MICHIGAN POSTCARD CLUB
Postcard images are shared here for educational purposes only.
Watch for the story of how the Michigan Postcard Club got its start in the 1980s—coming soon!
The Michigan Postcard Club is an organization of postcard collectors and enthusiasts. The club’s mission is to further the preservation of historical postcards.
Programs related to picture postcards are presented at each of the monthly meetings scheduled on the second Monday of the month, September, October, November, February, March, April, and May.
The meeting location is the OLLI at Aquinas classroom on the second floor of the Grace Hauenstein Library, 159 Woodward Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Many thanks to OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) for hosting our meeitngs. Meetings are free and open to the public.
An informal postcard exchange is included at most meetings.
THE IMPORTANCE OF POSTCARDS. If you are wondering why postcards are so important, think about this. Postcards are sometimes the only image that exists for important, fun, and historic destinations in the state. They can be realistic as in real photo postcards, or artistic, beautiful designed, and even fanciful images that inform us about people, places, ideas that would be lost to history without the ubiquitous postcard. And they are still an important means on communicating! Pam VanderPloeg
Favorite Postcard of the month:
Crystal Downs” Frankfort, Michigan.
Upcoming 2026 Programs
March 9, 2026 “Trees” —Wally Ewing
In Trees, four local authors turned their curiosity and expertise to trees in and around Northwest Ottawa County. William Martinus, Larry Romanelli, Wallace Ewing and Lawrence Burns explored the intersection of the history of trees with narratives about their appeal, nature, and incalculable value. They study how deeply connected the realm of trees is with human history and the sustainable relationship we have with them. Ewing’s March 9, 2026 talk at the Michigan Postcard Club Meeting will focus on the history of trees in West Michigan.
About Wally Ewing— Wally Ewing has dedicated more than 30 years to researching, writing, and talking about the history of Northwest Ottawa County. The result has been the publication of more than 30 books, 21 PowerPoint presentations, several articles in Michigan History among other periodicals, and “Remembering Our Past,” a look at local history that he has written for the Grand Haven Tribune and Facebook since 1998.
Monday, April 13, 2026 “The House of David Blues” —Keith Howard
“Gee! but ain’t it grand to hear that band, play the House of David Blues.” Keith will explore the fascinating story of Elmer Schoebel’s 1923 jazz dance parody that went on to become a depression-era fiddle tune, a country swing standard, and a smooth swingin’ big band hit. Through a collection of rare photos and recordings, we’ll see and hear how this tune came about and what made it so unique. Keith Howard is a digital preservation specialist at the Kalamazoo Public Library, a West Michigan University graduate and former instructor of business communication and information technology at Western Michigan University. He is a writer, a postcard collector, a bit of a foodie, and a self-confessed music junkie. Keith lives in Oshtemo with his dog, Benson.
Monday, May 11, 2026 “Shall We Dance? A look back at Michigan dance venues in the first half of the 20th Century”—Christine Byron
In the first half of the 20th Century Social dancing was a popular form of recreation across Michigan. Christine looks back at the era of dance halls and pavilions on the lakeshore, in amusement parks, resorts, hotels, nightclubs, and other spots, including restaurants and taverns that featured “dining and dancing.” She will share dancing styles, from the stately waltzes of the 1900’s to 1920’s novelty dances, and popular 1930’s and 1940’s swing and big band music. Upper right postcard depicts the Dancing Pavilion on Reeds Lake.
About Christine Byron—A retired Grand Rapids Public Library Local Historical Collections librarian, Christine is an avid reader of Michigan history. For over thirty years, she has amassed a collection of thousands of postcards and vintage Michigan travel and tourist memorabilia. With her husband, Tom Wilson, Christine co-authored six books. In summer 2025, she authored a new book of Rebecca Richmond’s diaries—A Perfect Omena Day, published by Leelanau Press.
In Trees, four local authors turned their curiosity and expertise to trees in and around Northwest Ottawa County. William Martinus, Larry Romanelli, Wallace Ewing and Lawrence Burns explored the intersection of the history of trees with narratives about their appeal, nature, and in calculable value. They study how deeply connected the realm of trees is with human history and the sustainable relationship we have with them. Ewing’s March 9, 2026 talk at the Michigan Postcard Club Meeting will focus on the history of trees in West Michigan.