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INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand corner and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. University Microfilms International A Beil & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor. Ml 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 Order Number 9223170 An exploration of several early Michigan county fairs as community arts organizations of the 1850s, 1860s, and 1870s. (Volumes I and II) Avery, Julie Ann, Ph.D. Michigan State University, 1992 Copyright ©1992 by Avery, Julie Ann. All rights reserved. UMI 300 N. ZeebRd. Ann Arbor, MI 48106 AN EXPLORATION OF SEVERAL EARLY MICHIGAN COUNTY FAIRS AS COMMUNITY ARTS ORGANIZATIONS OF THE 1850s, 1860s, AND 1870s Volume I By Julie Ann Avery A DISSERTATION Submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY College of Arts and Letters Interdisciplinary Program 1992 ABSTRACT AN EXPLORATION OF SEVERAL EARLY MICHIGAN COUNTY FAIRS AS COMMUNITY ARTS ORGANIZATIONS OF THE 1850s, 1860s, AND 1870s By Julie Ann Avery To date the early county fair has not been recognized for its role as a community arts organization. During the last half of the nineteenth century the county fair was often the only place where area residents could view a collection of creative works. This artwork spanned a broad spectrum of creative endeavor from needlework to photography and painting. Through the fairs, individual successes in the arts were acknowledged, and community standards were both reflected and created. The county fairs of this study sought and encouraged quality in the arts through their activities and were often the only community based agency facilitating involvements in the visual arts. Through four county case studies, the agricultural societies, their fairs, and the cultural life of these remote communities are explored during the 1850s, 1860s, and 1870s. St. Joseph County, Ionia County, the Grand Traverse region, and Ontonagon County were selected based upon the numbers of occupied farms reported to the census, and to represent the state geographically. The history and development of the agricultural fair in America, and the cultural life available in these remote, rural communities are discussed. These early fairs are reexamined in light of the purpose and goals of contemporary community arts agencies. Primary data for this exploratory study was gathered through the weekly newspapers of the period. These early county agricultural societies viewed themselves as leading their communities towards the future. The fair was an inclusive, democratic agency involving a true cross section of the community. The discovery and recognition of quality was the predominant reason for competitions at the fairs. Premiums rewarded the work of individuals and inspired individual and community pursuits. These activities both reflected and contributed to the aesthetic values of the community, and the inclusion of the arts spoke to their value in the life of the community. The creative activities at the fairs had a significant impact on the cultural life of the communities they served. In a surprising number of ways, the activities of these early county fairs parallel the contemporary work of today’s community arts agencies. Copyright by JULIE ANN AVERY 1992 V Dedicated to Charlie Kimes & the Js vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many individuals—colleagues, friends, professors, and family— have contributed significantly towards this accomplishment. From each of their different disciplines, my guidance committee posed questions and offered reactions throughout this process. Thank you, Professors C. Kurt Dewhurst, Sadayoshi Omoto, David C. Ralph, and Frank Rutledge, for your support and assistance; and also to Conrad Donakowski for your observations. Your interest in my concerns, and the ‘broad view’ was most appreciated. Several historians and researchers contributed in numerous ways from their areas of expertise: Val Roy Berryman, Sue Husband, Ilene Schechter, Peg Siciliano and David Tinder. Susan Burack, Judi Dow, Jessie Kimes, Frank Lee, and Stephen Stier read and observed and provided the opportunity for valuable discussion. Lucian Parshall and Denise Smith offered technical assistance, and the “Z” made the process much easier. Jennie Kimes, my sister with the ‘grammar genes,’ was a wonderful editor. The ongoing encouragement and support of my family and friends was crucial. Appreciation is also felt for the encouragement and influence of Douglas Cameron and Barbara Carlisle; and especially for my Dad, who asked me to think about what I really wanted to do. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 Chapter 1 METHODOLOGY 7 PART I - THE BACKGROUND Chapter 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 18 Community Arts Today: A Window to the Past Arts in the Community: 1850-1900 The American County Fair Chapter 3 THE MICHIGAN COUNTY FAIR NETWORK 67 First Fairs Arts At the Fairs PART II - CASE STUDIES PREFACE TO THE CASE STUDIES 109 Chapter 4 ST. JOSEPH COUNTY 113 Chapter 5 IONIA COUNTY 171 Chapter 6 THE GRAND TRAVERSE REGION 255 Chapter 7 ONTONAGON COUNTY, MICHIGAN 326 PART III - CONCLUSION Chapter 8 CONCLUSION 353 viii APPENDICIES A - MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY SURVEY 373 B - COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY SURVEY 382 C - OTHER ITEMS LOCATED 387 D - MUSICAL MATTERS 389 E - IONIA BAND TO PRO BONO PUBLICO 392 F - STATEWIDE REPRESENTATION, FORMATION OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 395 G - OTHER FAIRS AND THE ARTS 397 BIBLIOGRAPHY 402 ix List of Tables 1 Occupied Farms in Region One 9 2 Occupied Farms in Region Two 10 3 Occupied Farms in Region Three and Four 11 4 Date of Organization of Agricultural Societies 61 5 Distribution of Agricultural and Horticultural Societies, 1858 65 6 Distribution of Agricultural and Horticultural Societies, 1868 66 7 Overview Progress: Annual Fairs—St. Joseph County Agricultural Society 170 8 Occupied Farms and Population in Ionia County 173 9 Population for Ionia County Villages 173 10 Overview Progress: Annual Fairs—Ionia County Agricultural Society 254 11 The Union Society’s Growth 289 12 Overview Progress: Annual Fairs—Grand Traverse Region Agricultural Societies 325 13 Population Statistics: Ontonagon County 328 X List of Figures 1 Michigan Map: Four Parallel Regions of Study 6 2 Model Data Collection Schedule -- Each Decade 14 3 Piano Popularity in the Nineteenth Century 43 4 Founding Dates-Early Michigan County Agricultural Societies 76 5 Standing Scrap-bags and a Toilet-basket 83 6 Fret-work Scroll Saw Advertisement 85 7 Cross in Perforated Card Board Work 88 8 Cone-work Frame and Acorn Leaf 94 9 Leather-work Flower Patterns and Picture Frame 96 10 Moss-work Frame 97 11 Skeleton Leaf Design for a Glass Shade 99 12 Soatter-work Design 100 13 Tools and Molds for Waxwork 101 14 St. Joseph County, 1877 113 15 Residence of George I. Crossette 119 16 Photograph Gallery Wagon 121 17 Crayon Painting Advertisement 123 18 Crossette’s Constantine Band 130 19 The Flower Queen Programme 134 20 The Constantine Lecture Association Schedule 138 21 Season Ticket, Twenty-Fifth Fair, 1876 149 xi 22 Ionia County Map, 1881 171 23 H. W. Boozer’s The Union School House. 1866 177 24 Tucker and Baroth Advertisement 180 25 Musical Convention Announcement, 1869 183 26 Broadside for 1866 Concert 184 27 Broadside for 1874 Musical Institute Concert 185 28 S. C. Cornell - India Ink Artist 190 29 Ionia’s New Bandshell 196 30 1868-1869 Course of Lectures, Young Men’s Association 206 31 Comparison of Premium Categories, 1870—1874 225 32 Combined Grounds: Driving Park Association and the Ionia County Agricultural Society 228 33 H. W. Boozer's Photographs of Ionia 239 34 Creative Arts Categories - Progression and Change 241 35 Poster: The Annual Fair--1873 245 36 Grand Traverse Region, 1873 255 37 County Evolution in the Grand Traverse Region 258 38 Fourth Annual Fair Announcement 300 39 Poem: Come to the Fair 305 40 Pioneers of Traverse City 310 41 Charles Kroupa and Crucifix 319 42 Grand Traverse Regional Fair Grounds, 1908 320 43 Entertainment Programme of 1869 337 44 Entertainment Programme of 1870 338 45 Me Manus Brothers Photography Tent 365 46 Exhibits in Grange Hall "At the Fair," Bariyton, Michigan 367 47 Coulbum Family at Lunch in Floral Hall 397 INTRODUCTION The early county fair has not been widely recognized for its role as a community arts organization. During the last half of the nineteenth century, the county fair was often the only place where area residents could view a collection of creative works. These artworks covered a broad spectrum of creative endeavors including needlework, decorative works of wax and found objects (hair, shells, mosses, seeds), ornamental brackets and cushions, photography, drawings, and paintings. The importance of the county fair in advancing the agricultural interests of society is generally acknowledged for this time in America, when increasing self-sufficiency was a strong motivating factor.