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Home > Faculty Exhibits > Boat Builders of Holland

Boat Builders of Holland
From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland features the men and women who produced watercraft with creativity, skillful hands, financial resources, and by working together. It also illustrates the area’s rich and long history of successful companies, both large and small, which produced sailing ships, pleasure boats, working boats, and military craft. Companies succeeded by working together toward a common goal, maintaining spiritual practices, and commitment to family.

The story behind the success of watercraft building in the area, be it sailing ships, rowing skiffs, gas powered launches, military craft, sailing yachts, or fast powerboats, starts with the people who created each and every design. From the very beginning, in 1836, the need for a Great Lakes ship to move locally made products out of the area and to cash paying consumers around Lake Michigan gave local craftsman a reason to build sailing ships hewn from locally grown timber. At the same time, builders of small pleasure craft began to market their products to local resort owners so that their guests could enjoy the nearby lakes. At the beginning of the 20th century, local craftsman constructed pleasure craft with marine engines to give passengers a less strenuous day on the lake. Many local craftsmen, eager to become successful entrepreneurs, created pleasure, military and work vessels from wood, steel, concrete, aluminum, and fiberglass. Most eventually failed because of death, disease, and disintegration of family, or debt in changing economic times.

Much like the history of industry around the nation, as boat craftsmen in small shops competed with larger firms, they lost a share of the market, which reduced hundreds of small companies to just a few conglomerates today. Their personal stories demonstrate how difficult it was to be successful for long periods of time, especially when faced with fluctuating economic cycles and lack of financial resources. Hopefully, the stories of their innovation, struggles, and achievements will provide Hollanders with an understanding of one of our earliest local industries, and a sense of the industrious spirit which helped create our community.
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  • Betty Love Oral History by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    Betty Love Oral History

  • Chris Smith Oral History by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    Chris Smith Oral History

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Acknowledgements) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Acknowledgements)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Audio Tour Information) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Audio Tour Information)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Audio Tour Information and Touch and Feel Sign) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Audio Tour Information and Touch and Feel Sign)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Beacon Boat Company 1953-1960) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Beacon Boat Company 1953-1960)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Birth of a Boat) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Birth of a Boat)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Boat in Center View A) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Boat in Center View A)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Boat in Center View B) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Boat in Center View B)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Boat in Center View C) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Boat in Center View C)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Boat in Center View D) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Boat in Center View D)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Boat in Center View E) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Boat in Center View E)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Campbell Boat Company 1937-1953) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Campbell Boat Company 1937-1953)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Center View A) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Center View A)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Center View B) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Center View B)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Center View C) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Center View C)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Center View D) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Center View D)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Center View E) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Center View E)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Center View F) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Center View F)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Center View G) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Center View G)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Center View H) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Center View H)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Chris Craft 20 Years) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Chris Craft 20 Years)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Chris Craft Corporation 1939-1989 Picture 1) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Chris Craft Corporation 1939-1989 Picture 1)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Chris Craft Corporation 1939-1989 Picture 2) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Chris Craft Corporation 1939-1989 Picture 2)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Close-Up of Factory Photo Hanging in Center) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Close-Up of Factory Photo Hanging in Center)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Collected Boat Parts) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Collected Boat Parts)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Collected Flags) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Collected Flags)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Collected Items) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Collected Items)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Construction Materials) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Construction Materials)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Curator Sign) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Curator Sign)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Entrance: View A) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Entrance: View A)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Entrance: View B) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Entrance: View B)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Entrance: View C) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Entrance: View C)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Entrance: View D) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Entrance: View D)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Entrance: View E) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Entrance: View E)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Exit View A) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Exit View A)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Exit View B) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Exit View B)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Exit View C) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Exit View C)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Exit View D) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Exit View D)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Factory Photo Close-Up) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Factory Photo Close-Up)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Family & Relationships) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Family & Relationships)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (First Hall from Entrance) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (First Hall from Entrance)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (First Hall View A) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (First Hall View A)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (First Hall View B) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (First Hall View B)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Fourth Hall View A) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Fourth Hall View A)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Fourth Hall View B) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Fourth Hall View B)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Fourth Hall View C) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Fourth Hall View C)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Fourth Hall View D) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Fourth Hall View D)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Fourth Hall View E) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Fourth Hall View E)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Fourth Hall View F) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Fourth Hall View F)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (General History of Industry) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (General History of Industry)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Holland c. 1850) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Holland c. 1850)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Holland's Location) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Holland's Location)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Industrialization) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Industrialization)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Jesick Brothers Shipyard 1912-1973) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Jesick Brothers Shipyard 1912-1973)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Mac Bay Boat Company 1948-1960) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Mac Bay Boat Company 1948-1960)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Model Ship and Photo in Second Hall) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Model Ship and Photo in Second Hall)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Poll Manufacturing 1954-1960) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Poll Manufacturing 1954-1960)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Poll Manufacturing Hull Models) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Poll Manufacturing Hull Models)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Protective Suit) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Protective Suit)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Second Hall from Entrance) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Second Hall from Entrance)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Second Hall View A) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Second Hall View A)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Second Hall View B) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Second Hall View B)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Second Hall View C) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Second Hall View C)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Second Hall View D) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Second Hall View D)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Second Hall View E, Towards Center) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Second Hall View E, Towards Center)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Second Hall View F, Towards Center) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Second Hall View F, Towards Center)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Second Hall View G Towards Center) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Second Hall View G Towards Center)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Shipyards 1837-1880) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Shipyards 1837-1880)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Skipper-Craft Boats 1952-1960 & Eddy Company 1960-1966) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Skipper-Craft Boats 1952-1960 & Eddy Company 1960-1966)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Small Craft Shops 1880-1960) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Small Craft Shops 1880-1960)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Small Enterprises Mid-Century) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Small Enterprises Mid-Century)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (The Future) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (The Future)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Third Hall View A Looking towards Second Hall) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Third Hall View A Looking towards Second Hall)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Third Hall View B) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Third Hall View B)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Third Hall View C) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Third Hall View C)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Third Hall View D Towards Center) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Third Hall View D Towards Center)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Third Hall View E Towards Center) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Third Hall View E Towards Center)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Third Hall View F) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Third Hall View F)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Tools and Work Desk in Corner of Second and Third Hall View A) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Tools and Work Desk in Corner of Second and Third Hall View A)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Tools and Work Desk in Corner of Second and Third Hall View B) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Tools and Work Desk in Corner of Second and Third Hall View B)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Tools and Work Desk in Corner of Second and Third Hall View C) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Tools and Work Desk in Corner of Second and Third Hall View C)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Tools and Work Desk in Corner of Second and Third Hall View D) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Tools and Work Desk in Corner of Second and Third Hall View D)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Tools and Work Desk in Corner of Second and Third Hall View E) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Tools and Work Desk in Corner of Second and Third Hall View E)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Tools and Work Desk in Corner of Second and Third Hall View F) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Tools and Work Desk in Corner of Second and Third Hall View F)

  • From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Welcome Sign) by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    From Craft to Industry: The Boat Builders of Holland (Welcome Sign)

  • Harriet Sult Oral History by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    Harriet Sult Oral History

  • Jason Petroelje Oral History by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    Jason Petroelje Oral History

  • Leon Slikkers Oral History by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    Leon Slikkers Oral History

  • Merle Cook Oral History by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    Merle Cook Oral History

  • William Jacobs Oral History by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    William Jacobs Oral History

  • William Parker Oral History by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    William Parker Oral History

  • Yvonne Love Oral History by Geoffrey D. Reynolds

    Yvonne Love Oral History

 
 
 

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