Gangsters in West Michigan Presentation

  The Holland Area Historical Society will host a program titled “A Killing in Capone’s Playground: Gangsters in West Michigan” on Tuesday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m. The presentation will be held in the Maas Auditorium, Maas Conference Center, Hope College, Holland, Michigan. Maas Auditorium is located at 264 Columbia Avenue on the Hope College campus. The public is …

History of William Ferry Family Program

The history of the William Ferry family of Ottawa County will be hosted by the Holland Area Historical Society on Tuesday, October 13, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., at the Maas Center Auditorium, at Hope College, at 264 Columbia Avenue, Holland. William Montague Ferry and his sons dominated the early history of Ottawa County and played important roles in business, …

The Not-So-Promised Land: The Dutch in Amelia County, Virginia, 1868-1880

Tuesday, September 8, 2015 – 7:30 p.m. Maas Center Auditorium, Hope College 264 Columbia Avenue, Holland After establishing a successful Dutch colony in Holland, Michigan in 1847, Albertus C. Van Raalte turned his attention to the warmer climes of Amelia County, Virginia, where he attempted to establish a second colony. Join Janet Sheeres as she …

New Online Tutorial for Researchers Launched

The first of a planned five tutorials about the Joint Archives of Holland at Hope College has been launched on our website under About the Archives link. The first tutorial is a simple introduction to the Archives, its mission, collections, our location and hours of we are open to the public. We look forward to …

Howard Avenue Before the Flagstar Bank

If you pass over the Unity Bridge from Holland’s south side to the north side you will see that a new Flagstar Bank is being built on the east side of River Avenue. This site was once a triangle formed by Howard Avenue, River Avenue, and Douglas Avenue. At the turn of the 20th century …

Local Man Served as Guard for the Body of President Abraham Lincoln

Johannes “John” Douma (1847-1939) from Holland, Michigan was a veteran of the U.S. Civil War serving with the 24th Michigan Infantry. He also served as a guard for President Abraham Lincoln’s body, along with Graafschap native Mattheus Notier, before it was interred at Springfield, Illinois in May1865. After returning to Holland he farmed a plot …

Holland Area Historical Society Will Present “Elzinga & Volkers: A Unique Experience”

The Holland Area Historical Society will present “Elzinga & Volkers: A Unique Experience” on Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., at the Maas Auditorium, Hope College, 264 Columbia Avenue, Holland. This event is free to the public. Elzinga & Volkers is a locally owned and operated Michigan corporation with headquarters in Holland, Michigan. Since …