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Souvenirs ➔ Ribbon Badge
Identifier:
2023.5.3Description:
This reversible ribbon badge is from St. Adalbert's Aid Society, also known as 5th Street Hall, and features a gold tassel on either edge as well as gold fringe along the bottom. Each side has a flower decoration at the top and reads as follows: Pierwsze Pol. Rz. Kat. | Tow. Br. Pomocy | Sw. Wojciecha | B. i M. | Zal. Igo. Listopada 1872 r. | w Grand Rapids, Mich.". According to the donor, the badge may have been worn with the red and white side facing out for events and reversed to the black side for memorials.This ribbon badge is part of the 5th Street Hall Archival Collection #241 which contains a variety of objects relating to the Hall including meeting minutes, business papers, booklets, photographs, and other ephemera. The Collection helps document the history of Michigan's oldest Polish Aid Society.
Date:
circa 1900Materials:
Ribbon, Fringe, MetalDimensions:
10.25" h 3.25" wCurrent Location Status:
In StorageCollection Tier:
Tier 2Source:
Gift of David TrepkeRelated Entities:
David Trepke (donor) St. Adalbert's Aid Society (used by)Alternate names: 5th Street Hall, Fifth Street Hall, Saint Adalbert Aid Society
The St. Adalbert's Aid Society, commonly called 5th Street Hall, was founded in 1872 by Anton Stiller and was the first established Polish society in Michigan. At its founding, the purpose of the society was to help immigrants settling in the area with things such as finding housing and employment as well as teaching English and providing life insurance to members. Prior to the Hall being built in 1892 at 701 5th Street NW., business was conducted out of members' homes. As of 2023, the Hall still functions as a gathering place for community members, many of whom are descendants of Grand Rapids Polish settlers.