Holland Museum > Exhibitions > Holland Museum > Black Eden: Idlewild Past, Present, and Future

Black Eden: Idlewild Past, Present, and Future

Picture of Lake Idlewild, 2022, with the exhibit title, Black Eden: Idlewild Past, Present, and Future

 

Founded in 1912, Idlewild, Michigan emerged as a haven for African Americans seeking respite, leisure, and community drawing in middle-class professionals from throughout the Midwest for several decades. Collaborating with Chris CJ Kingdom Grier, a proud Idlewild local who knows the essence of this resort town, the Holland Museum will showcase Idlewild’s history, from its vibrant eras of bustling tourism to its remarkable journey of revival and rejuvenation.


“My Idlewild! A Live Historical Musical Revue” 

Live Band • Vocal Artists • Juke-Joint Atmosphere

“My Idlewild! A Live Historical Musical Revue,” with original songs by Gezelle Grier Myers chronicles the people, famous and locally famous, who made Idlewild a very special place. A live band and vocal artists in a juke-joint atmosphere will bring to life historical Idlewild performers like the Four Tops, Dinah Washington, Fats Waller, and Sarah Vaughan. Attendees will also enjoy a cash bar and other refreshments during this once-in-a-lifetime musical experience. (90 minutes)

Jump to Exhibit-Related Programming 

Idlewild Historical Moments

Picture of Idlewild, Michigan historic First Baptist Church circa 1940s

Historic First Baptist Church of Idlewild, circa 1940s. First Baptist Church celebrated its 90th birthday on July 9, 2023. Rev. Andrea Mitchell is the Pastor. Curator Griers Mother, Dorothy Grier, was the pianist for the church during the 1970s and 1990s.

Picture showing several cars parked in popular downtown Idlewild, Michigan summer 1954

Vacation season in popular downtown Idlewild, summer 1954.

Novelty ashtray from the popular Phil Giles Flamingo Club, one of the most famous clubs in Idlewild.

 

Picture of a group of unidentified people as they pose on the beach outside the Idlewild Club House, Idlewild, Michigan, September 1938.

A group of unidentified people as they pose on the beach outside the Idlewild Club House, Idlewild, Michigan, September 1938.

Picture of the 1969 original program booklet or the Idlewilders Club in Idlewild, Michigan

1969 Program booklet is an original from The Original Chicago Idlewilders Club.

 

 

 

 

Picture of Idlewild, Michigan Community Choir

Idlewild Community Choir directed by Yvonne Powell. This powerhouse young people’s community choir met in the 1970s at Tabernacle AME Church and performed throughout the area. Tabernacle AME Church is the first church in the Black Resort of Idlewild and is celebrating 100 years of continued worship and service August 2023-2024.

Meet Chris CJ Kingdom-Grier

Chris CJ Kingdom-Grier

Chris CJ Kingdom-Grier was born and raised in Idlewild and is a descendant of one of the first black owners and Philanthropists, Robert and Margaret Riffe. His African American memorabilia collection, which includes a sizable Idlewild portion, has been described as Tier 1 Museum Quality. Kingdom-Grier is CEO of Kingdom-Grier & Associates Diversity Equity & Inclusion Consulting Firm and is the current Yates Township/Idlewild Historian & Archivist.

 

 

Related News Posts

Read Now/Watch Videos: New Holland Museum exhibit explores history of Idlewild
Phil Pinarski | Wood TV 8 | Ottawa County | July 24, 2023

Read Now: Holland Museum announces upcoming exhibit on Idlewild
Cassandra Lybrink | Holland Sentinel | July 18, 2023

Exhibit Related Programming

Idlewild Today

Thursday, August 3, 2023
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“My Idlewild” A Live, Historical Musical Revue

Saturday, August 26, 2023
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The Music and Performers of Idlewild

Thursday, September 14 2023
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Idlewild: A Refuge in the Storm

Thursday, September 21, 2023
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Playgrounds for the Frustrated, Fatigued, and Infuriated

Thursday, September 28, 2023
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Historic Community Planning and Stewardship in Idlewild, MI

Thursday, October 10, 2023
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Idlewild: The Black Eden of Michigan: Herlooms of the Past, Honored in the Present

Thursday, October 20, 2023
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Media Sponsor:

Cultural Lens Program Premier Sponsors:

Corewell is the new name for Spectrum Health starting in 2023

This exhibit is supported in part by an award from:

Holland Museum

Holland Museum
31 W. 10th Street
Holland, MI 49423

The Holland Museum tells the story of Holland, Michigan, from its settlement by Dutch immigrants to today’s innovative, successful, and diverse community. Featuring thousands of fascinating historic objects, as well as artwork from the Netherlands from the 1600s through the 1900s, ou permanent History and Dutch Galleries are not to be missed.

MUSEUM HOURS

Thursdays: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fridays: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturdays: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sundays: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Closed Mondays EXCEPT on Free Second Mondays from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Spark!Lab is open and included with general admission on Fridays, Saturdays, and Free Second Mondays.

*FREE SECOND MONDAYS
In addition to regular hours, join us for our “FREE Second Mondays” from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m each month. Check our calendar for specific dates. Sponsored by The Meijer Foundation.

ADMISSION AND DISCOUNTS

Admission 
$10.00 for adults
$8.00 for senior adult
$5.00 for students with a valid college ID and kids 6-18 
FREE: Holland Museum members and children ages 5 and under are free.
$1.00 Museums for All admission (EBT or WIC card holder, $1.00/person, up to 4 people per card).

Discounts
The Holland Museum offers an admission discount to Veterans, active military, and educators. If you are active military, the discount applies each person in your party. If you are a veteran or educator, the discount applies to that person only. Admission for veterans, active military, and educators is $5.

CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF THESE 2024/2025 HOLIDAYS

  • Independence Day, July 4
  • Labor Day, September 1
  • Thanksgiving Day, November 28
  • Christmas Eve, December 24
  • Christmas Day, December 25
  • New Year's Eve, December 31
  • New Year's Day, January 1, 2026


ACCESSIBILITY
The Museum has a handicapped-accessible entrance on the east side of the building next to the circle drive. To access the building, please press the button to the right of the door and the front desk will buzz visitors in. Take the elevator from the ground floor (G) to the first level (1L) and you will arrive behind the reception desk. There is also a wheelchair available for patron use. Each level of the museum is handicapped accessible, as are the restrooms. If you have any specific needs, please call the front desk at (616) 796-3329.

PARKING 
The Holland Museum is located at the corner of 10th Street and River Avenue, across from Centennial Park. Please use the parking lot behind the museum on 9th Street or street parking is available along 10th Street. Handicap accessibility is available from the east side of the building.

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We are a Blue Star Museum and offer free admission to active military and their families from Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 17, 2025, through  Labor Day weekend, Saturday, September 1, 2025.

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For information about Museum building rentals, please contact David Hawley-Lowry at dhawley@hollandmuseum.org

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