photograph
Catalog Number
2022.19.87
Description
Color photograph showing a letter from Susan Ford, daughter of President Gerald Ford. The letter was typed on White House stationary on 6-25-1976 and addressed to Bill Vande Water.
This letter was on view during a tour of the Holland Bowl Mill on 4-21-2023 by Dave Gier.
History
The Wooden Shoe Factory and Restaurant was an extension of the Van Tongeren's Dutch Novelty business. It was located at 549 Chicago Drive (M-21) in Holland Township as early as 1952 (it does not appear here in the 1950 city directory). This building burned down on 12-26-1956, re-opening in 1962 at 16th and US 31. By this time Chester's son Del Van Tongeren (1929-1996) was helping run the stores. The Fuller Brothers had a special room at the US 31 shop where their wooden bowls were sold. In 1987 the Fullers sold the Wooden Bowl to the Wooden Shoe Factory. The Wooden Shoe Factory closed it's doors in 1999 and, under the guidance of Chester Van Tongeren's grandson Dave Gier, Jr. began to focus solely on producing wooden bowls. Dave Gier, Jr. the son of Dave Gier and Donna Van Tongeren, took over operating the Wooden Shoe Factory ca. 1976. His uncle Del Van Tongeren has been in charge previously.
