Hope in Holland in Ottawa County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Van Vleck Hall

Photographed by Kathy Garman, June 4, 2021

1. Van Vleck Hall Marker, Side 1

Inscription. Van Vleck Hall Side 1: This building was named for the Reverend John Van Vleck, principal of the Holland Academy from 1855 to 1859. After the Reverend Albertus C. Van Raalte raised the necessary funds for the building, Van Vleck designed and supervised its construction. Completed in 1858, Van Vleck Hall initially contained dormitory, class, and reading rooms, as well as a refectory, a chapel, and the residence of the principal. It was a focal point for activity at the Holland Academy, which was chartered as Hope College in 1866. Van Vleck Hall Side 2: Van Vleck Hall has played a vital role in the history of Hope College. The building survived the great fire of 1871 and housed students and the library in the late nineteenth century. During both World Wars, it served as a dispensary and infirmary for student military training programs. Erected at the highest point on campus, this symmetrical building stands as a tribute to the educational ideals held by those Dutch-Americans who founded Hope College.

Erected 2019 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L0464.)

Topics and series.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 42° 47.272′ N, 86° 6.134′ W. Marker is in Holland, Michigan, in Ottawa County. It is in Hope. It can be reached from East 10th Street 0.1 miles east of College Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Van Vleck Hall is behind Durfee Hall and Lubbers Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 E 10th St, Holland MI 49423, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Michigan,

specifically in Greater Grand Rapids,

and in one of the Lake Michigan Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hope College (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct

Van Vleck Hall Marker, Side 2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Garman, June 4, 2021

2. Van Vleck Hall Marker, Side 2

line); Western Theological Seminary (about 700 feet away); Ninth Street Christian Reformed Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Holland City Hall and Firehouse No. 2 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Knickerbocker Theater (approx. 0.2 miles away); Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church (approx. ¼ mile away); The Netherlands Museum (approx. ¼ mile away); Outpost (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Holland.

Van Vleck Hall, West Entrance, and Historical Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Garman, June 4, 2021

3. Van Vleck Hall, West Entrance, and Historical Marker

Van Vleck Hall, East Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kathy Garman, June 4, 2021

4. Van Vleck Hall, East Entrance

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2021, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. This page has been viewed 795 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 16, 2021, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.