photograph
Catalog Number
1968.21a.23.12Description
This photograph is from the Reimold family photo collection. Handwritten on the back of this photograph it says, "Tulip Festival, Holland, Mi, May 15, 1946". In the photograph is a float being pulled by a jeep with man driving in a military uniform. The float has Dutch dress individuals and a windmill. On the side it says, "Dutch Novelty Shop".History
O.S. Reimold Sr. and Julia C. Van Raalte were married on September 10, 1902. O.S. is Orlando Shrainer. O.S. Reimold Sr. (1873-1962) came to Holland as the principal of Holland Public Schools. It is there he met Julia, who was a teacher for Holland Public at the time. They were married in Hong Kong. Julia was the grand daughter of A.C. Van Raalte. Julia was born to Benjamin Van Raalte at their home on 16th Street. Julia was the only female of the graduating Hope class of 1895. O.S. worked for the World Book Company. Julia and their boys, Philip B (b 1903) and O.S. Jr. (b 1910) summered at the family home on 16th Street (May to Nov.). The home was called “The Maples” and was built for Benjamin Van Raalte Sr in 1867.In 1929 the Dutch Novelty Shop was located at 50 West 8th Street in Holland, MI (1929 city directory). Owned and operated by Chester Van Tongeren (1896-1971), the shop had relocated to 141 River Avenue by 1934 (1934 city directory). By 1940 the address had changed once more, this time the store was located at 85 River Avenue in Holland, MI (1940 city directory). The Dutch Novelty Shop appears in city directories as late as 1962.
One of the attractions of the Dutch Novelty Shop was the window to their wooden shoe factory, where tourists could watch the carvers at work. The carvers were Gerrit “Gary” Ten Brink, a klompenmaker (wooden shoe maker) who immigrated in 1934, and Fred Oldemulders.
The Wooden Shoe Factory and Restaurant was an extension of the Van Tongeren's Dutch Novelty business.
The Wooden Shoe was originally located on M-21 (Chicago Drive). 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, began to focus solely on producing wooden bowls.