Summer concerts wrap up with camaraderie, history

The performers in the Felt Estate Summer Concert Series took their bows on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, closing out another musical season that brings hundreds of people together at the historic mansion grounds in Laketown Township.

“My favorite aspect of the concerts is the ability to bring people together, whether that means meeting new neighbors, reconnecting with old friends, or building intergenerational memories that our children and grandchildren will cherish,” said Elizabeth McEwen, executive director of the Felt Estate.

“Averaging more than 400 attendees each week, we have found the Summer Concert Series to be a fantastic opportunity for our Laketown friends to engage with each other while enjoying free access to the buildings and the amazing history of this property,” she said.

Lighting Matches of Grand Rapids wrapped up the season on Thursday night.

A heavy downpour before the show challenged the band to keep dry as staff and volunteers used dozens of towels to soak up the overflow from the stage tent.

Lead singer Rachel White thanked everyone who helped during the deluge so the band could kick off as the sun came out.

“Someone up there likes us,” said McEwen as she introduced the Grand Rapids band that played alternative rock under the sunshine.

History

Free self-guided tours of the mansion, 6597 138^th Ave., were available during the shows that ran July 11 through Aug. 1.

Construction of the mansion began in 1925 by Dorr E. Felt, inventor of the Comptometer, an early adding machine. Felt’s wife Agnes died in 1928. Dorr died a year-and-a-half later.

After his death, the estate became a seminary for the Augustinian order then a state prison and Michigan State Police post before the property was purchased by Laketown Township.

The mansion has been restored and is a top wedding and event destination.

“I’ve personally had dozens of concertgoers stop me to tell me about their connections to the estate and to the Felt family,” McEwen said. “Community gatherings like these concerts create so many opportunities to dive into our shared history and to remind us that we, ultimately, are more alike than we are different.”

Meeting friends

Diane Bowman meets with her lifelong friend Sharlene Trombley at the concerts.

“We both grew up on the east side of the state and met and became good friends in grade school,” Bowman said. “Since we are each 78 now, it means we have been lucky enough to stay friends for almost 70 years. Although our lives have taken different paths, we have always kept in touch. I now live in Holland and she lives in Waterford so I was very happy she was able to drive over here for a few days visit.”

Concerts at the mansion began in May 2014 and were called the “Third Thursday Concert Series,” running the third Thursday from May through September.

Performers this season have been Zion Lion, The Schrock Bros and Bernadette Kathryn and the Lonely Days Band.