David Britten, former Pine Street Elementary principal and US Army Lt. Col. (Ret.), has been selected to receive this year’s Albert Baxter award.
The award was created in 1980 by the Grand Rapids Historical Society to honor persons who have made significant contributions to the preservation and interpretation of Grand River Valley history. The award was named in honor of Albert Baxter, one of Grand Rapids early historians who published, History of the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1891.
“I can’t say enough about how humble I feel being selected for this honor,” Britten said. ”The list of past honorees include many of the giants in Grand Rapids area history research, writing and preservation, some of whom I’ve had the privilege of knowing and learning from.”
Britten will receive the award at the annual meeting Thursday, May 14.
Britten served as principal at Pine Street after being discharged by the Army. He then left to take a principal’s post at Wyomin Godfrey Lee and he later was elevated to superintendent. He has since retired.
His publications / media includes: (not complete)
• 100 Years at the Lee Street School. (book) David Britten & Thomas DeGennaro. 2023.
• A.J. Longstreet. (article). Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 24-1. Feb. 2024.
• Aluminum Extrusion Plant. (article). Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 23-2. Aug. 2023.
• Body by Fisher. (article). Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 24-2. Aug. 2024.
• Bottling Pepsi. (article). Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 23-2. Aug. 2023.
• Courage without Fear: The Story of the Grand Rapids Guard. (book). Xlibris: 2004. Available on Amazon.
• From Beals Road to 28th Street, a History of The Miracle Mile. (book) Editor with Bill Branz and Vicki Briggs. Wyoming Historical Society, 2022.
• The Grand Valley Armory: Home of the 126th Infantry Since 1965. (article). Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 25-1. Feb. 2025.
• Leonard-Kelvinator. (article). Article. Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 23-2. Aug. 2023.
• Picric Town. (article). Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 23-1. Feb. 2023.
• The Siple Murder: (program documents).
• South Grand Rapids. (article). Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 23-2. Aug. 2023.
• Wyoming Library. (article). Article. Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 23-2. Aug. 2023.
• Wyoming’s First Auto Factory. (article). Article. Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 25-1. Feb. 2025.
• Wyoming’s First Catholic Church and School. (article). Wyoming, Michigan Yesteryears, v. 24-2. Aug. 2024.
