BOWNE TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY

ALTO, MI

Soundscape 1 at "Border Cantos - Sound Borders" exhibit Winter into spring at the GRAM (Grand Rapids Art Museum) has seen this long project by Richard Misrach (photographer) and Guillermo Galindo (musical instrument builder and composer/performer) to document scenes, textures and light, and lives along the Mexico-USA border, in some cases with wall barriers and other places patrolled by high and low-technology methods. This video clip starts with a facsimile to clothed figures seen in place to warn would-be travelers about danger ahead. The camera sweeps around this room of the exhibit to see some of the various musical instruments cobbled together from materials at hand from which compositions were made and then recorded so that visitors approaching an exhibit stand activate the looped audio to hear the result of that instrument. When several visitors trigger multiple loops there is an overlapping effect. The video homes in on a percussion instrument from scrap metal named (2014) "wall vibraphone." See also the years of border crossing documentation by anthropologist, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_De_Le%C3%B3n" rel="noreferrer nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_De_Le%C3%B3n</a> Press L for 'lightbox' to view the clip on a black background.
Soundscape 1 at "Border Cantos - Sound Borders" exhibit Credit: anthroview

The Bowne Township Historical Society is a non-profit organization located in Alto, Michigan. Established in 1999, the society is dedicated to preserving the history of Bowne Township and promoting an appreciation for the area's past. The society operates out of a restored one-room schoolhouse, known as the Bowne Center, which was built in 1872 and served as a school until 1958.

The Bowne Township Historical Society maintains a collection of artifacts and documents related to the history of the township and its residents. This collection includes photographs, maps, newspapers, and other items dating back to the mid-19th century. The society also hosts events and educational programs throughout the year, including historical presentations, tours of local landmarks, and workshops on traditional crafts and skills.

In addition to its preservation efforts, the Bowne Township Historical Society is actively involved in community outreach and engagement. The society collaborates with local schools, organizations, and businesses to promote historical awareness and to foster a sense of pride in the township's rich heritage. Through its programs and initiatives, the society strives to ensure that the history of Bowne Township is not forgotten and that future generations will have the opportunity to learn from the past.

BOWNE TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY is a Historical Societies, Historic Preservation in ALTO MI. US MID #8402600283

The museum is classed as HSC (Historical Societies, Historic Preservation). It comes under American Alliance of Museums (AAM) region: Midwest (Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin).

Soundscape 1 at "Border Cantos - Sound Borders" exhibit Winter into spring at the GRAM (Grand Rapids Art Museum) has seen this long project by Richard Misrach (photographer) and Guillermo Galindo (musical instrument builder and composer/performer) to document scenes, textures and light, and lives along the Mexico-USA border, in some cases with wall barriers and other places patrolled by high and low-technology methods. This video clip starts with a facsimile to clothed figures seen in place to warn would-be travelers about danger ahead. The camera sweeps around this room of the exhibit to see some of the various musical instruments cobbled together from materials at hand from which compositions were made and then recorded so that visitors approaching an exhibit stand activate the looped audio to hear the result of that instrument. When several visitors trigger multiple loops there is an overlapping effect. The video homes in on a percussion instrument from scrap metal named (2014) "wall vibraphone." See also the years of border crossing documentation by anthropologist, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_De_Le%C3%B3n" rel="noreferrer nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_De_Le%C3%B3n</a> Press L for 'lightbox' to view the clip on a black background.
Light and dark at the art museum, literal and figurative Compared to the evening sunlight streaming into the west-facing windows and mirrored by the opening photo of this special exhibit with Mexico-USA borderland photos and original musical compositions coming from found objects fashioned into music makers, the gallery interior itself is dim. That is true at the level of light values and optic nerve, but the dimness also is true in a figurative or symbolic way since the themes are mostly distressing and dark when vulnerable lives are devalued, disregarded, and (indirectly) caused to disappear. See also the years of border crossing documentation by anthropologist, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_De_Le%C3%B3n" rel="noreferrer nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_De_Le%C3%B3n</a> Press L for lightbox (large) view; click the image or press Z for full image display. Hover the mouse pointer over the image for pop-up remarks.
One brick at a time builds the final project At the scale of child's play there is LEGO for small and big projects. That is the special exhibit now at the GRAM (Grand Rapids Art Museum). But looking out the window into the evening light the downtown skyline of Grand Rapids stands, in part, thanks to the childhood playing of people who grew up to be architects, general contractors and skilled workers. So the juxtaposition of LEGO to skyline is a fitting way to portray the relationship of small things leading to big ones. Press L for lightbox (large) view; click the image or press Z for full image display. Hover the mouse pointer over the image for pop-up remarks.
Red turbans bobbing in the April lunchtime breeze With roots in Turkey, the bright flowers of the tulip bulb thrilled Dutch buyers of the 1600s, leading to "tulip fever," wild speculation on horticulture futures that crashed and left some in poverty. From the Dutch word Tulpen (for 'turban') comes the English pronunciation of Tulip. Whatever it is called and how it may be pronounced, the color is intense in any case. Just as a rose by any other name smells as sweet, so too of the vivid colors of tulips: no matter its moniker, the visual delight is unchanged. Press L for 'lightbox' to view the clip on a black background.
Making little birch trees begins with the catkins At this cool bright noon hour the tiny flowers of the birch sway in the breeze, getting ready to bring pollen and flower together to form seeds that will scatter and sprout in some cases. Press L for 'lightbox' to view the clip on a black background.
Published poems of many pages on display Although rap music has many fans, amateurs and professionals who make one kind of poetry, the kind found in these books on the tables have no rhythm section to accompany them. The average English-speaking person in 2024 may have lyrics they love in musical form, but relatively few read poetry books and ever fewer write it. So naming April as "national poetry month" the word-smithing gains visibility and maybe, too, it attracts new practitioners. Press L for lightbox (large) view; click the image or press Z for full image display. Hover the mouse pointer over the image for pop-up remarks.
Sweeping view above the Veterans Cemetery In the contrasty light of early morning this recording turns from the I-96 traffic around to the east where the morning sun sends out light and then to the rolling graveyard's south view and finally coming to rest with the view to the west. Press L for 'lightbox' to view the clip on a black background.
Before the trees turn bare branches into masses of green Along both banks of the river the trees are only a few weeks from swapping their blossoms and pollen for new leaves to turn sunlight into food to grow. Press L for lightbox (large) view; click the image or press Z for full image display. Hover the mouse pointer over the image for pop-up remarks.
Row on row of Civil War military vets of Michigan and beyond Opened in 1886 and rededicated in a ceremony in 1986, the burial ground adjacent to the GRHV (Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, now Michigan Veterans Home) is mainly filled with mortal remains of those dying after the hostilities ended in 1865. Twenty years later, as veterans began aging and succumbed to infirmities, the land near the Grand River floodplain about 3.5 miles north of city center was donated and the State of Michigan built facilities for those having no means of support. The place largely was self sufficient, growing vegetables and slaughtering livestock to meet their needs in the first generation or two. This snapshot with early morning shadow still long is from about 20 or 25' in the air and shows the geometry of the cemetery nearest the east boundary's ceremonial gate. Press L for lightbox (large) view; click the image or press Z for full image display. Hover the mouse pointer over the image for pop-up remarks.
Mostly land forces, a few serving U.S. Navy, too There are something like 4000 burials from Civil War era and following, according to the website for veteran burial grounds and the State of Michigan. The long shadows of early light comprise only a fraction of the total property adjacent to today's GRHV, Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. Press L for lightbox (large) view; click the image or press Z for full image display. Hover the mouse pointer over the image for pop-up remarks.
Looking north to the Grand River and city outskirts To the left of the frame is US-131 on its passage to northern Michigan. The river is centered with the foreground filled with the extended Riverside Park and the Michigan Veterans' Facility at the right edge and beyond the frame. Press L for lightbox (large) view; click the image or press Z for full image display. Hover the mouse pointer over the image for pop-up remarks.

Contact BOWNE TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY

BOWNE TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PO BOX 35
ALTO
MI
49302-0035

Disclaimer: please note this database is maintained by volunteers and whilst we endeavour to do our best, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listing.

If you notice any errors or omissions in the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

< WEST SIDE DETROIT POLISH AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY HARRISVILLE CULTURAL INSTITUTE >

Find more ALTO MI Museums

What 3 Words

///tanned.horns.perch. Near Caledonia, Michigan

Nearby Museums

BOWNE TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Map of BOWNE TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY

BOWNE TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY Information

MID # 8402600283
Name BOWNE TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Alternate Name
Classification Historical Societies, Historic Preservation, , Midwest
Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) 205084764
NTEECC A82
Tax period of the latest return filed (YYYYMM) 201012
INCOME 0
REVENUE 0
LAT/LONG 42.828375, -85.428516
CODES FIPS State Code: 26
FIPS County Code: 081
US Census Tract: 014806
US Census Block: 1045