downtown GR space next door. So happy to share my book and stories of Grand Rapids Downtown Buildings and the “stage” with noted photographer Dave Thompson who talked about the process of filming and producing his 2021 ArtPrize entry, a 12’x 60’ photo collage of the Grand Rapids’ skyline that spanned the front of VanAndel Arena. Thursdays is a monthly event showcasing over 28 locally-owned businesses including art galleries, retailers, boutiques, restaurants and cultural institutions that stay open late that evening in the Center City, Heartside, Jefferson Square, Hotel District, Studio Park and North Monroe. The hosting venue, Periwinkle Fog, has a curated collection of art, accessories, and home décor located in the historic Ledyard Building and is a Certified Diverse Business Enterprise – Woman Owned Business — https://periwinklefog.com/