Treasures of Your Library: A white glove event for history buffs and Grand Rapidians

History nerds of Grand Rapids, you have waited a long time, but finally an event tailored to your desires for all things in the past is arriving in your present with the Grand Rapids Library Foundation’s Treasures of Your Library: A White Glove Event. 

Staring on Wednesday, April 18 at 5 p.m., our downtown library will open up vast pockets of their diverse collection at this very unique fundraiser for the foundation. 

This year’s theme celebrates women’s contributions to Grand Rapids past, present, and future.  Coming off of Women’s History Month, I know many are still seeking spaces and events that celebrate and center on women. 

Some of the areas highlighted are: 

– The Grand Rapids women doctors who discovered the whooping cough vaccine.
– A sneak peek at the landmark project surrounding World War I Women’s Defense cards, which provide fascinating insights into personal lives of women from the early 1900’s.
– Browse Grand Rapids Chicks baseball team memorabilia from the time during World War II when GR had a national women’s baseball team. 

And like every good charity event, there are plenty of craft beers, ciders, wine, and appetizers, as well as really cool auction items like a private dance party by DJ AB, a Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island getaway package, a curated dinner with artfully selected wine pairings from Noco Provisions, and a historical framed print of Grand Rapids titled “Turn of the Century” by Nancy Clouse. 

Libraries have evolved plenty over the years, but honestly I believe the best of times is now. Please consider being a part of the White Glove Event and celebrate our women’s role in history by investing in a ticket to attend this special event to benefit our area’s Grand Rapids Library Foundation. (Image from the Grand Rapids Public Library.)