Still haven't renewed your Society membership for 2010?? We're starting to think about this year's Directory and want to be sure you're included and the Museum Opening Reception for members is just a few weeks away. Don't miss out on a great year of events.  RENEW NOW! Click HERE

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Mark your calendar
● Wednesday, April 14, Old School House Garden Project, 7:00 PM, Old School House

NEWSLETTER HISTORIES NOW ON-LINE

From March 1996 through October 2008, Kit Lane was the editor of the SDHS Newsletter. She usually added a special historical insert to each issue. The material in these inserts is a treasure trove of local history and remembrances. In addition to the writings of Kit Lane, Bill Kemperman, Helen Gage DeSoto, Jim Schmiechen, Jack Sheridan and many others, the inserts contain many historical letters and diary excerpts.

Chris Yoder has scanned and converted to digital text over 500 pages to prepare them for the SDHS web site. Jack Sheridan is incrementally helping to proof them and to add archival photos which enhance the articles. You can read these fine historical pieces now by clicking HERE

Kit Lane has also prepared a hard-copy set which is indexed and will be available for review at the Old School House research library.

WILLIAM CHADBOURNE, SAUGATUCK-DOUGLAS HOTEL KEEPER

William Chadbourne was born in Canada in 1811 and moved to New York when he was 19. He came to Michigan in the early 1830s and his obituary reports that he: "... was one of surveying party that laid out the town of Allegan. He helped build the first house and cut the first tree on the island."

He must have returned to New York as he married his wife Selina Whaley there at Attica in 1842. They lived in Attica until 1855 when they moved to Otsego. By 1870 they were in Saugatuck operating a hotel.

The 1870 Saugatuck Census shows William Chadbourne as a hotelkeeper, along with his wife Selina, children Hannah, Selina and Mark. Eleven boarders were living in their residence at that time. We don't know when they began their Saugatuck Hotel keeping, but do know from the Aug. 26, 1871 Lake Shore Commercial (Commercial Record) that the "Chadbourne House" in Saugatuck (apparently the name of his establishment) had "changed hands". The same issue tells that Chadbourne had "opened the Douglas House" on the southeast corner of Center and Washington in Douglas.

Douglas House

The Douglas House had been built in the 1860s by Jonathan Wade, and went through a series of owners and operators. In 1868, W. D. Roberts was the proprietor, G.C. Maxson in 1870, and when Chadbourne was there in 1871 the proprietor was John Ryan. We know that Jervis Kibby took charge of the Douglas House in 1874 at the age of 31 and operated the business for almost 40 years. Fred Schultz took over from Kibby in 1910 and operated it for about 30 years. The building burned in Feb. 1934, but a portion was saved and turned into a residence. Remnants are still in that block after being moved to the south and rebuilt again 3-4 years ago.

We do not know how long Chadbourne was associated with the Douglas House, but the Lake Shore Commercial of Mar 29, 1878 announced he had moved to Cheshire (Township in Allegan Co) "to take charge of a farm belong to his daughter"- apparently an older daughter who had married Covil Olney. Two other daughters married prominent Saugatuck businessmen. Hannah, in 1874, became the second wife of Francis Bogue Wallin, and Lina (Selina) (who opened a Saugatuck millinery business in 1879) in 1881 married Civilian M. Cook. William, his wife, and their son Mark are buried in the Mt. Home Cemetery in Otsego, MI. (Thanks to descendant Pat Claussen for the photos of Wm. & Selina and the SDHS Archives for the photo of the Douglas House).             submitted by Chris Yoder

WHAT YOU MISSED

March 10, 2010 SDHS Meeting at the OSH

SDHS members and guests were treated to a college level course in Saugatuck-Douglas Art History as Ken Kutzel shared humorous yet provocative tidbits on five women artists who spent time at Ox-Bow.

Least known were OEW (Olive E. Williams) and Mabel Louise Wheelock (1887-1950). Christiana Ackermann Hoerman (1887-1986), although not as famous as her husband Carl Hoerman, painted with him. Her florals were stunningly composed. Minnie Harms Neebee’s (1873-1936) dashes of bright colors contrasted with Elsa Ulbricht's (1885-1980) dark and haunting views.

It was interesting to note possible Fursman connections among all five women. As more information is found and documented from local knowledge, the story of art in this area can be told. A study group is working to promote these artists and Ken has also established a fund for the restoration of donated art gifts.

Jane Underwood reminded all of upcoming programs:
● April 14 Ruth Johnson will speak on the OSH Gardens
● May 12 Annual Meeting, Awards and Installation
● June 9 Stroll the Denison Property
                                         submitted by Jane Osman

PUB PARTY RAFFLE WINNER

Mahagra

The lucky winner in the SDHS Cocktail/Dinner Cruise raffle was Peter Alman of Douglas. The afternoon or evening cruise (between Memorial Day and September 30) on the vintage Chris-Craft Mahagra includes cocktails and dinner catered by Butch's of Holland.

Bonnie Keller generously donated the cruise, which was originally donated by Matt & Cindy Peterson. All proceeds will benefit the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society.

HISTORY MUSEUM NEWS

Invading Saugatuck: What are these folks lining up for?

A Heads Up From the Museum

Check out these two opportunities:
● For the upcoming museum exhibition "A Place Called Ox-Bow", we are looking for photographs, memorabilia, recollections relative to your connections to the Ox-Bow School of Painting of Saugatuck. Give curator Jim Schmiechen a call on 269-414-9199 or 269-857-5605 or send an email at  James.Schmiechen@cmich.edu
● Join the fun and learning experience as a 2010 Exhibition host by calling Jim (see above) or Bill Hess at 269-857-1081 or email at wwh71@comcast.net

SDHS 101

Plans for this year's "SDHS 101" sessions are already in progress, with the first session planned for Saturday, May 1^st, at the Old School House, beginning at 10:00 a.m. New, former and current members are welcome!

Additional programs will be held on July 31^st and September 11^th. The meetings are designed to learn about the history of our award-winning organization and the opportunities that it has to offer. This is a wonderful chance to meet our new members and discover talents that can benefit the Society. If you have any questions or plan to attend, contact Nyla Hensley at (269) 857-5704 or by email at noteablenyla@yahoo.com

ABOUT THE SOCIETY

To become a member or renew your membership select from the following categories:

Send check payable to the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society to: PO Box 617, Douglas, Michigan 49406. You can also click HERE for a Society Membership Application.

Send items for the newsletter to: Fred Schmidt, PO Box 617, Douglas MI 49406 or email info@sdhistoricalsociety.org

MUSEUM AND TECH CENTER

The Saugatuck-Historical Museum is located in the historic Pump House at the foot of Mt. Baldhead on the west bank of the Kalamazoo River. The Museum's 2010 exhibit is titled:

"A Place Called Ox-Bow: 100 Years of Connecting Art, Nature, and People"

The Museum is now closed and will reopen Sunday, May 30, 2010. Click HERE to learn more about the Museum and view images of the 2009 exhibit.

The Society's Technology Center has moved to the Old School House.

Society Phone: 269 857-5751
Museum Phone: 269 857-7900
Tech Center Phone 269 857-7901
www.sdhistoricalsociety.org