Ladies Literary Club Votes to Give Calvin Historic Building

October 26, 2006 == MEDIA ADVISORY

Calvin College is adding another piece to its presence in downtown Grand
Rapids.

The Ladies Literary Club voted yesterday to give its historic property at 61
Sheldon Boulevard to Calvin and that property will join the college's new 106
South Division art gallery and studio space among downtown Calvin holdings.
Interestingly, Calvin was founded in 1876 on Spring Street, a location just
blocks from the LLC building and the art gallery.

The college plans to invest approximately $1 million in improvements into 61
Sheldon and maintain it as a resource for the West Michigan community.

"The remaining members of the Ladies Literary Club were looking for a group to
carry on their tradition of lectures, music and theater and, at the same time,
to preserve the classic building which has been the Club's home for over a
century," says Calvin president Gaylen Byker. "We are thrilled that they chose
Calvin to be that group. "We are excited about the chance to be of service to
the community and about expanding our downtown presence, and we are eager to
explore the many possibilities for the space."

Among the significant improvements Calvin must make to the building are better
handicap accessibility and enhancement of the lighting and sound systems. It
also will improve the heating and air handling system. To make this work
possible, Calvin is seeking the support of individuals and foundations that are
committed to and invested in downtown renewal. Commitments already have been
received from the Frey, Meijer, Steelcase and Sebastian foundations.

Says Byker: "The outcome will be a literary and cultural heritage continued
as well as a classic building preserved and equipped for 21st century service
to the community."

Over the years the LLC has hosted distinguished statesmen, including U.S.
presidents Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson, as well
as Mary Garden, director of the Chicago Opera Company and national columnist
Ann Landers. Stage performances included 14 years of theater productions, while
the LLC "Books and Lunch" program drew women not only from the downtown area
but from all around the city.

Calvin's ownership of the building might bring similar type events to 61
Sheldon. Calvin envisions such uses for the space as noontime lectures, Calvin
Academy for Lifelong Learning classes (for older learners), music recitals,
short theatre productions, dance recitals, a variety of concerts, literary or
cultural readings, educational workshops and seminars and more.

The college also recognizes opportunities for use by a variety of community
groups, including the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, the World Affairs
Council, West Michigan Women's Studies Council, River City Improv, West
Michigan Jazz, and the Gilbert & Sullivan Society, many of which are interested
in the building and would welcome improvements that include more accessibility
and better sound and lighting systems.

The LLC building itself is historically significant and can be found on the
National Register of Historic Places. Designed by architect William Robinson,
the building is in Richardsonian Romanesque style. The imposing facade is
reinforced by curved arches over the windows and a recessed front entrance.
French plate glass windows, stone trim, and slate roof enhance the exterior
while classical motifs adorn the interior, including a striking Tiffany window.
 

The Ladies Literary Club had been seeking a new owner for the building since
June 2005 when the organization voted to disband because of dwindling
membership.

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Received on Thu Oct 26 13:00:35 2006