KPL Videos: Kalamazoo History — Kalamazoo Public Library

Notable Figures in Kalamazoo Area History with Dianna Higgs Stampfler

Learn about the remarkable lives of Kalamazoo’s historic figures in this presentation, inspired by Kalamazoo County Characters by Dianna Higgs Stampfler. Recorded on January 30, 2025, this talk highlights local…

Recorded 01/30/2025

Categories: Kalamazoo History

KPL 150th Anniversary - 150 Years of Providing Access to Information

From its beginnings as a school library that was open just one hour a week to a showplace deemed “Library of the Year” in 2002 by Library Journal, the Kalamazoo Public…

Recorded 06/30/2023

Categories: Archival Films & Video; Kalamazoo History

A History of the Washington Square Branch Library - With Keith Howard

As part of the library’s 150th-anniversary celebration, KPL’s Keith Howard takes a close look at the origins of the Washington Square Branch Library and its 113-year history. From its inception…

Recorded 03/23/2023

Categories: Entertainment; Family; Information; Instructional; Kalamazoo History

Tags: Kalamazoo History; Kalamazoo Public Library History

Eastwood Branch's 113th Anniversary Celebration - Celebrating Kalamazoo's Eastside

KPL would like to thank all who attended Eastwood’s 113th celebration. The turnout was impressive, and the evening was filled with warmth and joyful moments. Special thanks to Guests: Buddy…

Recorded 02/03/2023

Categories: Entertainment; Family; Information; Kalamazoo History

Tags: Kalamazoo History; Kalamazoo Public Library History

Black History In Kalamazoo

In celebration of Black History Month, let’s take a look at a slice of Kalamazoo’s very own Black History with this installment of KPL’s Local History Minute! KPL’s Local History…

Recorded 01/27/2023

Categories: Family; Information; Kalamazoo History

Tags: black history; Kalamazoo History

Presented by Lynn Houghton

Take a look back at the decade of the 1870s in the Village of Kalamazoo where a lot occurred including the school library becoming the Kalamazoo Public Library. Let’s examine…

Recorded 12/01/2022

Categories: Entertainment; Family; Information; Kalamazoo History

Tags: Kalamazoo History

A History of the Oshtemo Branch Library Presented by Keith Howard

KPL’s Keith Howard takes a close look at the origins of the Oshtemo Branch Library and its near 60-year history. The Oshtemo Branch Library began in 1964 as an experimental…

Recorded 11/15/2022

Categories: Entertainment; Information; Kalamazoo History; Michigan History

Tags: Local History

KPL Local History Librarian Ryan Gage invites everyone to Step Back in History!

Join us October 7 at Central Library during Art Hop for an immersive experience in observance of KPL’s 150th anniversary. Walk through a life-size exhibit of #historicphotos of library buildings,…

Recorded 09/08/2022

Categories: Entertainment; Family; Information; Kalamazoo History

Tags: Kalamazoo Public Library History; Local History

Kalamazoo Public Library's Local History Minute! - The History Of Your Home

Curious about the history of your house? Do you know who inhabited your home before you? What did your home look like 50 years ago? Check out another Local History…

Recorded 07/22/2022

Categories: Information; Instructional; Kalamazoo History

Tags: Local History

A Brief History of Parkwyn Village – 75 Years of a Frank Lloyd Wright-Designed Cooperative Housing Community, 1947-2022

This illustrated presentation by Peter Copeland covers the origins and development of Parkwyn Village from 1947 to the present with particular emphasis on Parkwyn Village’s early challenges and the contributions…

Recorded 06/07/2022

Categories: Information; Kalamazoo History; Michigan History

Tags: Local History

Kalamazoo Public Library's Local History Minute! - The History of your Home

Curious about the history of your house? Do you know who lived in your residence prior to you? What did your home look like 50 years ago? Check out another…

Recorded 05/19/2022

Categories: Information; Instructional; Kalamazoo History

Tags: Local History

The Impact of Reading Together | Celebrating 20 Years

Watch Lisa Williams, Joan Hawxhurst, and Karen Trout as they reminisce about Reading Together’s impact in Kalamazoo County over the last 20 years. Building relationships. Nurturing intellectual discourse. Creating shared…

Recorded 03/10/2022

Categories: Authors @ KPL; Entertainment; Family; Information; Kalamazoo History

Tags: reading together

Celebrating 20 Years - The Origins of KPL's Reading Together Program

As part of our 20th-anniversary celebration, we have gone back and revisited the beginning of the Reading Together program. Enjoy this little trip down memory lane with two of its…

Recorded 03/10/2022

Categories: Entertainment; Family; Information; Kalamazoo History

Tags: reading together

Kalamazoo County and the Civil War

Local author Gary L. Gibson shares his thoughtful presentation about what was happening in Kalamazoo County during the Civil War years. Mr. Gibson discusses social and political aspects of the…

Recorded 12/02/2021

Categories: Entertainment; Family; Information; Instructional; Kalamazoo History

Tags: Civil War; Local History

Kalamazoo Public Library's Local History Minute!

KPL’s Local History Minute! is a new videos series that features noteworthy collection titles, local history materials, and helpful research services. Watch and keep up to date with KPL’s Local…

Recorded 10/29/2021

Categories: Entertainment; Family; Information; Kalamazoo History; Michigan History

Tags: Local History

OHOW: What Style Is It? (Gothic Revival)

OHOW (Old House Owners Workshop) is a program of the City of Kalamazoo’s Historic Preservation Commission. OHOW seeks to create educational programs that help old house owners understand their buildings—how and when…

Recorded 02/11/2021

Categories: Entertainment; Family; Information; Instructional; Kalamazoo History

Tags: architecture; history; kalamazoo; Preservation

OHOW: What Style Is It? (Greek Revival)

OHOW (Old House Owners Workshop) is a program of the City of Kalamazoo’s Historic Preservation Commission. OHOW seeks to create educational programs that help old house owners understand their buildings—how and when…

Recorded 01/15/2021

Categories: Information; Instructional; Kalamazoo History

Tags: architecture; culture; How to

Preservation on the Frontline - Track 4 Adaptive Reuse is Alive and Well in Downtown Kalamazoo

Shared with permission from The Historic Preservation Commission. Adaptive reuse projects are among the most exciting in the preservation field, and tonight we see three Kalamazoo successes. Tour the Renaissance-inspired1926…

Recorded 09/19/2020

Categories: Kalamazoo History; Michigan History

Tags: architecture; history; kalamazoo; michigan

Art Deco in Kalamazoo

The Art Deco and later, Streamline Moderne styles that were popular during the 1920s and 1930s, influenced the design of just about everything including fashion, furniture, household goods and primarily…

Recorded 01/28/2020

Categories: Kalamazoo History

Tags: architecture; history; kalamazoo

John E. Fetzer and the Quest for the New Age

The author of John E. Fetzer and the Quest for the New Age, Brian C. Wilson PhD. presents the remarkable story of lifetime Michigan resident, radio and TV pioneer, and…

Recorded 09/12/2019

Categories: Authors @ KPL; Kalamazoo History; Michigan History

Tags: culture; history; kalamazoo; michigan

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Notable Figures in Kalamazoo Area History with Dianna Higgs Stampfler

Notable Figures in Kalamazoo Area History with Dianna Higgs Stampfler

KPL 150th Anniversary - 150 Years of Providing Access to Information

A History of the Washington Square Branch Library - With Keith Howard

Eastwood Branch's 113th Anniversary Celebration - Celebrating Kalamazoo's Eastside

Black History In Kalamazoo

Presented by Lynn Houghton

A History of the Oshtemo Branch Library Presented by Keith Howard

KPL Local History Librarian Ryan Gage invites everyone to Step Back in History!

Kalamazoo Public Library's Local History Minute! - The History Of Your Home

A Brief History of Parkwyn Village – 75 Years of a Frank Lloyd Wright-Designed Cooperative Housing Community, 1947-2022

Kalamazoo Public Library's Local History Minute! - The History of your Home

The Impact of Reading Together | Celebrating 20 Years

Celebrating 20 Years - The Origins of KPL's Reading Together Program

Kalamazoo County and the Civil War

Kalamazoo Public Library's Local History Minute!

OHOW: What Style Is It? (Gothic Revival)

OHOW: What Style Is It? (Greek Revival)

Preservation on the Frontline - Track 4 Adaptive Reuse is Alive and Well in Downtown Kalamazoo

Art Deco in Kalamazoo

John E. Fetzer and the Quest for the New Age