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Trunk, Latvian Immigrant, A. Grinbergs
Identifier:
2004.22.2Description:
Rectangular wooden truck painted red, made by a Latvian (probably Alexandris Grinbergs) while in a German displaced person camp. The trunk case is made of separate pieces of wood nailed together at each end to an interior and exterior upright wood support piece. The front edge of each seam is also wrapped with a metal band that is nailed on to the edge of the case. There are separate pieces of wood applied on the exterior of each corner. One both short ends of the turnk there is a straight piece of wood nailed to these uprights: they are probably to be used as handles. The hinged lid is made of two pieces of unequal size wood. THe larger piece has a tenon cut into along the entire width of the lid. These two pieces are held togehter by two boards nailed to them on the underside. The lid has two large metal hasps. (One has separated from its mount and is inside the trunk.} The mount remains attached to the trunk. White painted lettering on the top of the trunk reads from top to botton: E.C. 2251129/ A. Grinbergs, 214 East 21st Str- New York, N.Y. U.S.A. Box 1/1 is painted in a box at the lower left corner. The letter G inside a square is painted on the top left corner of the front and left side panels of the case. This same initial within a box occurs on both top corners of the rear and right side case panels.;According to another Latvian immigrant, Tia Grass, who grew up in a displaced persons camp in Germany from 1946 through 1960, this trunk is identical to the type that her family made for their move to the U.S. The source stated that there were classes held in the camps to teach people how to make these style trunks. Each person was allowed to bring one trunk with them when they came to the U.S. This trunk was probably made by Mr. Alexandris Grinberg's while he was in a displaced person's camp.;This trunk was left on the back porch of the home of former city historian Gordon Olson with no name or information. Gordon recognized the name on the trunk as that of a Latvian immigrant Gordon knew from the barbershop where he got his hair cut. Mr. Olson called the Museum and asked if we wanted it. Ms. Kandl, curator, picked up the trunk at Mr. Olson's home. Mr. Olson promised to speak with the man he thought the trunk came from and get information to Ms. Kandl. After more than a years time, Mr. Olson told Ms. kandl that the man whose name was on the trunk had passed away and he had no other information to provide. Several people in the Latvian community suggested Ms. Kandl call a Dr. Zadvinkas to see if he knew of any survivors of Grinberg's. Dr. Zadvinkas confirmed that Grinbergs was deceased and that he had an estranged wife who had moved to Las Vegas many years previously . Dr. Z also explained that his son was a lawyer and had settled Grinberg's estate and he would call his son and ask him to talk to the etranged wife about the trunk. Evidently the Grinberg's had not lived together for many years but there had never been a formal divorce. After about one year's time, Dr. Z's son finally got back to him and told him that he had been trying to get ahold of Grinberg's ex-wife but she had moved and there was no forwarding address. He stated that there was supposed to be a son that lives in Chicago, but no one knows where. In light of this situation it was decided that the donor would be listed as Mr. Olson.;Probably made in a displaced person's camp in Germany while the owner waited to immigrate to the U.S. The maker probably used the trunk to store and ship all the possessions s/he could take to the U.S. May have been used as genenral storage after moving to the U.S.;Per search of the Grand Rapids City Directories, Alex Grinbergs first appears in the 1952 directory. The address is listed as 200 Straight SW., wife Anne.Date:
1950 – 1955Materials:
WoodDimensions:
22" h 4" w 25" dCurrent Location Status:
On ExhibitSource:
In Memory Of Alex GrinbergsExhibit/Program:
Newcomers: The People of this Place (after 2008)Related Entities:
Alex Grinbergs (creator) Gordon L. Olson (donor)"Gordon L. Olson, Grand Rapids City Historian Emeritus, died on January 18, 2024 at the age of 80. A man of strong principle and generosity, even a heart as big as his wasn't enough to overcome the many medical challenges he faced in the last two years of his life.
Born on April 5,1943, in Frederic, Wisconsin, Gordon Olson grew up on a farm. His parents instilled a strong work ethic in him and his three siblings along with a progressive political attitude. Throughout his life Gordon was not without opinions and was not shy about sharing them. On occasion he'd ruffle some feathers, often with tongue in cheek. He maintained a healthy curiosity and an engaging sense of humor. He claimed that he did not have a soft side. But he did. And he displayed a lifelong love of animals, dating back to his earliest days on the farm, along with an enduring love of books.
Olson attended local elementary and high schools and excelled at sports. He had to. There were about 20 boys in his graduating class of 40 and every one was expected to play for the varsity. Olson then attended Wisconsin State University, River Falls, where he earned a BS degree in history, followed by an MS in teaching. It was here he met his future wife, Christine Broniszewski. They were married in 1968. In 1969 he attended the University of Wyoming to begin work on his PhD. During this time, he served as curator of the Wyoming State Museum. In 1972, while attending a seminar at Colonial Williamsburg, Olson met Grand Rapids Public Museum Director Weldon Frankforter who offered him the job of Assistant Director of the Museum. The Olson's relocated to Michigan and Gordon worked for the Museum until 1979 when he was named to the newly-created post of Grand Rapids City Historian, just one of a small group of city historians in the country.
Olson thrived in his new job. He embraced his new community and became the primary resource for city history. He welcomed all who visited his office at the Grand Rapids Public Library with research questions or just to share stories. He was an avid listener. And his reputation traveled well. It was often said that anyone visiting from Grand Rapids to anywhere in the continental U.S., and sometimes beyond, would eventually be asked if they knew Gordon Olson. His home community knew him well and showed its appreciation. After his retirement from his city post he was named Grand Rapids City Historian Emeritus. In 2002 he earned the Albert Baxter Award from the Grand Rapids Historical Society, and in 2014 he was the initial recipient of the Kutsche Office of Local History Award, an honor later changed to the Gordon Olson Award.
Gordon originated and/or presided over projects that included the city's historical marker and riverfront exhibit and ethnic history programs, the Great Lakes Beadwork traveling exhibit, Downtown Grand Rapids walking tours and videos, a Festival of the Arts Downtown History Tour, and well over a thousand programs and lectures to groups throughout the community. In addition, he was a sought-after member for numerous organizations and was a willing volunteer. He served on the board of the Historical Society of Michigan and was a founding member of the National Council of Public History. He also taught history at Grand Rapids Community College and GVSU.
Olson authored over 40 books and articles and served as editor on many others. Among these were the exhibit catalog Beads: Their Use By Upper Great Lakes Indians; A Grand Rapids Sampler; Grand Rapids: A City Renewed; Grand Rapids and Its People, a local history text and curriculum for area schools; Flight to Freedom, the story of the Vietnamese in West Michigan; Thin Ice: Coming of Age in Grand Rapids, co-edited with Reinder VanTil; A Michigan Polar Bear Confronts The Bolsheviks, Private Godfrey Anderson's World War 1 memoir of service in northern Russia; The Notorious Isaac Earl and His Scouts, the story of Lt. Isaac Newton Earl and the special Union Army scouts he commanded during the Civil War.
Gordon also produced histories for Amway, Steelcase Inc., Mary Free Bed Hospital, the Grand Rapids Foundation, Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute at GVSU, Clark Retirement Community, and Irwin Seating Company. His writing career led him to become one of the original members of a community of writers and literary enthusiasts that still meet weekly at the Cottage Bar in Grand Rapids.
Olson maintained his love affair with sports by continuing to play into his early 60s. He was a founding member of the Gilmour Gorillas and a regular on the Old Yellers City Rec softball teams. He formed and managed a vintage baseball team (no gloves), the Kent Base Ball Club, from 1991 to 2012, taking his team to venues in Michigan such as Fallsburg, Douglas, Bay City, Rochester, Fayette, Benton Harbor, Greenfield Village, Ludington, Manistee, Petoskey, Mackinac Island, and Navin Field, site of the former Tiger Stadium. The Kents also visited communities throughout the Midwest and other places, such as New York State, Woodstock, Ontario, Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York, and various minor league ball parks... He established the Silas K. Pierce Cup, later renamed the Pierce-Olson Cup, for a tournament held annually at Riverside Park that drew as many as 16 teams from throughout the Midwest.
Gordon and Christine made their own history in a marriage filled with adventure. Christine was well known in the community as well, as a fine artist and as a teacher at Kendall College of Art and Design. She is currently a docent at The Grand Rapids Art Museum. Although the couple did not have children, he and Christine enjoyed their many nieces and nephews. And Gordon easily became a father figure to countless students, teammates, and friends, young and old. The Olson's were also experienced world travelers. Gordon recently fulfilled a lifelong dream to visit all seven continents, the last being Antarctica just a few short years ago.
Gordon is survived by his wife Christine, his brother Gary (Kim), and his sisters Carol (Ted Fox), and Lois (Jerry Peterson), as well as many nieces and nephews.
It is impossible to summarize a life such as Gordon Olson's. There are more stories than there is time to adequately tell them. This being said, a memorial will be held for Gordon at a date yet to be announced. In the meantime, donations in his name can be made to: The Literacy Center of West Michigan, the Kutsche Office of Local History at GVSU, and the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation."
Obituary Courtesy of Memorial Alternatives