It was a night to remember with an awesome buffet, Christmas music by Hawks & Owls, great company and new this year-a raffle.
The one-room schoolhouse was decked out for Christmas and with new maps donated by Pinky McPherson from the one-room schoolhouse on Parnell Rd.
The night ended with a huge bonfire at the Fallas Field.
Copyright (c) 2019. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Old-fashioned Christmas in Fallasburg
Fallasburg, MI – Come to the best Christmas party in the area complete with music, a Christmas buffet, libations and a bonfire. Bring a friend to enjoy the old-fashioned atmosphere.
Just cross the Covered Bridge into the 1850s Fallasburg pioneer village. You will step back in time enchanted by the magic of the holiday season. The one-room schoolhouse will be decked out for Christmas for you to enjoy.
The public is invited to the “Christmas in Fallasburg” party on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the one-room schoolhouse. The party will be topped off by a roaring bonfire at the Fallass Field across from the schoolhouse. You can’t miss it. You will be able to hear it crackling into the crisp night, as it melts the snow around it.
Holiday music provided by Hawks & Owls, libations, refreshments and the famous Fallasburg Christmas Buffet. A $20 donation is requested from adults.
“The schoolhouse in Fallasburg has always been a place that joins everyone together. She was built, so we would come; to learn to share and to celebrate,” said Ken Tamke, president of the Fallasburg Historical Society.
“Our schoolhouse, dressed for the holidays, once again stands ready to welcome you. Please join us for our community celebration.”
Subscribe to the Fallasburg Historical Society e-newsletter “Fallasburg Today” to stay in the loop with our happenings.
Copyright (c0 2019. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Old-fashioned Christmas in Fallasburg
Everyone is invited to “Christmas in Fallasburg” on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the one-room schoolhouse. The party is topped off by a roaring bonfire at the Fallass Field.
Holiday music by Hawks & Owls, libations, refreshments and the famous Fallasburg Christmas Buffet. A $20 donation is requested from adults.
The schoolhouse in Fallasburg has always been a place that joins everyone together. She was built, so we would come; to learn to share and to celebrate.
Our schoolhouse, dressed for the holidays, once again stands ready to welcome you. Please join us for our community celebration.
President’s message
2019-wow, has the year flown by. Hard not to look ahead to 2020 and all it has in store, but before I do…
Our volunteers and benevolent contractors have done an amazing job replacing the Schoolhouse Porch and maintaining buildings and grounds yet the work of the preservationist is never done. Thanks to all of you for keeping Fallasburg Village neat and tidy. We couldn’t do it without you!
The picture of the school was taken by Dr. Ruth Herrick in 1964 a short time after the school closed. Dr. Herrick was one of the founders of the West Central Michigan Historical Society in 1965 which is now FHS. The picture of the school and some others were donated recently to FHS by Marie Vierson, VP. of the Ada Historical Society.
2020 will bring with it a new “to-do” list. The Schoolhouse needs painting. The David Misner House, the old village parsonage which serves as a museum and FHS office probably needs a new roof, and the Tower Farmhouse, while mostly weathertight, needs major interior and foundation work.
In spite of these daunting tasks there is much to celebrate in 2020.
FHS’ digital cataloging of historical pictures, documents, and artifacts, a continuing work in progress, went live on the Internet. Visit our collection at https://collection.fallasburg.org/ There is lots more to come in 2020.
2020 will mark the 25TH Anniversary of the original Fallasburg Schoolhouse Restoration undertaken by the Vergennes Township Historic Commission with HUD Community Development Block Grant funds. In 1995, the Schoolhouse was in the home stretch towards completion.
Of the same vintage as our 1860’s Schoolhouse, the Fallassburgh Flats Base Ball Club play the game the way it used to be played back then, right at home in Fallas Field. They are always looking for new players to join their family (sorry, no Spring Training in Florida). Follow the Flats on Facebook or www.fallassburghflats@gmail.com
As the season of giving is upon us, please join those who feel it’s important to preserve, educate, and share this valuable resource for which we are stewards-Historic Fallasburg Village. Become a member. Become a volunteer. Please visit our websites www.fallasburg.org www.fallasburgtoday.org
Below are new additions to our portfolio of artifacts: maps donated by Pinky McPherson are now hanging at the schoolhouse and a photograph of the Miller family plane.
Happy Holidays & Seasons Greetings!
Ken Tamke, President
Find your treasure this weekend among the 30 vendors at the Fallasburg village bazaar this weekend on Sept. 14 & Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Directions from Lincoln Lake Rd coming from Lowell
Take a right onto Fallasburg Park Rd, once you come to the Kent County Fallasburg Park sign hang a right onto the Covered Bridge Rd. Cross the Covered Bridge into the village to shop more artists.
Directions from McPherson Bridge fork
Take a right on McPherson, cross the concrete McPherson Bridge and turn right onto Covered Bridge Rd. into the Fallasburg village.
Emma’s Book Signing at the one-room schoolhouse from noon to 5 p.m. on both days.
You will be charmed by the historic ambience of the village and the historic buildings: the schoolhouse, the Tower Farm, the Misner House and the Fallass House.
Vendors
Two Hot Tamales- Food truck, Authentic Mexican Food
31 Consultant, Bags-Totes
Fair Houses- Ecological Access
Ophelia’s Candles, homemade soy candles
Nancy, Leather goods
Creations Limitations Plus, Fractal burned wood products
Expressive Reflections, handcrafted, handstamped jewelry creatively designed
Bob Wojczynski paintings/drawings
Lady K Chimes, unique glass windchimes
The Milk Bucket, Goat milk Soap & other products
Suburban Soaptherapy, handmade artisan soaps
Scentsy, warmers wax and diffusers
Fret Knot Jewelry, guitar string jewelry
Bloom Specialties, LLC, pressure and soft washing
Alice, TreDye Michigan Tees
2 Lane Road, signs carved in wood, wood & clay jewelry
Redpop Originals, handmade meaded wrap bracelets
Sue, Wire-wrapped Great Lakes fossil jewelry
Jewelry Junkie- sterling spinner rings
Paparazzi Jewelry, leadfree, nickelfree jewelry $1-$5 each
Rainbow Ice, shaved ice
Sandy’s Fudge
Pups & Peeps, dog scarves, blankets, tote bags
Half Baked, baked goods-pastries
Outdoor Adventures Campgrounds, Yeti raffle
Frozen Creek Farms, salsa, jams, soups & herbal dips
Rock Art, handcrafted oild candles
Shabby Chicnanigans, unique painted signs, upcycled furniture, lemonade stand
White’s Bridge Group
Also check your inboxes for the Fallasburg Today E-newsletter.
Copyright (c) 2019 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Schoolhouse new wooden deck completed during summer
A picture is worth a thousand words and YOU made this happen. Look what we did on your summer vacation!
President’s message
Your memberships, donations, volunteerism, bequests, and attendance at events like the 25TH Annual Covered Bridge Bike Tour, July 7TH, which was a smashing success, the upcoming Fallasburg Bazaar on Fallasburg Fall Festival of the Arts Weekend, September 14 & 15, and our Christmas Party, December 14th, make this possible. Thank you for doing your part in preserving Fallasburg Village!
Our historic Schoolhouse concrete patio, like many things do when they get old, began to sag and settle. Water was collecting and draining towards the building instead of away from it threatening foundation timbers and support infrastructure.
We needed to move forward with the project for fear if we waited, irreparable damage could be done. Several bids were secured, but in the end after careful examination, we realized, with volunteer help and expertise, a couple of craftsman contractors to set stone and build the new wooden deck with entry stairs, we could get this done and be open in time for the Fallasburg Bazaar on Fall Festival of the Arts weekend, September 14 & 15.
Maintaining a historic village does demand the skills of a General Contractor. Alan Rumbaugh, FHS Treasurer, has performed magnificently on our behalf. With his contacts, and building renovation know-how, he’s guided the work with a steady hand. David Cadwallader and his crew, including wife Tina, FHS Vice President, spearheaded the removal phase of the old concrete patio, deftly piloting the Bobcat and loading the dumpster. Jack Miedema, our stone mason, reconfigured and reset the stone wall to accommodate the carpentry. Ken Rasmus engineered a beautiful new pressure treated wooden deck and entry stairs while also adding some drainage and foundation water protection features underneath. Villager, Ron Dawson, undertook the re-welding and retro-fitting of the existing iron railing onto the new patio expertly. Jack of all trades, Frank Brechbiel has done a little bit of everything along the way on this much like he does in the village year-round. Adding an exclamation point to the whole project; we were able to keep our concrete ADA compliant Wheelchair Ramp undisturbed, and integrate the former central concrete entry steps at the end of the patio. Come take a look. You’ll be proud of the work you’ve done.
The Fallasburg Historical Society Bazaar I keep mentioning is Saturday & Sunday, September 14 & 15, 10:00AM – 5:00PM. Our bazaar features an old- fashioned collection of artisans and their crafts under tent just across the Flat River and Fallasburg Covered Bridge from the Fallasburg Fall Festival of the Arts. We have over 20 vendors signed up this year. This grassroots event just keeps growing and growing.
Local author Emma Palova will have a book signing of her new book “Secrets” at the one-room schoolhouse on Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday Sept. 15 from 1 p.m. to five p.m.
Stop by for an autograph in the historical ambience of the schoolhouse.
Christmas is coming… “Christmas in Fallasburg”, A Community Celebration! Saturday, December 14, 6:00PM-8:00PM, music and merriment at the Fallasburg Schoolhouse, a phenomenal fire in Fallas Field follows! You’re invited!
For more information on the Fallasburg Historical Society, membership, donations, etc., the Fallasburg Bazaar, and “Christmas in Fallasburg,” go to: www.fallasburg.org
Enjoy the Fall,
Ken Tamke, President
Fallasburg Historical Society
Copyright (c) 2019. Emma Blogs, All rights reserved.
The Covered Bridge Bike Tour, a success in Fallasburg pioneer village & Coldwater Rest Stop
By Emma Palova
Fallasburg- A total of 120 riders participated in the 25th annual Covered Bridge Bike Tour on Sunday, July 7 under the clear blue skies as the humid air chilled down at the one-room schoolhouse registration.
“Thanks to everyone! The 25TH Bike Tour was truly a great day. We couldn’t have done it without you,” said Ken Tamke, president of the Fallasburg Historical Society (FHS).
Among the favorite routes through the Kent County countryside was the 28-mile route from Fallasburg to Lowell past the Grand River, and along the Grand River Drive to Ada Covered Bridge.
Most of the participants found out about the bike tour from the Michigan League of Bicyclists.
Members of the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club Paul Guthrie picked the 100-mile route, while Gordy Vader rode the 62-mile route. They loved the homemade food at the Misner House Museum.
“The food is great,” Guthrie said. “We would appreciate re-assurance arrows and GPS map. It’s a great ride.
For Nancy Short who rode the 78-mile route, it was the first time on the CBBT.
“I ditched my friends behind,” she laughed. “I’ve never done a ride that has a homemade spaghetti dinner with tablecloths on the picnic tables.”
Coldwater Rest Stop
Fallasburg Village Bazaar
The Fallasburg Historical Society (FHS) next event will take place on Sept. 14 and Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find your next treasure at the Fallasburg Village Bazaar.
Copyright (c) 2019. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
The Fallasburg Historical Society is pleased to announce and showcase a sparkling new website where you can explore online our collection of images and artifacts.
FHS President’s message
Our collaboration with Calvin College’s History Department began the project three years ago. Under the mentorship of Lowell Area Historical Museum’s Executive Director, Lisa Plank, Calvin student interns have been digitally cataloging our archived material; pictures, documents, and assorted pieces of memorabilia that tell the story of people and places in Historic Fallasburg Village and Vergennes Township.
Please visit: https://collection.fallasburg.org and see for yourself.
This “spring cleaning” process has led to the rediscovery of many forgotten treasures tucked away in files. We’re still a work in progress, but will continue over the coming months to add to, and refine the site.
Now begins the arduous task of properly storing and preserving our collection. What a nice convenience for students, scholars, and history buffs to be able to view it online, quite another thing to hold in your hand the actual essays and poetry John Wesley Fallas and his wife, Phebe Brown Fallas penned 170 years ago. Now both are possible!
The Fallasburg Historical Society will hold its Annual General Meeting, Monday June 17TH.
The meeting will be held at the Lowell Chamber of Commerce and will start at 7:00PM.
The purpose of our Annual General Meeting is a forum for our members, friends, and volunteers to lend their voice to our organization. We’re always looking for new ideas and fresh faces. Please consider getting involved. FHS needs you!
The 25TH Annual Covered Bridge Bike Tour.
Sunday, July 7TH, 2019.
Our ride at your own pace, select your distance (12 – 100-miles) bike tour, takes you through some of West Michigan’s most beautiful countryside along marked and mapped routes with SAG (support and guidance) if you need it. Enjoy wonderful refreshments along the way, and a great homemade country Italian meal with all the trimmings at the end of your trip. Starting from our one room schoolhouse, you exit historic Fallasburg Village over the Fallasburg Covered Bridge, one of two you’ll encounter on your 28- or 50-mile cycling adventure. You may also select to tour around the Flat River Watershed, a 12- mile journey that circles the Village. For the hale and hearty 100-milers, we’ll send you South in the morning and North in the afternoon with Fallasburg as a mid-way point allowing you to eat in the middle of your ride or at the end. All roads begin and end in Historic Fallasburg Village!
Visit www.fallasburg.org to pre-register and save some $$$. Walk up registration opens at 7:00AM on the day of the ride. Fallasburg Village, 13944 Covered Bridge Road, Lowell.
Schoolhouse Open Sundays
Don’t forget, our “Schoolhouse Open Sundays” season begins in June – September. We’ll be open as many Sunday afternoons as we can from 2 – 4PM. Village walking tours and open houses are available year-round by appointment.
Come to Historic Fallasburg Village and take a step back in time!
Copyright (c) 2019 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Fallasburg bridges the past with the new
By Emma Palova
Mark your calendars for the upcoming events of the Fallasburg Historical Society. (FHS)
FHS will be at the Lowell Expo on March 23 at the Lowell High School from 9 am to 3 pm inside the cafeteria right next to the Lowell Area Historical Museum booth.
Hop on the Spring into the Past tour on May 4th & 5th. Visit the Fallasburg one-room schoolhouse along with 30 other museums.
You don’t want to miss our 25th annual Covered Bridge Bike Tour on July 7th. Follow us for event updates.
Become a part of the movement to preserve history as we integrate technology into our work.
Soon, you will be able to access our collections such as the WWI Women’s Cards via a brand new platform.
Sign up for Fallasburg Today E-newsletter to stay in the loop.
Poster artwork by FHS vice-president Tina Siciliano Cadwallader.
Fallasburg Today E- Newsletter sign-up
Copyright (c) 2019 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Thanks to everyone who attended the Fallasburg Historical Society (FHS) Christmas Party. It was the most well attended and festive gathering in our Christmas party throwing history; the bonfire was magnificent.
To all who have renewed memberships, made donations, or volunteered their time to FHS and our cause for preservation of Fallasburg Village in 2018, thank you. We simply can’t do it without your support! Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Ken Tamke
FHS president
Copyright (c) 2018. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
An old-fashioned Christmas party in Fallasburg rings in the season
By Emma Palova
It was a night to remember: good food, great friends and live music by band Hawks & Owls. After months of preparations for the annual signature event and fundraiser of the Fallasburg Historical Society (FHS), the party was a smash hit.
Copyright (c) 2018. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
