Roses are red, violets are blue, join us on the search for “love” in the GRPM’s Collections to uncover stories that will surprise you! In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, discover unique artifacts that are related to the concept of love, pertaining to love for a partner, a friend or family member.
Civil War Letter: August 17, 1865
Sergeant Slayton wrote to his wife in Grant, Michigan:
“ I remain yours as ever, Chester M. Slayton”
Slayton served in the 25th Michigan from August 1862 at age 25, until muster out at Salisbury N.C. June 24, 1865. Further in this letter, Slayton speaks of a surrender, President Lincoln’s assassination and the anticipated surrender of Johnston’s army.
Wedding Photo: June 25, 1944
Rev. Lyman Parks was the first, and as of 2022, only African-American to be elected Mayor of Grand Rapids. Parks came to Grand Rapids in 1965 as pastor of the African Methodist Episcopal Church at 500 James Ave. He became involved in community affairs and in 1968, one year after the race riots in Grand Rapids, Parks was elected as the first black city commissioner.
In 1971 he was elected mayor and held the post until 1975. He then retired from the Grand Rapids church in 1986 and moved to African Methodist Church in the Chicago area until 2000. Afterwards, he and his wife returned to Grand Rapids to be close to his children and grandchildren.
Henna Stencils, circa 2000
Many countries including India, Pakistan, Iran, Morocco and Sudan practice the process of henna body decoration. In India, this is called “Mehndi” and is traditionally associated with wedding ceremonies. The hands and feet of Indian brides are usually decorated by the women of her family, and sometimes the entire wedding party will participate.
Promotional Photograph of Estela and Julio, circa 1936
This promotional photo was for dancers Estela and Julio who performed with Mexican musician and actor Tito Guízar and the American Pan Ensemble. The married couple, Julio and Estela formed a dance team and toured all over America with Tito Guízar who had a remarkable career in the early years of Hollywood.
Wedding Tray, circa 1910-1925
This Hopi wedding tray served as an important social and ceremonial object. Very often the trays were a gift, given as repayment for a bride’s wedding robe that had been woven by the men of the groom’s family. Gift exchange was, and continues to be, an integral part of Hopi culture.
Tapa Cloth, circa 1900
For centuries, women of the Oceanic regions have labored by hand to create a unique material called “tapa cloth” from the inner bark of the paper mulberry tree. The bark is beaten into a flat fiber using a tapa beater, then pasted together to create large sheets of paper-like cloth.
The makers express their creativity by painting the tapa by hand with bold and imaginative designs. Tapa cloth is usually gifted for births and weddings and is worn as clothing or used for bedding.
Photography of 1996 Grand Rapids Pride Celebration
This photograph was taken at the ninth annual Pride Celebration, called the West Michigan Lesbian and Gay Life Celebration, that took place at Ah-Nab-Awen Park.
Ohanesian Family Story, 1900-2011
This collection documents the life of an Armenian family working in the popcorn/concession business in Grand Rapids for four generations. The husband, Joe Ohanesian, came to Grand Rapids in 1909-1910. He began work as a bricklayer in the U.S. but returned to Armenia in 1912 to marry. Although, the woman he intended to marry would only agree to marry him if he stayed in Armenia. Since he desired to return to Grand Rapids, he asked Arexi, the daughter of a landowner and silversmith, to be his wife. The couple traveled to the U.S. in February of 1914.
By: GRPM’s Collections Curator, Andrea Melvin