Spirit of ’76: The Bicentennial in Saugatuck and Beyond

Presented by Eric Gollannek on Tuesday, 7 July 2026 at 10 AM at the History Center in Douglas, MI This presentation explores commemorative celebrations in Saugatuck, Michigan, focusing on how civic festivals have helped shape community identity from the nineteenth century to the present. Beginning with the recent Fourth of July celebrations and America's 250th anniversary, the speaker traces earlier observances including the national Centennial of 1876, Saugatuck's 1930 Centennial Homecoming, the Village Centennial of 1968, and the U.S. Bicentennial of 1976. The talk argues that while celebrations evolve, their essential elements remain remarkably consistent: parades, speeches, music, athletic contests, water events, fireworks, community organizations, and historical reflection. These events strengthened civic pride, attracted former residents home, and reinforced a shared sense of place. Special attention is given to the 1930 Homecoming, organized largely by local women, especially Mae Francis Heath, whose book Early Memories of Saugatuck preserved firsthand accounts of the area's pioneer history. The presentation also examines changing historical perspectives, including the discovery of Indigenous burials beneath Village Hall during renovations, the 1930 dedication of a memorial to the burial ground, and the eventual repatriation of Anishinaabe ancestors under federal law. The 1968 Village Centennial and 1976 Bicentennial highlighted the contributions of Kit Lane, Nat Steinberg, and numerous volunteers who documented local history, organized celebrations, established the Saugatuck Historical Museum, and helped create lasting landmarks such as the Wicks Park bandstand. The presentation concludes by emphasizing that today's understanding of local history depends heavily on the efforts of community historians, volunteers, archives, and preserved memorabilia, which continue to connect present-day residents with nearly two centuries of Saugatuck's civic traditions. Names mentioned in the presentation include William Butler, Kit Lane, Mae Francis Heath, John Trumbull, John Lewis Krimmel​, Nat Steinberg, James Sheridan, Frank Wicks, Johnson Fox, and Burr Tilstrom. Locations include Morrison's Grove, Wicks Park, and Anchor Park. Dr. Eric Gollannek is Executive Director of the SDHC and holds a PhD in Art History from the University of Delaware. He has presented on topics on art history, historic preservation, Great Lakes history, and collective memory. The mission of the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center (SDHC) - https://www.mySDhistory.org - is to preserve local history and inspire learning to inform and improve our community. We were founded as the S-D Historical Society in 1986. Today, we are a volunteer-run organization 700+ members strong that saves and shares the stories of the greater Saugatuck-Douglas area. This activity is supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. The SDHC also receives support from the Allegan County Community Foundation Legacy Grant program. Most of all, we rely on members for all we do; join us today at https://mysdhistory.org/join/