Join us for the 2021 Summer Speaker Series – July 5th – 7:00 PM

Seating for this event is limited to 50 – no reservations, no admission fee.  Come early to get a seat for this live and in-person presentation.

Michigan State Parks Along the West Michigan Lakeshore

Michigan State Parks Along the West Michigan Lakeshore presented by M. Christine Byron & Thomas R. Wilson – live in the Pump House Museum at 7pm, July 5, 2021 

The Michigan State Parks system was established in 1919, just over 100 years ago. In 1920 the first State Parks were opened to the public. Grand Haven and Silver Lake State Parks were among those established in 1920. By 1930 twelve State Parks were located on, or near, the old West Michigan Pike corridor. Today there are nineteen parks, including Saugatuck Dunes and P.J. Hoffmaster, on the State’s roster of parks on this beautiful stretch of West Michigan.

Byron and Wilson will share old photos and postcards to tell the story of the State Parks which border on the shores of Lake Michigan. Many Michiganders have fond memories of picnics, swimming, camping, and climbing the dunes in these favorite West Michigan parks.

Christine and Tom share a love of Michigan and a fascination with its history. They are especially interested in the history of Michigan’s tourism industry. Their collection of antique postcards and tourist and travel ephemera was the inspiration for the five books in their “Vintage Views” series.

Three of their books have won Michigan Notable Book awards from the Library of Michigan and two books have won State History Awards from the Historical Society of Michigan.

Christine Byron retired from her position as the Local Historical Collections librarian for the Grand Rapids Public Library. She is an avid reader of Michigan history and has collected old Michigan tourist memorabilia for over twenty-five years.

Tom Wilson retired from Sears Roebuck and Company, where he held various positions in his thirty-seven year career. He is a dedicated collector of Michigan real photo postcards. Tom operates a business creating prints from old Michigan and Great Lakes tourist and travel ephemera.

Christine and Tom are married and live with Petey, their white Scotty, in a 1912 Arts and Crafts bungalow in Grand Rapids

2021 Summer Speaker Series

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