Member Spotlight The A.C. Van Institute at Hope College

Established in January 1993, the A. C. Van Raalte Institute of offices. In September 2004, the Van Raalte Institute and the at Hope College was named in honor of the founder of Hol- Joint Archives of Holland moved into the Theil Research Cen- land, Michigan: the Reverend Albertus C. Van Raalte (1811– ter, given by Eleonore Goldschmidt Theil and the late eminent 1876). Van Raalte, who also played a key role in the founding economist Dr. Henri Theil. of Hope College, arrived in Western Michigan with a small Staff expansion began with the appointment of other schol- group of followers on February 9, 1847. ars: In a letter written November 27, 1846, Van Raalte de- • Dr. Robert P. Swierenga, research professor (1996– ) scribed his dream as he and his followers headed westward • Dr. Jeanne M. Jacobson, senior research fellow (1996–2009) from New York: “I hope that a large colony can be established • Dr. James C. Kennedy, research fellow (1997–2005) here in America which will focus its work on the Kingdom of • Dr. Jacob E. Nyenhuis, senior research fellow (2001–02) and God.” The bold Christian vision that he had for the church, director (2002– ) for education, and for this new community continues to have • Dr. Donald J. Bruggink and Dr. Earl Wm. Kennedy, senior an impact on the “colony” that he founded in 1847 as well as research fellows (2003– ) on the college which he later helped to establish. His vision for • Nella Kennedy, senior research fellow and official translator this colony of Seceders from the State Church of the Nether- (2009– ) lands is incorporated into the institute’s mission statement: Karen G. Schakel served as office manager and editorial

The mission of the institute is to honor the memory and the assistant from 1997 until her death in late 2009; she was suc- All photos Lou Schakel vision of the Reverend Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte, the founder of Holland, by studying his life and work. From this mission 1 also is derived the scholarly investigation and publication of materials concerned with the immigration and the contribu- tions of the Dutch and their descendants in the United States of America. Furthermore, the institute is dedicated to the study of the history of all segments of the community throughout its history. Today, the institute fulfills its educational mission not only through research and publication, but also by sponsor- ing lectures and presentations by its members and invited guests. United by a passion for the past and its contemporary relevance, the staff represent a range of fields, from modern, economic, church, and art history to theology and classics (Greece and Rome). Liaison with scholars and educational and cultural institutions in the and other countries has enlarged the institute’s vision. In April 1993, President John H. Jacobson appointed Dr. Elton J. Bruins, the Blek- kink Professor Emeritus of Religion, as director The A. C. Van Raalte Institute of the institute—a post at Hope College was established he held until 2002, when through an endowment he became a research provided by the family of a professor. He had devot- Hope College graduate, then- ed much of his career to Trustee Peter H. Huizenga. research on Van Raalte The gift was made in honor and was the ideal person of Elizabeth Bovenkerk for this position. Huizenga, widow of Petro (Pete) The institute became Huizenga (1908–56). In 1942, a physical presence in Petro established a garbage January 1994, when collection business which, in Bruins was given a 1968, was transformed by modest office space in his family and his nephew, H. Van Zoeren Hall, and Wayne Huizenga, into Waste in 1996, the institute Management, Inc. moved into a new suite

6 HSM Chronicle ceeded in 2010 by JoHannah Smith. Since 1996, the institute village of Wanneperveen in , the Netherlands. After has had a succession of student research assistants; many have studying theology at Leiden University, he became a leader gone to graduate school, and one has already earned a PhD in in the newly formed Separatist Church from 1836 until his history. departure for America in 1846 in search of economic opportu- In fall 2003, a new Visiting Research Fellows Program was nity and religious and educational freedom. The settlement on launched by the institute, with Dr. Hans Krabbendam of the the shores of Black Lake grew rapidly, and he devoted himself Roosevelt Study Center, Middelburg, the Netherlands, and Dr. not only to spiritual leadership, but also to civic and economic Lynn Winkels Japinga, Associate Professor of Religion at Hope leadership until his death on November 7, 1876. College, as the first two fellows. Each year since then, the Multiple activities will occur throughout West Michigan in institute has welcomed fellows from near and far to conduct October in celebration of Van Raalte’s 200th birthday, with research consistent with the organization’s mission. A grant most activities falling between Friday, October 21, and Tues- from the Netherland-America Foundation in 2006 funded a day, October 25. Included are a two-day Founder’s Festival; new program for Dutch scholars. Specialties have included: concerts of Dutch music by the Holland Symphony Orchestra, modern history, church history, theology, sociology, psychol- the Holland Chorale, and Hope College organists Dr. Huw ogy, and even microbiology/history of science. Several former Lewis and Prof. Linda Strouf; a community worship service in visiting research fellows have been named honorary research Van Raalte’s original church; and an international conference. fellows. Also included are exhibitions from September to October in museums, libraries, research centers, and churches in Holland, The Albertus C. Van Raalte Bicentennial Zeeland, and Grand Rapids. Additional information about the celebration, and an updated list of events, is available online at The Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, the son of a pastor in the www.dutchheritagewestmichigan.com.

All photos Lou Schakel Dutch Reformed Church, was born October 17, 1811 in the Planning and coordination of the celebration is by the Dutch Heritage Coordinating Council, whose mission is to 2 provide a forum to further the preservation and promotion of Dutch heritage in the Greater Holland/Zeeland Area. The council’s goal is to celebrate a visionary leader who had a ma- jor impact upon and left an enduring legacy for the area. The bilateral conference “Albertus C. Van Raalte: Leader and Liaison” will be held at Hope College on October 24 and 25 and in on November 3 and 4. Additional informa- tion is available online at www.hope.edu/vri. —Submitted by ACVRI director Jacob Nyenhuis. 3

(1) A statue of Albertus C. Van Raalte stands in Holland’s Centennial Park. (2) Staff members—(from left to right) Robert P. Swierenga, Donald J. Bruggink, JoHannah Smith, Jacob E. Nyenhuis, and Elton J. Bruins—stand in front of the Theil Research Center, home of the A. C. Van Raalte Institute, with staff members (L-R) (3) Furniture from the home of Albertus C. and Christina Van Raalte (courtesy of Western Theological Seminary).

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