As
a baby boomer, I’ve seen a lot of history in my lifetime. My generation grew up in the post-World War
II boom, where the second half of the 20th Century saw the greatest
advances in nearly everything; to the internet and the information age, space
and the moon landing, muscle cars, and arguably, the greatest music ever made.
As boomers,
we’re pretty nostalgic. We want to look
back at the great things we’ve experienced and witnessed as we reach retirement
age. I know firsthand that many of us boomers
long for simpler times and want our posterity to learn about it and to see how
great it was, even with the social strife that came with it.
A few years ago, I finished my career as a funeral director. Our funeral home, Shaw Funeral Home, was the first in Battle Creek, Michigan; founded in 1866 and operated by four generations of my family since 1909. As a funeral director I had a front row seat to history, in both my childhood and professional life. I oversaw the passing of my community’s finest citizens and families. I was honored and privileged to write many of their obituaries which will be reviewed and studied by future historians.
Educated as a
journalist, I was taught the idea we write the first draft of history, and it’s
true!
I’ve always been
close to history and lived through much of it and have written about a lot of
it. I participated in historical events
in the military, including the end of the cold war, Navy ship commissioning,
global conflicts, and world changing events, including witness to the Beirut Bombing
of our Marines and its aftermath, the first volley in the War on Terrorism.
I was blessed to
study Michigan history in high school and at Central Michigan University. I had
wonderful professors who ignited my passion for all things Michigan and piqued
my curiosity. I fondly remember taking
part in Michigan Week events as a youngster, something we should bring
back. It lit my passion for our state.
A while ago, I
was asked to get involved with The Battle Creek Regional History Museum, (BCRHM). I was flattered but put it on the backburner
as something to do “later.” I had the
opportunity to do a presentation on Navy History for the museum a few years ago
and it reignited my interest in local history and the museum, which was about
to transform into something great.
Recently, I was elected to serve on the RHM Board of Directors and have
jumped in with both feet. Timing is
everything.
I’ve always
believed Battle Creek has the very best local history in Michigan, so much has
happened here. Most peg us as the Cereal
City, but we’re so much more. Battle
Creek has been the site of many industrial era revolutions, religious and
social movements, military history, and music revolutions in all genres. I’m excited to be part of our local history
network.
The Battle Creek
Regional History Museum is still in its infancy and holds a great deal of
promise to become one of Michigan’s top historical destinations. Right now, it’s a work in progress. Presently, communities all over Michigan are
reclaiming their collective history, as they should.
If you are not
aware, the BCRHM is at 307 West Jackson Street in the old Battle Creek
Equipment Company building. It is
perfectly situated at the confluence of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Rivers
along the linear park, and next to historic Sullivan Barn. The building itself
is historic. The company manufactured a great deal of exercise equipment for Dr.
Kellogg’s Battle Creek Sanitarium and the public.
BCRHM is very
close to paying off the original mortgage and then can begin really making it
into something spectacular! You can
help! We still need the community’s
resources going forward to make it so.
It’s a very worthy investment, not just in our past, but our future.
Recently, many
of the BCRHM board members, including myself, were interviewed by history
students at Albion College. This chat
really encouraged me to continue to speak out on historic preservation. It was refreshing to see a new generation
taking a strong interest in history. History
is not boring!
My hope is the
BCRHM continues on its meteoric rise as a source of community pride, an
educational resource, and inspiration for many years to come. If we don’t preserve our history now, it
might be too late, and lost forever.
There is so much here to be proud of and we have to preserve it for
those coming behind us. It’s just the
right thing to do!
We hope to see
you soon!
To become a
member or contribute to the BCRHM visit www.bcrhm.org.
You can also
support the museum through the Battle Creek Community Foundation. The
donation link at the BCCF for the museum is:
www.bccfoundation.org/fund/regional-history-museum-capital-campaign-fund
T. R. Shaw Jr.
is a lifelong resident of Battle Creek, Michigan, CEO of Shaw Communication, and board
member of the BCRHM. He is a retired
funeral director and Navy officer as well as a published author and freelance
writer. www.trshawjr.com
