Category: historic preservation

FHS president’s summer message

On By emmapalovaIn Covered Bridges, events, Fallasburg Bike Tour, Fallasburg Historic Village, Fallasburg Historical Society, historic preservation, history, Pure Michigan, travel Michigan, Uncategorized1 Comment

Summer at Falasburg pioneer village

Dear friends and visitors,

Summer is almost here as spring winds down.  It’s been a busy and productive time in the pioneer village for the Fallasburg Historical Society. (FHS)  March and April showers have in fact brought May flowers, but the rains also delayed our much-needed roof replacement on the Fallas House.

fallas ken headshot
FHS president Ken Tamke

Through the benevolence of the late Harold Englehardt of Lowell and his bequest, the Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Lowell Area Community Fund, awarded monies to FHS to get the job done in what we hoped would be mid-March.  Mother Nature strikes again, yet Villagers and volunteers came to the rescue.  Craig Wood’s young crew scaled the slippery slope and patched new critter invasion routes which just seemed to appear as soon as we got the last ones secured.  Not to worry.  The weather did improve and Risner’s Roofing & Home Improvement of Lowell installed a beautiful new roof.  Thank you, Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Lowell Area Community Fund, Risner’s, and timely help from Village volunteers.  We couldn’t have done it without you!

Fallas house roof
New roof on John W. Fallas House

Speaking of timely help, Fallasburg Historical Society’s Calvin College History Department Intern, Brianne Lynn, under the direction and mentorship of Lowell Area Historical Museum’s Executive Director, Lisa Plank, has completed her term assignment.  Brianne has brought FHS ever closer to having all their accession pieces (the stuff that people donate, and the treasures we acquire) digitally cataloged in a wonderful software program and website developed by the Lowell Museum’s software guru, Jeff Ostrander.  The site, “The Past Online,” allows anyone with a computer, tablet, or smart phone to access documents, pictures, and artifacts that comprise our collections, for research, or just out of historical curiosity.  Have a look: www.thepastonline.org

And, while you’re surfing check out www.fallasburg.org  Last December, FHS engaged Addorio Technologies, LLC, of Lowell, to redesign and launch a new website.  The first steps were to create basic “Home” and “Contact” pages for the Society which went live in January.  The subsequent work, the fun part, has been in development and has just gone up on our site. This work comes courtesy of the Lowell Cable Television Endowment Fund which awarded FHS a grant for the implementation of additional Internet pages.  These pages will highlight and provide a means for registration and payment for “Events” like the upcoming 23RD Annual Covered Bridge Bike Tour on Sunday, July 9, and the Fallasburg Farmhouse Soiree on Saturday, August 5.

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On another Internet page, you’ll find links to other organizations like “The Past Online,” Lowell Area Historical Museum, and the Fallassburgh Flats, our Vintage Base Ball Team.  Of course, there’ll be a “Photo Gallery” page with four seasons of village pictures and historical tidbits.  But, the page I’m most excited about is “History’s Mysteries.”  Every museum has them, pictures you can’t identify of people and places, artifacts that baffle-what is that?  Well, Fallasburg has their share, and you’ll be able to play history detective.  We’ll put them up on the site, and who knows what might happen.  Thank you to Addorio, and the Lowell Cable Television Fund.  Technology is daunting to us old-schoolers, but you’ve helped us broaden our horizons and share our resources as only technology can do!

Murray Lake Elementary students at Fallasburg
Murray Lake Elementary school students at Fallasburg

Lowell Community Expo at Lowell High School in late March brought together Fallasburg Historical Society legends Ed Roth, Dottie Blain, and Addie Tower Abel, along with current FHS Treasurer, Alan Rumbaugh, Board Members Melanie Brim and Tracy Worthington, all as goodwill ambassadors from the Village.  The group was out to make new friends and so they did.  A local Boy Scout, John Lothian, in pursuit of his Eagle Scout Badge wants to follow up on our new roof and paint the Fallas House for his community service project.  Recently retired from Grand Valley State University, Communications Specialist, Mark Kuzee, stopped by. He has relocated to the Lowell Area with his wife Sue, has a penchant for woodworking, and finds exciting the challenges of maintaining historic properties just like our man of many hats, Alan Rumbaugh.  We’ve already pressed Mark into service making custom siding patches for critter holes in the wildlife refuge we call Fallasburg Village.

Misner bikers
Register online for the 23rd Covered Bridge Bike Tour on http://www.fallasburg.org

Spring cleaning in Fallasburg was undertaken in several Saturday morning sessions.  Tina Cadwallader polished up the Schoolhouse and got it ready for Murray Lake Elementary School’s 1ST Grade Class visit.  Alan Rumbaugh, Lisa Sostecke, Mark Kuzee, Frank and Patty Brechbiel and even Fallasburg Intern, Brianne Lynn spiffed up the Misner House filling a dumpster.  And, yours truly recycled what amounted to the evolution of the personal computer: old monitors, keyboards, CPU’s, printers, and yes, mice, too.

Fallas museum tour
FHS volunteers Tracy Wprthington and Tina Sicialiano Cadwallader inside the Misner House during the Spring into the Past tour.

“Spring into the Past,” a creation of the Tri-Rivers Museum Network on the first weekend in May is a collaboration of what has grown to 41 local museums that share the geography of three rivers. The Flat, the Thornapple, and the Grand Rivers roughly define a boundary.  All FHS museums were open for the weekend as were other network museums, free of charge, with regional tours encouraged.  Fine weather and sunshine insured a steady stream of visitors and the Fallassburgh Flats, FHS’s Vintage Base Ball Team initiated their 2017 season with an intra-squad scrimmage on Fallas Field.  For more information on the Flats and their season schedule: www.fallassburghflats.com

On Monday, June 19, 2017 at the Lowell Chamber of Commerce, 7:00 p.m., FHS will hold our Annual General Meeting.  This is an opportunity for our members to have a voice and our friends to offer an opinion.  Most importantly, it’s a chance to get for all of you to get involved!  We can’t do it without you!  We hope you’ll come out and join us!

Sincerely,

Ken

TO DO LIST:

 

  • VISIT fallasburg.org
  • FOLLOW FHS BLOG FALLASBURGTODAY on http://fallasburgtoday.org
  • LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! Twitter, Pinterest, Google +
  • 23RD ANNUAL COVERED BRIDGE BIKE TOUR, SUNDAY, JULY 9.
  • Emma Palova book signing  of “Shifting Sands Short Stories “on July 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Fallasburg Schoolhouse..info at http://emmapalova.com

Copyright (c) 2017 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Fallasburg one-room school.

Spring into the Past museum tour

On By emmapalovaIn events, Fallasburg Historic Village, Fallasburg Historical Society, historic preservation, history, Michigan historic sites, travel Michigan, Uncategorized3 Comments

 “Spring Into the Past” and bring the family to tour the small museums of the Tri-River Historical Museum Network in Barry, Eaton, Ionia, Kent and Montcalm counties on May 6 & 7.

“Youngsters will be amazed at how folks got along without all of today’s technology and older folks will enjoy reminiscing the good old days,” said publicity director Judy Gager.

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New signs in Fallasburg

 “Fashions through the Ages” is this year’s theme as more than thirty member museums or historical societies roll out their red carpet to show off the unique history of their communities. 

Fallasburg pioneer village located three miles northeast of Lowell is one of the 30 participating museums this year. The quaint village is waiting to be discovered. The one-room schoolhouse will open for the season on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m.

Inside @fallasburg
Ghost hunters inside the Fallasburg schoolhouse museum last October.

 During this annual event museums are open the first Saturday/Sunday in May from 11 am to 5 pm for your convenience.  Visit our website for descriptive information and a handy map to plot your tour beforehand or get a booklet at any of the museums. 

For more information on the Fallasburg Historical Society (FHS) as it readies for the new season at the village and the annual Covered Bridge bike tour on Sunday, July 9 go to:

http://www.fallasburg.org

Visit TriRiver on Facebook, too. http://www.addorio.com/TriRiver/TriRiverMuseumNetworkspringintopast.pd

Copyright (c) 2017 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Message from FHS president Ken Tamke

On By emmapalovaIn Fallasburg Historic Village, Fallasburg Historical Society, historic preservation, history, Michigan historic sites, Pure Michigan, travel Michigan, Uncategorized2 Comments

News from the pioneer village of Fallasburg

Dear friends and visitors,

fallas ken headshot
FHS president Ken Tamke

Fallasburg, MI -The Fallasburg Historical Society (FHS) is pleased to announce that it has received a grant from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation to replace the badly worn Fallas House roof. The award came just in the nick of time, as critters had struck again, opening a large hole in the roof.  The oldest home still standing in Vergennes Township will be weather-tight and critter-free very soon thanks to the grant.

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The Fallas House

 Calvin College intern to catalogue Fallasburg artifacts for “The Past Online”

For the second year in the running, the Calvin College history department arranged for student Brianne Lynn to assist the FHS in the digital cataloging of Fallasburg artifacts, documents, and pictures.

This information will be used in “The Past Online” website developed by the Lowell Area Historical Museum (LAHM). Ms. Lynn has resumed the task of entering data in collaboration with LAHM executive director Lisa Plank, who will act as mentor. Visitors to the website can access historical information about the Fallasburg village and Lowell, as well as other communities, as the project evolves.

FHS launches new website

In January, the FHS launched the much-anticipated new website, www.fallasburg.org  It is the same web address we’ve always maintained, but the site now features a brand-new look thanks to Betsy Davidson, owner of Addorio Technologies of Lowell.

Murray Lake Elementary students at the Fallasburg school.
In front of the Fallasburg schoolhouse museum.

You will first notice new pictures when you visit our home and contact pages.

However, it is still a work in progress. Much more than just an electronic billboard, we want our site to be a repository of information that tells our story so visitors can learn about what FHS does, about our events and news, and the village history, through pictures and narratives.

We will accomplish this with additional pages and links to “The Past Online,” and other sites.  We are looking for village pictures to populate the site, so if you could send them along.  At the end of this process, Betsy is going to show us how to use all of this technology. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!

Visit FHS @ Lowell Community Expo on March 25

In the meantime, FHS is looking forward to participating in the Lowell Chamber of Commerce’s, “Lowell Community Expo” on Saturday, March 25.  Stop by Lowell High School and say hello to our volunteers!

Spring into the Past on May 6 and May 7

On Saturday and Sunday, May 6 and 7, Fallasburg Village and our museums, the Misner House, the Schoolhouse and the Fallas House will be open for tours as part of the Tri-Rivers Museum Network’s “Spring into the Past.”  The Tri-Rivers group has grown from a handful of member museums to 41, all in proximity to the Flat, Grand, and Thornapple Rivers.  We’re all going to be open, 10 – 5.  Make it a “History Weekend” to remember.

Fallasburg one-room schoolhouse opens for the season, Fallassburgh Flats vintage baseball season begins in May

Fallasburg Covered Bridge Bike Tour takes to the road on July 10.
Fallasburg schoolhouse museum.

May also signals the beginning of our FHS “Season in the Village.”   The Fallassburgh Flats will start to  play with Vintage Base Ball on Fallas Field.  For information go to: fallassburghflats@gmail.com

The Schoolhouse opens its doors most Sunday afternoons, 2 – 4 in June.

 23rd Annual Covered Bridge Bike Tour set for July 9

February also began the odyssey of planning and preparations for the 23RD Annual Covered Bridge Bike Tour on Sunday, July 9.  Mark your calendars!  Come and ride with us!

Don’t forget to visit the new and improved www.fallasburg.org   And, please like us on Facebook!

Submit your stories and photos for the new feature on the Fallasburg Today blog, “The FHS Time Machine” on http://fallasburgtoday.org

Hope to see you around Fallasburg village this season,

Ken

Featured photo of the Tower House by Bruce Doll.

Copyright (c) 2017 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

FHS new website

On By emmapalovaIn Covered Bridges, events, Fallasburg Historic Village, Fallasburg Historical Society, historic preservation, history, Michigan historic sites, Pure Michigan, travel Michigan, Uncategorized1 Comment

The FHS new website at http://www.fallasburg.org is live now. Check it out. We are looking for your feedback. Contact us via the website or Fallasburg Today blog.

The website is user friendly, and responsive for use on your cell phones and tablets.

Fallasburg schoolhouse museum.

Submit your news for the winter Fallasburg Today E-newsletter.

Follow the FHS on twitter @fallasburg and on Facebook.

http://www.fallasburg.org/

We hope to see you at the pioneer historical village this year, as well as online with our new projects.

Copyright  (c)2017 Emma Blogs LLC. All rights reserved.

Tours at the Fallasburg school.

2016 Fallasburg village in retrospect

On By emmapalovaIn Fallasburg Historic Village, Fallasburg Historical Society, historic preservation, history, Michigan historic sites, Pure Michigan, travel Michigan, Uncategorized1 Comment

1880s Fallasburg pioneer village emerges as a historical treasure in 2016

By Emma Palova

EW Emma’s Writings

Fallasburg, MI – No pun intended, but 2016 was a year for the “history books” for the Fallasburg Historical Society (FHS).

It was a transformative year from a sleepy village lost in time for more than a century to a rejuvenated historical treasure waiting to be discovered.

Furniture built from local sawmills @fallasburg
The haunted Tower Farm circa 1850.

Better known for the Fallasburg Covered Bridge, which connects the hustle from the Lincoln Lake traffic to this hamlet, the Fallasburg village in 2016 emerged on its own merit.

With the new FHS events, increased online presence in “Fallasburg Today” blog, E-Newsletter & social media, and the updated website, the village connected with the right audience. That is with the lovers of history scattered around the world.

 Starting in the spring of 2016, FHS volunteers scrubbed and cleaned to get its signature museum, the one-room 1867 schoolhouse with the belfry, ready for the season.

Annually, the FHS participates in the “Spring into the Past” museum tour organized by the Tri-River Museum Network on the first weekend in May.

Mark your calendars, this year the “Spring into the Past” tour falls on May 6, 7, 2017.

The event opens up the Fallasburg village located inside the Fallasburg Park for the tourist season. The museum is open from 2p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays from May to October, or by appointment.

Fallasburg Covered Bridge bike tour 2016
Lunch stop at the Misner House museum.
FHS volunteer Patty Brechbiel at the catering station.

Much like the park, the village reflects the colors of the season throughout the year. It’s yours to explore at any time of the year with walking, hiking and biking trails running through village.

The Falassburgh Flats Vintage Base Ball team starts its season on the ball field located at the village with the first game in May.

The biggest fundraiser of the year, is the annual Fallasburg Covered Bridge bike tour. The 23rd annual bike tour will be held on July 9th with several bike tour options. For complete info visit http://fallasburgtoday.org or www.fallasburg.org.

The tour gives you a unique opportunity to explore the pioneer village and the northern east region of Kent County in Michigan.

The fall in Fallasburg brings robust colors with epic events. These include the annual Fallasburg village bazaar inside the pioneer village. This novelty event in its third year coincides with the Fallasburg Fall Festival for the Arts.

Both events will be held on Sept. 16 & Sept. 17, 2017.

Ghost hunters inside the Fallasburg schoolhouse museum.
Avid wheelman Jim Steenwyk explains how to avoid torque on the knees when biking.
In front of the Fallasburg schoolhouse museum.
Fallasburg schoolhouse museum.
Fallasburg Covered Bridge Bike Tour takes to the road on July 10.

The FHS was included in the “Past online” pilot by the Lowell Area Historical Museum launched in the fall of 2016. Intern Katelyn Bosch from Calvin College assisted in the online project.

Bosch said that she likes the village as a historic entity because it has streets, unlike most museums which are single buildings.

The brand new Ghostbusters @ Fallasburg event was held last year on Oct. 29th. It featured village haunting and the haunted walk.

“We attracted visitors that would not have otherwise come to the village,” said Ken Tamke, FHS president.

But the crowning jewel of 2016 was the annual “Christmas at Fallasburg” party held on Dec, 10 inside the one-room schoolhouse with the signature bonfire. The party attracted a record number of visitors, according to Tamke.

From newcomers, drawn in by the social media, from as far as Ukraine to the oldest Fallasburg resident of Swiss origin, Edwin Roth, 94, the party was a smorgasbord for the history lover.

Lie Kotecki of Michigan Paranormal Society (MPA) conducts an EVP session inside the John W. Fallass House.

“I’ve never been to a Christmas party inside a museum,” said Irina from Ukraine, a student at the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) graduate program in Grand Rapids.

Currently, the FHS is in the process of updating its website. Stay tuned for more progress at this emerging Fallasbirg gem in the rough.

This post is also in response to the Daily Post “Retrospective” at

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/discover-challenges/retrospective

Subscribe to the Fallasburg Today E-Newsletter below:

For more info check the following links:

Fallasburg at www.fallasburg.org

Fallasburg Today blog at http://fallasburgtoday.org

Tri-River Museum Network at www.ioniahistory.org/tri-river-group.html

Fallassburgh Flats Vintage Base Ball Club at www.fallassburghflats.com

Past online at www.thepastonline.org

Copyright © 2016. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Heating up the night at Fallasburg

On By emmapalovaIn Christmas in Fallasburg, events, Fallasburg Historic Village, Fallasburg Historical Society, historic preservation, history, Michigan historic sites, Pure Michigan, travel Michigan, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Christmas party at Fallasburg scores high

FHS president Ken Tamke speaks about the annual Christmas party held last Saturday at Fallasburg:

In the grips of the polar vortex once again, the cold and the snow, we didn’t quite know what to expect for “Christmas in Fallasburg.”  Party planners take note of the scouting motto, “Be Prepared.”  Not only did we have one of our best turnouts ever, but the diverse mix of guests, young and old, Villagers and visitors, created a positive party vibe that swept the crowd right up inside it.  Bruce and Becca Ling’s Hawks & Owls String Band played inspired.  Patty and Melanie’s food was fabulous and so were all the potluck contributions, thanks.  Everything was gone at the end of the evening.  And, the bonfire…  Well, I’ve said all along, it was almost a shame to light it.  It was so artfully constructed by Villager, Craig Wood.  Enjoying those flames and that heat with those gathered was a most magnificent cap to the evening.  Thanks to all who attended and thanks for your support of the Fallasburg Historical Society and our efforts to preserve Fallasburg Village.  Happy Holidays!!!

By Emma Palova

Fallasburg, MI -Okay, the Christmas party last week at the one-room 1867 Fallasburg schoolhouse was a smash in spite of the fresh snow outside, freezing cold inside and that some folks have mistaken the bonfire for a real fire.

“After all these years, I think they pretty much have it under control,” said a spectator taking a selfie by the bonfire.

“Can you hear it crackling?”

Yes, the huge bonfire crackled, melted the snow around it, attracted snowmobile riders and heated up the night.

Some area residents claimed the snow-capped logs of wood and carved their names in them.

“It was our biggest party ever,” said Ken Tamke, Fallasburg Historical Society (FHS) president.

Inside the schoolhouse people mingled to the sounds of the strings by the Hawks and Owls band nestled in the far corner by the cold stove.

Not only were there newcomers from near such as Saranac, but there were newcomers from as far as Ukraine like Irina.

Irina, a grad student of history at Grand Valley State University, came to the party with friends.

“This is so authentic,” she said. “I had no idea you could go inside the museum buildings.”

Absolutely. Thanks to the recent efforts of the FHS team, most of the buildings of the Fallasburg historical village dating to 1837 are accessible to the public.

The flagship Fallasburg School serves as the official museum of the FHS, and is open from May to October.

The only exception to public access currently is the gray-bluish Tower Farm, built circa 1850. However, the FHS is working relentlessly to get all the museums up to date.

Recently, the FHS has applied for a grant for some roof repair and website upgrades.

The Christmas party tradition, as a fundraiser for the FHS maintenance of the buildings, has been going strong, according to old-timers.

Edwin Roth, 94, the oldest Fallasburg resident has been coming to the party for at least a decade.

“I am 100 percent Swiss,” he bragged. “My parents came from Switzerland.”

Roth farmed in the area in the 1940s and for many decades beyond. He makes it a point not to miss the annual Christmas party. Long time volunteer Frank Brechbiel escorted Roth into the schoolhouse.

The schoolhouse was beautifully decorated for the season with a dinner buffet and a grog station set up by the windows.

The good people of Fallasburg lovingly called as “villagers” brought in food and desserts.

FHS board member Tina Siciliano Cadwallader made her entrance with a wooden box labeled as “Dangerous Explosives” full of bags of popcorn and other goodies.

Volunteer Patty Brechbiel manned the food station featuring among other dishes three different types of meatballs.

“Are these all the same?” Irina asked.

“No, try them all,” I said.

The party provided an excellent opportunity to check out the “little room in the back” with collections treasures. A young history lover explored the model of the Fallasburg village locked in a glass case.

On display on the shelves were class photos. There was Mrs. Richmond’s class from 1947 and a Fallasburg village plat map on a wooden board.

As the bell rang in the belfry, the chatter and music in the schoolhouse continued into the night. A drive through the lighted Fallasburg Covered Bridge was a perfect ending to a perfect party.

Come visit Fallasburg, located northeast of Lowell, throughout the year. You will treat yourself to a lesson in American pioneer history from the 1830s that started with founder John Wesley Fallass.

You will marvel at the treasures the village has to offer.

Copyright (c) 2016 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

White Christmas in Fallasburg pioneer village

On By emmapalovaIn Christmas in Fallasburg, Covered Bridges, events, Fallasburg Historic Village, Fallasburg Historical Society, historic preservation, history, Michigan historic sites, Pure Michigan, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Visit Fallasburg tonight for a memorable white Christmas

By Emma Palova

EW Emma’s Writings

Fallasburg, MI – Experience a white Christmas of the past inside the old 1867 Fallasburg one-room schoolhouse located at the pioneer village three miles northeast of Lowell.

Cross the wooden covered bridge across the Flat River into the sleepy hamlet and enjoy camaraderie with old friends. Most of them you will probably know from the past.

Sample Dottie’s famous Christmas buffet and Ken’s signature grog that will warm you up instantly.

The band Hawks and Owls will play Christmas music.

If you find Fallasburg resident Bruce Doll and tell him a good story, you may get a 1971 Fallasburg commemorative coin with the covered bridge.

Tina Siciliano Cadwallader organized the paranormal investigation @fallasburg
FHS volunteer Patty Brechbiel at the catering station.
Fallassburgh Flats vintage baseball team

You might run into some old-timers telling their stories of Christmases of the past.

The Fallasburg Historical Society (FHS) volunteers make things happen. Thank them tonight.

A huge bonfire at the Fallasbrug base ball field tops off the night with flames reaching high up into the dark sky.

The suggested donation for adults is $20 to benefit the Fallasburg village maintenance.

The second tiled picture mosaic features some of the FHS events and volunteers from around the year.

See you there tonight. The Christmas party runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 10, 2016.

Have a merry merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

From all of us at the Fallasburg Historical Society

Subscribe to our Fallasburg Today E-newsletter below.

 

Copyright(c) 2016 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highlight of the Christmas party

Vintage Christmas at Fallasburg

On By emmapalovaIn Christmas in Fallasburg, events, Fallasburg Historic Village, Fallasburg Historical Society, historic preservation, history, Michigan historic sites, travel Michigan, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Fallas logo

Fallasburg Historical Society invites public to the annual Christmas party

13944 Covered Bridge Road – Lowell, Michigan 49331

Dear friends,

 The schoolhouse in Fallasburg has always been a place that joins us 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.

Fallas Christmas (2)
Christmas in Fallasburg

 Please join us for our community celebration.

“Christmas in Fallasburg”

Saturday, December 10, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Come and enjoy:

Holiday music by Hawks & Owls

 Libations, refreshments, and our  famous Fallasburg Christmas Buffet

 A roaring bonfire in the Fallas Field to cap off the evening

Come and share the good news with your friends. We’re in an on-going process of restoring and maintaining our museum buildings located in the Fallasburg historic district. The Tower Farm, built circa in 1850, is in dire need of roof repair and other restoration.

 A $20.00 donation is requested from adults.

Fallasburg Historical Society is a non-profit tax-exempt 501(c) (3) corporation

Sign up for the FHS E-newsletter Fallasburg Today right here on our blog.

Copyright (c) 2016 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Veterans at Fallasburg Cemetery

On By emmapalovaIn Covered Bridges, events, Fallasburg Historic Village, Fallasburg Historical Society, historic preservation, history, Michigan historic sites, Pure MichiganLeave a comment

 

Honor a veteran on this Veteran’s Day 2016
Fallasburg veterans biographies

Fallasburg, MI -The following information is from Faded Footsteps website by Alan Teelander of Lowell. Teelander is dedicated to compiling military information on veterans from all over the USA.

World War II

Conrad Allan Bradshaw, US Navy, World War 2, Lowell, MI 49331 N42°59.034, W085°19.109

Conrad Allan Bradshaw
Conrad Allan Bradshaw

Conrad Allan Bradshaw in the U.S., Naval Intelligence Personnel Duty Locations and China Muster Rolls, 1942-1945 Record Image Index-only record Add alternate information Report issue Name: C A Bradshaw Rank or Rate: Ensign Branch of Service: United States Navy Arrival Date: 1 Apr 1944 Muster Roll Date: 30 Apr 1944 Duty Unit or Comments: Personnel In India Duty Location: Calcutta, India

Veterans at Fallasburg. WWii veteran Conrad Alan Bradshaw.
Veterans at Fallasburg. WWII veteran Conrad Alan Bradshaw.

C A Bradshaw in the U.S., Naval Intelligence Personnel Duty Locations and China Muster Rolls, 1942-1945 Record Image Index-only record Add alternate information Report issue Name: C A Bradshaw Rank or Rate: Ensign Branch of Service: United States Navy Muster Roll Date: 17 Oct 1944 Duty Unit or Comments: Change Rank To Lieutenant Jr. Grade

C A Bradshaw in the U.S., Naval Intelligence Personnel Duty Locations and China Muster Rolls, 1942-1945 Record Image Index-only record Add alternate information Report issue Name: C A Bradshaw Rank or Rate: Lieutenant Jr. Grade Branch of Service: United States Navy Muster Roll Date: 30 Nov 1944 Duty Location: Calcutta, India

C A Bradshaw in the U.S., Naval Intelligence Personnel Duty Locations and China Muster Rolls, 1942-1945 Record Image Index-only record Add alternate information Report issue Name: C A Bradshaw Rank or Rate: Lieutenant Jr. Grade Branch of Service: United States Navy Arrival Date: 1 Apr 1944 Muster Roll Date: 31 Dec 1944 Duty Location: Jorh, India

C A Bradshaw in the U.S., Naval Intelligence Personnel Duty Locations and China Muster Rolls, 1942-1945 Record Image Index-only record Add alternate information Report issue Name: C A Bradshaw Rank or Rate: Lieutenant Jr. Grade Branch of Service: United States Navy Muster Roll Date: 31 Aug 1945 Duty Location: Jorh, India

Civil War veteran

George Rummel (Rommel), Company K, 16th Michigan Infantry, Fallasburg, Michigan 49331

George was born in Germany as was his wife Anna Spencer as evidenced by son George Rummel Jr’s death certificate (in the gallery).

Civil War veteran George Rummel
Civil War veteran George Rummel

U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865 about George Rummel Name: George Rummel Side: Union Regiment State/Origin: Michigan Regiment Name: 16 Michigan Infantry Regiment Name Expanded: 16th Regiment, Michigan Infantry Company: K Rank In: Private Rank In Expanded: Private Rank Out: Private Rank Out Expanded: Private Alternate Name: George/Rommel Film Number: M545 roll 36

Michigan Civil War History and Genealogy – The Ultimate Collection – 34 Books on DVD

Source: Faded Footsteps http://www.fadedfootsteps.com

Copyright  (c)2016 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Ken Tamke @fallasburg

Ghostbusters at Fallasburg

On By emmapalovaIn events, Fallasburg Historic Village, Fallasburg Historical Society, historic preservation, history, Michigan historic sites, Pure Michigan, Uncategorized1 Comment

A ghost walk and a history lesson at Fallasburg

By Emma Palova

EW Emma’s Writings

Fallasburg, MI- It was a spooky Saturday night before Halloween at the Fallasburg historical village.

“Put your cell phones in the airplane mode,” advised Edwin Lelieveld, Michigan Paranormal Alliance (MPA) team member.

The Michigan Paranormal Alliance (MPA), the Fallasburg Historical Society (FHS) and their followers conducted a paranormal investigation inside the Fallasburg museum buildings.

“This has been two years in the making,” said Tina Siciliano Cadwallader, FHS event organizer.

Signing in @fallasburg
Tina Siciliano Cadwallader organized the paranormal investigation @fallasburg

Cadwallader put the first time event together as a fundraiser for the historical society.

The MPA started with an introduction inside the Fallasburg one-room schoolhouse museum. We filed behind the old creaking and squeaky desks much like the students did some 150 years ago. The classroom filled up and there was standing room only.

Inside @fallasburg
Ghost hunters inside the Fallasburg schoolhouse museum.

The ghost detecting equipment such as gauss meters, temperature gauges and nitrogen goggles laid on a separate table by the old piano.

The MPA team set up laser purple dot grids and EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) equipment at each location of the paranormal investigation. That is the Fallasburg one-room schoolhouse, John Wesley Fallass House and David Misner House, all of which sit on the Covered Bridge Road. An MPA team member was at each location to interpret the recordings of the EVP sessions.

MPA @fallasburg
The Michigan Paranormal Alliance (MPA) conducts investigation @fallasburg

We divided into three groups, each led by an FHS docent.

My husband Ludek and I were in the group with FHS president Ken Tamke and Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) employees. We walked down the Covered Bridge Road lighting our way with flashlights. We briefly paused at the Tower Farm, better known as the Tower House. We could not go inside because of its dilapidated interior. The FHS is currently seeking funds to repair the Tower House.

“Two sisters lived here,” said Tamke. “It was normal at the time.”

Tamke said there have been reports of haunting at the Tower House.

Local resident Addie Tower Abel, who went to the one-room schoolhouse, said there has been a lot of activity.

“I know about the Tower House, I lived there. So, did my son, they saw a lot of activities,” Abel wrote on facebook.

Lie Kotecki of MPA conducted the EVP session inside the 1842 John W. Fallass house. The temperature gauge in the middle of the completely restored living room showed 66.6 F. According to the MPA, the temperature drops when ghosts are present causing cold spots. The ghosts also give out electromagnetic fields.

Inside John W. House @fallasburg
Lie Kotecki of Michigan Paranormal Society (MPA) conducts an EVP session inside the John W. Fallass House.

“Drop the temperature if you are inside the house with us,” challenged Lie.

The temperature dropped slightly to 66.2 F.

“Did you live in this house?” she asked. “We have no bad energy.”

The FHS president Ken Tamke explained the historical facts at each paranormal investigative location aka museum building.

“The furniture was built from the lumber out of a sawmill at Fallasburg,” he said. “Orwin Douglas built the Tower House and John Waters built the David Misner House.”

Native Indian collection @fallasburg
Native Indian collection @fallasburg

Back at the schoolhouse, Rosemary Leleiveld reported various ghost encounters.

“I felt a female spirit here,” she said. “Missy or Melissa…..”

But, Tamke said it could have been the ghost of Fallasburg resident Ferris Miller, who had died within the last five years.

“We have modern devices,” said Rosemary, “but we come with respect.”

The next EVP session followed at the Misner House. It is the most completed museum out of the Fallasburg portfolio, according to Tamke.

The MPA members usually turn off the lights for the sessions, although they have done EVP sessions in the middle of the day.

Inside Misner House @fallasburg
Michigan Paranormal Alliance members Peggy and Jason Kotecki listen to EVP recording at the Misner House.

“The atmosphere veil becomes thinner,” said Peggy Kotecki, MPA team member. “We use radio frequencies and cameras,” she said.

Jason Kotecki, IT engineer at VanAndel Institute, analyzed the EVP recording at the Misner House and reported about other findings. The MPA team conducted a session in Allegan.

“Have you been to the old Allegan county jail?” Jason asked.

“Not yet,” said Ludek Pala.

“Well, we heard a giggle there,” he said.

Peggy, a nurse at Spectrum, said that sometimes she questions her sanity.

“It’s mostly a boring thing to do,” she said. “We do a lot of recordings and a lot of listening. But, you go for the whole package and you relive it.”

During the EVP session, Peggy asked questions:

“What is your name? Did you live here? Did you have children? Did they go to the schoolhouse down the road?”

The MPA does not solicit business and the paranormal alliance does not charge for their investigations.

“The purpose of the investigation is two-fold,” Rosemary Leleiveld said. “We do ghost hunting and we have ghost hunting equipment at each location. You do a ghost walk and learn more of a history of a location. The architecture draws me in.”

For more info on Fallasburg go to www.fallasburg.org

For more info on MPA go to: www.m-p-a.org

For more info on EW Emma’s Writings go to http://emmapalova.com

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