Our speaker this week is Author Bob Taylor Founder of the Patriot Promise Foundation from Grand Rapids, to hear about his book that he has written: From Service to Success: New Mission, new Purpose, and a New Journey to a Great Life.
In 1886 a group of railways formed the West Michigan Park Association and purchased land on the northside of Lake Macatawa. The building that is now called the Pump House was built in 1901 as a generating facility to provide the Hotel Ottawa with electricity. The railroad tracks were removed in 1913 and the rail bed became Ottawa Beach Road. In 1915 the cottages were electrified when lines were run from Grand Haven. After the hotel burned, the building was turned into a water pumping facility for the area until 1984 when Park Township connected them to water.
The Historic Ottawa Beach Society (HOBS) was formed to preserve the history of the area. In 1995 HOBS succeeded in listing the Pump House on the US Historical Register and in 2002 a state historical marker was installed. After Park Township built a walkway along the Lake Macatawa shoreline, discussion began in earnest on restoring the building.
In 2014 the restoration of the Pump House began. The initial restoration was finished and dedicated in May 2015. The Michigan Historical Society recognized the restoration with an award in 2018. The building couldn't be open to the public on a continuing basis because there were no bathrooms. In 2018 a historically accurate bathroom was added and a permanent occupancy permit was issued.
So far, the museum has worked with Valerie Van Heest to produce the following exhibitions.
Big Red Exhibit. This exhibit was later turned into an electronic exhibit that is now at the Pump House.
Hollands Earliest Amusements Exhibit about Jenison Electric Park and Lakewood Farm and Zoo. This was also turned into an electronic exhibit.
For a number of years, West Ottawa Elementary School students have collected historical artifacts and advised the museum on how to make exhibits more accessible to their age group. The artifacts that they have collected have been used to create another electronic display.
This year's exhibit was about the effect of electrification on the Ottawa Beach area.
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In 1886 a group of railways formed the West Michigan Park Association and purchased land on the northside of Lake Macatawa. The building that is now called the Pump House was built in 1901 as a generating facility to provide the Hotel Ottawa with electricity. The railroad tracks were removed in 1913 and the rail bed became Ottawa Beach Road. In 1915 the cottages were electrified when lines were run from Grand Haven. After the hotel burned, the building was turned into a water pumping facility for the area until 1984 when Park Township connected them to water. 