GR Gems

Set among hundreds of Victorian-era mansions in Grand Rapids’ historic Heritage Hill neighborhood sits a lone Prairie- style home designed by globally famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

One of the country's oldest destination ski resorts located in lower Michigan just announced eight inches of new snow. 

Ever been to the Broadway Bar during the Christmas season? It’s truly a sight to behold.

Usually, when a business rebrands, it’s in response to the fact things aren’t working out business-wise.

Well before U2 became the biggest band in the world, they found an enthusiastic audience at the Fountain Street Church.

While there aren’t as many gay bars and social venues as there once were in Grand Rapids, The Apartment Lounge is one of those community institutions that has endured.

April is National Poetry Month and this year (2023) marks 55 years since the assassination of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. 

This President’s Day we examine the legacy of Gerald R. Ford Jr. with some interesting facts about the nation’s 38th president, who grew up in Grand Rapids. 

Christmas Day, 1965. Nancy K. Poppen of Muskegon is nine months pregnant. In fact, she’s about to burst. Her children, Wendy, 10 and Laurie, 5, are driving her absolutely crazy.

Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital has delivered 7,370 babies so far in 2022. Here are the top names for girls and for boys:

Some of the best places in Grand Rapids do their part to share the city’s history.

A fine artist and poet, William Randolph (Randy) Brown came to Grand Rapids as a young man.

At the close of World War II, thousands of women came to the United States as war brides, mostly from Europe. Felipa Breguera was one of 2,215 Filipina women who immigrated to America between 1946-1950 under the War Brides Act.

After graduating from nursing school in the 1890s, Lulu L. Cudney worked as a registered nurse in Grand Rapids for more than 60 years. In 1951, she compiled a history of nursing in the community, including stories and photographs about dozens of local women.

Started by Lebanese immigrant Deeb Hattem in 1910, Hattem’s was a fixture at Wealthy and Division for nearly 60 years.

In 1947, employment options for Black Grand Rapidians were limited mostly to hotels, restaurants, domestic work or hard labor.

Sledding has long been a popular winter activity for kids in Grand Rapids.

The Merrie-Go-Round brought books to the community.

The Apartment Lounge is a haven for those in need of community.

Community organizing helped keep Charles Garfield’s legacy intact.