Category: historic preservation

Chief’s suggestions include the need for more vendors

On By emmapalovaIn Fallasburg Historic Village, Fallasburg village bazaar, historic preservation, UncategorizedLeave a comment
A letter from Larry Roslund aka Chief BirdBrain on the improvement of the Fallasburg village bazaar
Emma,
As I discussed with you at the show, the venue is a wonderful place to spend two days but only if there are customers there to look at the booths. Obviously, those customers are close by at the Arts Festival but were not enticed to come over to the Village. I sold $133.00 of items and a normal two-day show would be $500.00 to $1,000.
In talking to a number of customers who visited the Arts Festival, they commented on the lack of knowledge about the Village, did not know there were more booths across the bridge and in a few cases stated that they had driven by but there were not enough booths to entice them to stop.
The Arts Festival is a large, and expensive, gathering of mainly high-priced art. As a juried show many crafters do not make the cut to the final 100 vendors. It is a great draw but many people do not buy.
I believe there is a distinction that can be made that would allow a Village “Craft” Bazaar to be successful. 
To do so, there must be “draws” that get people to drive over. Having the houses and museum open would be one, food vendors would help, maybe a Model T car show or even music or demonstrations.
I am not sure what your organization currently has within its membership but if not currently there then maybe some non-members can help. Better signage would also be needed. To be enticing, at least 25 craft booths will be needed. These should be hand-made items that are priced under $100.00.
The parking situation also needs to be more clearly defined and restrooms must be provided.
The vendors were also discussing a horse and buggy to bring people from the Arts Festival or golf carts. Maybe someone should be in the parking lot of the Arts Festival handing out brochures about the Village Craft Bazaar. Better signage is a must.
You need to play up the historical aspect of the Village since that appears to be what you are trying to preserve. The ball game seems to be trying to do that but there were no people watching and it was not publicized to the general public. The time of the game seemed to be early and there were no signs to direct people to it.
We discussed your Facebook postings but the vendors were not added to your Facebook page. This should happen automatically upon getting an application submitted. In addition, brochures should be available to be handed out at earlier craft shows to get the 25 plus that you need. I would be willing to help with that effort.
The Arts Festival is in its 42nd year, I am sure they had growing pains to get there. You have much more land to work with, a beautiful shady spot for vendors and can keep prices down to attract more vendors. All of that should make for a successful event.
Larry
Chief BirdBrain
BirdBrain Enterprizes
Note: Larry said he was coming back next year, much like the majority of the current vendors.

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

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FHS president’s message for fall

On By emmapalovaIn Fallasburg Historic Village, Fallasburg Historical Society, Fallasburg village bazaar, historic preservation, history, Michigan historic sites, Pure Michigan, travel Michigan, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I heard someone say it just the other day, “summer has just flown by,” and it’s true.  The silver lining in that cloud is the onset of fall.  Hard to argue it’s not the most beautiful season in West Michigan.

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FHS president Ken Tamke

A big thanks to our volunteers

Cooperative weather patterns have facilitated much-needed village maintenance projects.  Volunteers and jacks-of-all-trades, Mark Kuzee and Alan Rumbaugh, have spearheaded the effort with preparing, patching, painting, carpentry, and electrical work on a variety of FHS properties.  Frank Brechbiel often lends a hand, even yours truly on occasion, and hard not to acknowledge Tina Cadwallader who has been a pretty good sport about cleaning up the messes we make.

A job well-done

 

 

Murray Lake Elementary students at Fallasburg

 

Our flagship museum, the schoolhouse

Our Schoolhouse has been kept busy.  She saw two wedding ceremonies, a book signing, Murray Lake Elementary’ s first grade classes, the Fallassburgh Flats Vintage Base Club, and a steady stream of Sunday drivers.

Fallassburgh Flats
Fallassburgh Flats vintage baseball team

 

 

Wedding

Of special note…One of those weddings joined Doug Wilbur, 47-year superintendent of Fallasburg Park, and patron saint of Fallasburg Village in holy matrimony.  Congratulations! Doug & Lori!

Book signing

The book signing, introduced our own Emma Palova’s first book, a collection of short fiction, “Shifting Sands Short Stories,” which Palova describes as “magic realism.”  There’s still a chance to get your own personal signed copy.  Emma will be at our Schoolhouse once again on Saturday, Sept. 16 and Sunday, September 17, from 1-4PM on the big weekend.

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Volunteers Doty Blain & Addie Abel during Emma’s book signing

The big weekend of the 3rd annual Fallasburg village bazaar

The Big Weekend?  Saturday & Sunday, September 16 & 17, of course!  The Fallasburg Bazaar in the heart of Fallasburg Village, the John Wesley Fallass Invitational Vintage Base Ball Tournament, Saturday on Fallas Field, “Shifting Sands Short Stories” book signing with Emma Palova, on Saturday and Sunday at the Schoolhouse.  Fallasburg Village Museums open both days, and oh yeah, that little, old art fair across the Covered Bridge, LowellArts’, Fallasburg Fall Festival of the Arts-the Granddaddy of them all!  No better time to come out to Fallasburg and explore.

 

 

Nancy Price Stroosnyder of the Whites Bridge historical society at the first annual Fallasburg village bazaar.

Brand new website

For you “virtual” explorers, FHS is very happy to announce the completion of our website upgrade project, the address, www.fallasburg.org .  Thank you to the Lowell Cable Television Fund for your financial support.  Thank you to Betsy Davidson and Addorio Technologies LLC of Lowell for your know-how.  Please check it out, all the pages, pretty cool?  We still have a tweak or two to make, a picture to change, but Betsy has done a phenomenal job.  Then, she says she’s going to teach FHS how to maintain it…  She doesn’t know what she’s getting herself into!

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History’s Mysteries

To join, to donate, to volunteer.  For events, information, or just a trip down memory lane…

www.fallasburg.org

Our next event:

Christmas in Fallasburg, Saturday, December 9, 2017

 

 

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

Pure Fallasburg village & bazaar

On By emmapalovaIn book signing, Covered Bridges, Fallasburg Historic Village, Fallasburg Historical Society, Fallasburg village bazaar, historic preservation, history, Michigan historic sites, Pure Michigan, travel Michigan, Uncategorized2 Comments

Get ready for an action-packed fun-filled weekend in the pioneer village of Fallasburg on Sept. 16 & Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The third annual Fallasburg village bazaar is this weekend.

Attention vendors: the set-up starts today Friday, Sept.15 from noon to 8 pm.

If setting up tomorrow, you must be done by 10 am when the village bazaar officially opens.

Below is just a sampling of the treasures ahead of you.

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We Anticipate good weather and fun treasure seekers.

The village will be decked out in its autumn glory. Come and experience history of the 1850s village founded by John Wesley Fallass.

Once you enter the Fallasburg Park on Fallasburg Road hang a second right at the Covered Bridge Road, and mainly cross the iconic Covered Bridge into the village that nestles on 42 acres on the banks of the Flat River.

 

 

 

The vendor booths will be located along the Covered Bridge Road between the historical buildings. That is on the lawn in front of the Tower Farm and by the Misner House with abundant parking.

Following is a list of vendors:

 

 

 

Nancy Price Stroosnyder of the Whites Bridge historical society at the first annual Fallasburg village bazaar.
Fallassburgh Flats vintage baseball team
Rock art by Doug & Marcia

Non-profit vendors:

Lowell, Crew, Whites Bridge Historical Society group and metal detecting outfit.

Profit vendors:

Rock Art, Sandy’s Fudge, Anna Maria with gnome and fairy houses, Shabby Chicnaniggans signs and furniture, soaps & sachets, greeting cards, Thunderstorm Metal Art, James $ Heather Babala, metal, stone and glass.

The new vendors include Susan Clarke with silk scarves dyed organically in leaves and berries, Larry Rowland with birdhouses, Bettany Tania with jewelry made from guitar strings and antique vintage tins.

You can still get a spot by contacting Michelle Emas at michelle_emaus@yahoo.com or by calling 1-616-648-0048.

The 12 by 12 feet booths are $50, and 12 by 24 are $100 for both days.

The Fallasburg Historical Society (FHS) requests that you set up on Friday between noon and eight. Same day set up should be complete by 10 a.m. prior to the opening of the Fallasburg bazaar event.

“I hope that the weather cooperates,” liaison Michelle Emaus said. “Colbie will have her lemonade stand with pink, yellow and pomegranate lemonade.”

Emaus said the camaraderie among the vendors is fantastic.

“We hope to grow the event,” she said. “We want to encourage people to cross the Covered Bridge. It is growing with vendors and attendance.”

As with any event, Emaus said it’s the people who make is so great.

The vintage Fallasburg Flats baseball team will hold a tournament on Saturday from 10 a.m. at the Fallas Field across from the one-room schoolhouse.

“No fear.” They play baseball without gloves. Check them out.

Local author Emma Palova will have her book signing of Shifting Sands Short Stories inside the schoolhouse from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. Come and chat with the author about the egotistical characters in the book like the perfect math professor Martin Duggan.

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We will have refreshments.

Also the Fallasburg Historical Society will have an informational table at the shelter during the Fall Festival for the Arts. Stop by and say hi.

For more info about Fallasburg go to: http://www.fallasburg.org

For more info about author Emma Palova go to http://emmapalova.com

 

 

 

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

Fallasburg Village Bazaar

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

Pure Fallasburg in its autumn glory

The 3rd annual village bazaar set for Sept.16 and Sept.17 from 10 am to 5 pm is still open to vendors.

For info contact Michelle Emaus at michelle_emaus@yahoo.com.

This is the map of the Fallasburg pioneer village. Just cross the Covered Bridge into the past.

The house museums are located along the Covered Bridge Road.

Watch for full post this weekend. Mark your calendars for Sept.16 & 17 from 10 to 5 pm both days.

Join us for a weekend of fun and shopping @Fallasburg.

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

Partners in history

On By emmapalovaIn book signing, Covered Bridges, events, fall color tours, Fallasburg Historic Village, Fallasburg Historical Society, Fallasburg village bazaar, historic preservation, history, Michigan historic sites, Pure Michigan, travel Michigan, Uncategorized2 Comments

Local author book signing at the Fallasburg pioneer village during Fall Fest for the Arts and Fallasburg Village Bazaar

By Emma Palova

Lowell, MI -I find history being the biggest Partner
on my life’s journey. I have to  think back to the Soviet invasion of former Czechoslovakia on August 21, 1968, which has formed my life and the career of a writer all the way to the present author.

If it wasn’t for the Soviet invasion, my father former professor Vaclav Konecny would not have defected the occupied country for the USA. He was one of thousands of expatriates who illegally left the country in protest of the suppression of the Prague Spring reformist movement led by Alexander Dubcek.

I write about this in the Greenwich Meridian where East meets West memoir about the Konecny family immigration saga spanning three generations.

My writing has been inspired by the leader of the 1989 Velvet Revolution, late president Vaclav Havel. I embarked on my professional writing career as a correspondent for Czechoslovak Newsweek, based in New York City.

History continues to inspire me, because I find in it similarities to today’s problems and solutions in the society.

“I have a lifelong passion for history & politics which in turn fuel my writing,” Emma Palova said in a recent interview for the Lowell Ledger.

Palova has been writing about the Fallasburg Historical Society (FHS) events since mid 2000s. In 2015, she designed the “The next 50 years of Fallasburg” campaign for the FHS.

FHS president Ken Tamke commented about the collaboration between the historical society and Emma Palova of Emma Blogs, LLC.

 

Murray Lake Elementary students at Fallasburg

FHS’ collaboration with Emma Palova was born out of necessity.  Our website was old, outdated, and had too many people trying to fix it.  Realizing the importance of a viable website integrated with social media, but also realizing that a re-design and launch of something new and fresh would take time and money, FHS sought to take an intermediate step so as not to lose our cyber presence completely.  We were familiar with Ms. Palova’s writing as a reporter for the Lowell Ledger.  A proposal was drafted.  Ms. Palova was able to help publicize ongoing FHS events through social media sites and through a blog she created, “Fallasburg Today,” in this interim period.  The same charming coverage present in her writings for the Ledger helped Fallasburg engage its followers and supporters by keeping them informed and up to date while undergoing our website remodel.

 Now, three years later, with a sparkling new website, FHS found Ms. Palova’s work to be indispensable.  Lacking familiarity and comfort with technology aside, Ms. Palova captures nicely the feeling of Fallasburg and its residents.  Her coverage of events attracts people to become involved as volunteers, donors, and participants.  Her knowledge of social media fills a gap that in today’s world, is integral in communicating our message.  FHS could not be happier with Emma Palova and the contribution she makes to the Fallasburg Historical Society.

In the spirit of collaboration, FHS vice-president Tina Siciliano Cadwallader offered that Emma could use the Fallasburg one-room schoolhouse museum for her book-signing events.

A  successful first book signing was held at the museum on July 16.

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First book signing of Shifting Sands Short Stories at the one-room schoolhouse on July 16, 2017

“I couldn’t be happier, so many of my fans from the newspaper years came to the event,” she said. “Moreover, my parents, whom I write about the Greenwich Meridian saga also attended.”

Emma Palova’s next book signing event of Shifting Sands Short Stories will be held during the Fallasburg Fall Festival for the Arts and the Fallasburg Village Bazaar on Sept. 16 & Sept. 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the one-room schoolhouse museum. Everyone is welcome.

Come and explore the ambiance of the 1850s Fallasburg pioneer village and chat with the local author and journalist, who has been covering area events for more than two decades.

The feature photo shows FHS volunteers Addie Abel (right) and Dotty Blain (left) doing what they do best. That is assisting at most of  the events held at the Fallasburg one-room schoolhouse, including Emma’s book signing.

“I share the same passion for history with all the FHS volunteers,” Palova said.

Follow Emma’s author journey on Amazon on

https://www.amazon.com/Emma-Palova/e/B0711XJ6GY

Watch for a story about the 3rd annual Fallasburg village bazaar that features local artists, crafters and artisans set in the pioneer village.

 

Natures Serenity by Linda Krops Phillips & Jerry Kropf.
Becky Hubbert mixes Unicorn Poop kettle corn.
Nancy Price Stroosnyder with Whites Bridge Historical Society
Map of the pioneer Fallasburg village.

Below is an example of a few artifacts at the Fallass House, which is a part of the 1850s Fallasburg pioneer village.

 

Artifacts at Fallass House
History’s Mysteries
Accession forms

 

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

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

Accession forms

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

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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

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