Mary Wark interview/Pump House tour

Oral History

Saugatuck Douglas Historical Society

Part one: Mary Wark interviewed by Marsha Kontio

Name/Title

Mary Wark interview/Pump House tour

Entry/Object ID

2024.41.257

Scope and Content

[synopsis needed] - [if you found this video informative, consider sending your summary of its content to the SDHC Archvies at [email protected].] Part one - 1992 Pump House tour, narrated, exterior and interior - 10 minutes Part two - Mary (Hans) Wark interview about Wark childhood, Scarlett Farm, Bank Holiday, Depression

Cataloged By

Winthers, Sally

Acquisition

Accession

2024.41

Acquisition Method

Found in Collection

Credit Line

To view this recording, scroll down to the bottom of this entry and click the blue web link. This video was created by Saugatuck-Douglas History Center volunteers or was donated to the Center in a good faith effort to preserve local history. If you feel this content should not be available to the public — or have additional information that will add context to this interview — please contact the SDHC Archives at [email protected].

Oral History Details

Interviewee

Wark, Mary (Hans) 1905-2000

Interviewer

Kontio, Marsha

Interview Date

Oct 9, 1992

Dimensions

Dimension Description

DVD version

Width

5 in

Depth

5 in

Location

Oral History DVD/CDs

AWS/VidArch SSD/DVD originals

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

735 Park/S-D History Museum/Shorey Cottage/Pump House

Web Links and URLs

https://sdhc-collections.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/videos/053-PumpHouse1992-MaryHansWark.mp4, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuFkZVem7qw

General Notes

Note

YouTube summary (generated by AI): Nov 3, 2025 SAUGATUCK Mary Hans Wark (1905-2000) was interviewed by Marsha Kontio on October 9, 1992. Mrs. Wark moved to Douglas in 1920 and lived with the Scarlett family for four years, working to pay for school in Saugatuck. After obtaining a teaching certificate, she taught in Douglas for seven years before marrying Edward and buying a farm during the Great Depression. She discusses family history and the Kirby building in Douglas, including personal experiences as a patient and visitor at the hospital. The conversation includes other buildings in Douglas: a drugstore, a liquor store, a filling station, the post office, the Douglas Hotel, and the basket factory. Mrs. Wark reminisces about grocery stores and shares memories of walking home from school, cutting through Mrs. Drought’s orchard, and encountering Aunt Lizzie’s Airedale dog. A collection of historical photographs evokes memories, including a costume party at Grandpa Wark’s house and the old harbor. Mrs. Wark recounts memories of teaching in Fenville, witnessing the pavilion fire in 1960, and caring for aging parents. They had a simple wedding during the Depression, officiated by Reverend Winter in Holland. She shares memories of her sister’s military service during World War II and subsequent teaching career in Grand Haven.

Create Date

March 23, 2025

Update Date

May 16, 2026