Collections

PHOTOGRAPHS

• Searchable index of historical photos
• Downloadable PDF document. Requires Adobe PDF Reader available here.
  • Once downloaded, use Ctrl+F function to search keywords
  • Contact Mary Dersch, curator, to view these items.
• Online Photo Gallery
  • Searchable by subject, keywords, etc.

ORAL HISTORIES

• Index of histories provided by local citizens (link coming soon!)
• Searchable by subject, keyword, etc.

POSTCARDS

• Postcard images from EGR past (link coming soon!) 

ONLINE CATALOG OF HISTORY ROOM BOOKS

• Catalog of the EGR History Room collection of books
• Local, West Michigan and State of Michigan histories
• Contact Mary Dersch, curator, to view these items

EPHEMERA, REALIA & ARTIFACTS - Index

• Searchable inventory of historical items held by the EGR History Room
• Downloadable PDF. Requires Adobe PDF Reader available here
• Once downloaded, use Ctrl+F function to search keywords
• Contact Mary Dersch, curator, to view these items

VERTICAL FILE INDEX

• Searchable vertical file index of items in the EGR History Room
• A-Z index of articles, flyers, and assorted documents 
• Items are non-circulating, can make photocopies at the EGR Library branch.
• Downloadable PDF. Requires Adobe PDF Reader available here
• Once downloaded, use Ctrl+F function to search keywords

RESEARCH RESOURCES

• PDF guide to researching your home
• Databases for searching digitized historical newspapers, magazines, books. 
• Websites focused on historical research and genealogy.

CADENCE NEWSPAPER DIGITAL DATABASE

• The Cadence Newspaper was published between 1975 and 2019 with stories of East Grand Rapids and surrounding communities. The 1975 to 2008 editions are available online.
• Browse by keyword or phrase.  (Download PDF instructions)
• Browse issues by date.
• Digitization project was funded by the Meijer Foundation in 2022/2023 for the East Grand Rapids History Room through Clarke Historical Library of Central Michigan University "Digimichigan Newspaper Collection." 
• Cadence was founded in 1975 by East Grand Rapids residents Susan B. Lovell and co-founders Mary Abbott Cumming, Susan Ryan and Gini Mulligan. 

EAST GRAND RAPIDS CITY COMMISSION MINUTES

• City Commission meetings 1931 to present
• Open individual years, then use Ctrl+F function to search keyword or use search function at top to search all years.

OTHER RESOURCES

• Grand Rapids Historical Society