This object has been deaccessioned and is no longer in the GRPM's collection
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Clothing Accessories
Clothing and Accessories
Women's Clothing
Voigt Family Collection ➔ Parasol
Identifier:
V1816Description:
This parasol has a white canopy of moire silk. It has no lining and the handle is made of painted white wood. The lowest part of the handle is a ball of China with floral decorations. This parasol belonged to a member of the Voigt family of Grand Rapids, Michigan.Women often carried parasols to protect their complexion from the sun. A fair complexion was prized as a symbol of a life of leisure, showing that these women didn't have to work outside and could spend their days inside. A parasol differs from an umbrella in that a parasol generally protects one from the sun whereas an umbrella protects one from the rain or other elements.
Date:
circa 1900 – 1925Materials:
Silk Moire, Wood, China, MetalDimensions:
36"" h 40"" wCurrent Location Status:
DeaccessionedCollection Tier:
Tier 2Source:
Gift Of Kent County Council For Historic PreservationRelated Entities:
Kent County Council for Historic Preservation (donor)The Kent County Council for Historic Preservation has several responsibilities that support the preservation and protection of our history. These include:
- Recommending designation of new historic districts
- Reviewing applications for proposed alterations within historic districts
- Enforcing the Historic Preservation Ordinance Chapter and cooperating with the state, federal and local governments in pursuance of its responsibilities
- Conducting meetings or hearings necessary to carry out these purposes
The Historic Preservation Commission consists of seven members who reside in Grand Rapids. Members are appointed by the City Commission for three-year terms (two consecutive terms are allowed). Members shall have a demonstrated interest in or knowledge of historic preservation. Two members shall be appointed from a list submitted by the Kent County Council for Historic Preservation and one member shall be an architect duly registered in the State of Michigan.
http://grcity.us/design-and-development-services/Planning-Department/Pages/Historic-Preservation-Commission.aspx
Alternate names: Voigt Family
The Voigt family, whose home is now preserved by the Grand Rapids Public Museum, moved to the city in 1875 and resided at 133 Court Street (now Scribner Street). The Voigt family partnered with the Herpolsheimer family in the dry-good and carpet business and in a few years the partnership expanded to include two flour mills -- the Crescent and Star mills located on the Grand River. In 1902 the partnership came to a mutual end. The Herpolsheimer family retained the dry-good store and the Voigt family kept the two mills. By the turn of the century, Voigt flour under several brand names, and later Voigt Cereal, were known across Michigan and far east as New England. Due to bankruptcy and a strike, the flour milling business came to an abrupt end in 1955. In 1895, Carl G.A. Voigt hired local architect William G. Robinson to design a house on 115 College Avenue Southeast to serve as his retirement home. It was modeled after the chateaux at Chenoceaux, France. The home is a fine example of Victorian architecture and complemented the Victorian family that lived in it. It was lived in by just the Voigt family which was comprised of Carl Gustav Adolf Voigt, his wife Elizabeth Wurster Voigt and their children. They were the parents of nine children with six surviving until adulthood. The family lived in the home from 1895 to 1971.
