The mahogany dining room suite, composed of the table with four extension leaves, six side chairs, an armchair, the small serving table, the linen press, and the hutch with a glass front, was acquired by the museum in 2005.  The backsplash of the linen press bears the logo of Michigan Limestone & Chemical.  It is believed that the set was built for Michigan Limestone by John A. Colby and Sons of Chicago.  The owner of the suite believed that her grandfather, Leo Greka, had purchased it from Mrs. Bradley when she left Rogers City in 1928.  For many years, the suite had been used in the Greka home on 1^st Street, adjacent to the bar Mr. Greka owned.  Few people seem to have noticed the Michigan Limestone logo, or known that the furniture had been built for the plant.

            While the furniture definitely has an interesting history, further investigation seems to suggest, however, that it was never owned by the Bradley’s, nor used in this house.  Photos taken when the Bradley’s lived in the house, show a style of furniture very different than this dining room set.  Their furniture, including their dining room table and chairs were much lighter in construction, with turned, spindle legs.

            In 1925, which is about the time this furniture was built, Michigan Limestone was putting a large addition on their office building at Calcite.  The addition was to house the plant’s chemistry lab and a new dining room.  Photos of the dining room in use at that time show what appears to be plain oak furniture that was well worn.  It had probably been in use by office personnel at Calcite from the time the plant began production in 1912.  It seems quite logical that Michigan Lime would have purchased new dining room furniture for use in their new dining room. 

            Unfortunately, a fire started in the new addition before it was quite complete, destroying, not just the addition, but the entire office building.   With no further need for the furniture, it could have been sold around the time of the fire.  It’s also possible that it was purchased by one of the managers at Calcite for use in his home.

            The granddaughter of the man who ultimately purchased the suite, thinks her grandfather purchased it from someone whose name began with “W,” who lived on Lake Street.  The only person who fits that bill was George Wing who served in a variety of capacities at Calcite . . . and who lived on Lake Street for many years.  Wing could have used the dining room suite in his own home, or, if Calcite had merely stored it after the office burned, he could have been asked at some point to sell it.

            Regardless, it’s a unique dining room suite, and one that seems well suited to use in the Bradley House.

            The glass-fronted hutch holds some of the better china owned by the museum.  Quite a number of the pieces were owned by the Larke family, including the red-patterned pieces on the lower shelf.  They were reportedly acquired from “the Ford family.”  The numerous Wedgwood pieces in the “Farm” pattern reportedly belonged to the Bradley’s.  When Mrs. Bradley left Rogers City, the dishes were acquired by Nina Ferdelman.  Mrs. Ferdelman’s husband Otto had worked for Mr. Bradley at Calcite.  The museum acquired the pieces on exhibit after Mrs. Ferdelman’s death.

            The glass-fronted bookcase along the west wall holds photos and other objects that have recently been donated to the museum.  Things in this case change frequently.

            The heavy marble clock on the fireplace mantel belonged to Paul H. Hoeft, and was donated to the museum by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Whiteley.  Harry Whiteley is Mr. Hoeft’s grandson.

            The mannequin is outfitted in one of the “Calcite gray” uniforms worn by the maids who were employed by residents of the Bradley house.  According to the late Beth Monroe, two maids were reportedly on staff during the tenure of the Bradley’s, while Elna Heward says there was only one maid on staff during the residency of Mr. and Mrs. Clymer.