ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” story. It is an editorial by the editor.
“History? What do I care about history? I AM history.” — The joke about coach Wayne Fontes when he was fired by the Detroit Lions
The Wayland/Penasee Globe is dead, and the clock is ticking on the only other viable historical record of our existence in northeast Allegan County — the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr.
If something isn’t done fairly soon, the citizens of Wayland, Dorr, Moline, Martin and Hopkins could be without any official record of these five communities.
It’s bad enough when a 134-year-old weekly newspaper goes belly up, it’s even worse when a local treasure full of information about ancestry, soldiers, officials, athletes and events follows suit. Such a calamity is possible after examining the situation for Then & Now.
The historical library more than a decade ago moved into the old Dorr Township Hall, later the Dorr Township Library. Township hall moved to more spacious quarters across the street at the corner of 18th Street and 142nd Avenue. The new library was built to the north on 18th Street.
Though the new library is a fine facility, it is not capable of absorbing the materials and artifacts from Then & Now. So that option has been ruled out after careful consideration.
Officials with the all-volunteer historical group have been considering taking over a building in downtown Wayland, but such a move is cost prohibitive.
The clock is ticking because Then & Now’s next door neighbor, Billy Fifelski’s gas station and towing service, has purchased the building now housing the library with designs on expanding its business. Fifelski has graciously agreed to give the historical service some time before moving, but prospects are gaining for eviction if something isn’t done. And Then & Now, as it stands now, has nowhere to go.
There has been some talk about perhaps locating the service inside a good-sized idle building in the area and combining its services with a center for senior citizens. The argument is that the seniors’ population is growing leaps and bounds because of the retirements of Baby Boomers, and a lot of these people would like somewhere to go for some fellowship and even some public programs.
One huge drawback is financial because such a place just doesn’t bring in the bacon and it’s likely the seniors and Then & Now would ask the facility not have to pay taxes. Local municipalities these days aren’t keen on giving up taxable properties for free.
I hereby ask representatives from the Wayland City Council and the township boards of Wayland, Dorr, Leighton, Hopkins, Martin, Watson, Salem and Monterey to gather to do some brainstorming about how to save a local treasure. Perhaps some kind of Historical Commission for Northeast Allegan County could be formed. Perhaps some sort of civic- and history-minded businessperson could be consulted about lending financial support or location.
All I know is that without the Then & Now Historical Library, I will no longer be able to provide the weekly “Bygone Days” columns that include tales of what happened 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago.
What a shame it would be if we lost our own history.
Finding a suitable location and funding for a historical repository has been problematic for many years. Some of what is cared for now by the Then & Now folk was once housed at the Henika District Library. Space constraints made it impossible for the library building to serve the dual purpose of library and historical society. Financial concerns continue to be the major hurdle for libraries as well as historical groupsl
The editor’s call for local municipalities is commendable. I would add that cooperation might be sought from the libraries of northeast Allegan County, as well as the Allegan historical group, and the Allegan County Community Foundation. All of these resources have the connections, expertise, enthusiasm, interest, and financial networks that could provide excellent guidance and personpower to accomplish the preservation of this valuable local history. If memory serves, Plainwell and Otsego may also have resources upon which to draw for experience in such matters.
Having lived and worked in Wayland for 35 years I have a deep love of the community that used to be home. I extend my best wishes for success in making long-term arrangements for local history preservation happen.
We lost our history a few years ago. Tear down all the civil war statues. they are not racist they are history . All Americans fighting on different sides. Ask a 20 to 30 year old who Patton was? Patton who ask them about a code talker from WW!! ? Is that on MTV. Cities and townships care more about fire trucks and police cars funding for parks and walkways. dont expect to much help from them . History is repeating it self I dont think anybody will like it.
It would be a shame indeed if this resource were to no longer be available. The folks working to keep this going are to be commended for a job well done.
I would hope the city of Waylabd would take up the challenge of finding a building acceptable for this much needed service. Between the local townships and the city, please embrace this and make it happen.
Not sure where this info comes from, as far as I know Dorr Township has not even received (or asked others) bids on the property. I do recall there was a letter asking if Twp would be interested, but I haven’t heard anything further.