Genealogy: research your family using our archival and photographic collections. We had a local woman who was doing genealogy research on the Fisher Family. We found several family photos in our collection and were able to make reproductions for her. " Building Research: find photos of your home or area building using our collection of 20,000+ photographs." Local History: research local business and events of the Tri-Cities area using the Museum's collections. Here is one research question we recently received:

My name is Jane and I stay in Cowdenbeath, Fife, Scotland, and I have found a really lovely large wooden propeller. It has part of a company name and address on a sticker. I have been searching the Internet, but cannot find it. I was hoping someone may be able to give me some information. The company logo is an eagle with its wings spread out and its head looking to the side. All I can see of the company name are the letters:

COMP G OD
PROPELLERS
CAMF-
GRAND HAVEN
MICHIGAN

The item you found was manufactured by Camfield Manufacturing Company of Grand Haven during World War II. The company specialized in wooden products for civilian use before and after the war, but during the period 1941-45 it had several government contracts to produce items used by the military, including airplane propellers and antenna masts. The other uncompleted word on the propeller was "Compregwood," a sturdy product of laminated wood that is compressed and impregnated with plastic. Compregwood was used in the manufacture of airplane propellers and other items exposed to great stress. Founded by Russell Camfield in 1937, the company went out of business around 1960.

If you would like to use any of these services, please contact:

Steven Radtke
-or-
Rick Jenkins

at 616-842-0700 to make an appointment.