In this episode, I explore the history of Orville H. Gibson and the Gibson Guitar Company in Kalamazoo.

Source articles for this episode:

Orville H. Gibson - Kalamazoo History

Gibson Inc Article - Kalamazoo History

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit:

https://michaeldelaware.com

For tickets to the Murder & Mystery Tour at Oak Hill Cemetery on Thursday, October 8th, 2026 - Click here.

In this episode, I tell the story of 'Morning of Blood and Miracles' from my book 'Murder in Victorian Western Michigan'.

This story took place in 1889 in Vergennes Township, Kent County, Michigan.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit:

https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I explore the early history of the village and township of Ohstemo over in Kalamazoo County.

For the full article referred to in this episode, click here.

For information on Michael Delaware, visit:

https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the history of two philanthropists: Andrew Carnegie and Dolly Parton whose charitable work impacted libraries and early learning in Michigan.

For more information on the Imagination Library, visit:

https://imaginationlibrary.com/

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit:

https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore the life of Mary S. Coleman, the first woman elected to the Michigan Supreme Court, and the first woman to be selected to serve as Chief Justice. The Calhoun County Justice Center was recently re-dedicated in her honor, and today's show showcases some of the highlights from her amazing life.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit:

https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I explore the history of local celebrity green and yellow Amazon parrot named Polly from St. Joseph, Michigan. The story is a warm and happy one, with a little unexpected drama.

To subscribe to the Michigan History Magazine, visit:

https://www.hsmichigan.org/read/michigan-history

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit:

https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode, I cover the history of the first and second college World Series which were held in Kalamazoo. The source article was written by Paul M. Keep in the Summer 2006 issue of Chronicle Magazine by the Historical Society of Michigan.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit:

https://www.michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I explore life in rural schools in pioneer Michigan. I use a reference book from the Eaton County Historical Commission 'Rural Schools of Eaton County Michigan' for the source material.

I discuss rules and information published originally in 1864.

To get a copy of the book mentioned, visit:

https://eatoncountyhistory.org/

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit:

https://michaeldelaware.com

In this episode I relay some history of the Victorian Era circuses in Southwest Michigan with the Van Ambergh Menagerie, and also the origin story of Pink Lemonade.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit:

https://michaeldelaware.com

The Great Chicago Fire between October 8 - 10th, 1871 is the topic of this episode. During this same time fires in Holland and Manistee, Michigan destroyed those cities.

I explore the impact of those fires, the effects and reaction across Southwest Michigan following the event, as well as first hand accounts of the reporters.

For more information on Michael Delaware, visit:

https://michaeldelaware.com