Early children's programs proliferated into the twentieth century when Mary Free Bed took over the building for its rehabilitation projects. Appropriately, the GGRWHC event offers an opportunity to visit a building beautifully rehabilitated itself-and we will toast the recent 125th anniversary of the Mary Free Bed Guild, whose founding and current members were inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 2016. 

In the room originally designed as an assembly hall for children in residence, Cindy Laug will introduce us to the women's organization that developed the Blodgett Home for Children, and Diana Barrett will remind us of the early Mary Free Bed history in this space, as well as a brief account of the fall and recent rebirth of the building itself. 

Join us for a heart-warming spring evening with GGRWHC friends, old and new, with Cindy Laug (also Grand Valley State University & Coopersville Historical Society) and Diana Barrett, (also Grand Rapids Historical Commission). Please join us, but please reserve: 616-574-7307 or   info@ggrwhc.org. Free admission.

Directions: The ICCF Assembly Hall is on the third floor of the current Inner City Christian Federation at 920 Cherry Street SE in Grand Rapids, west of Diamond. Parking is free on the street or at the side and back of the building. Enter either through the grand front door on the north side of the building or the back door on the south, where there is also a handicapped entrance and elevator. If necessary, call 336-9333 for help or send someone to the information desk on the second floor.