Castle Blog

Welcome back to the Castle Cocktail Lounge! This summer we’ve packed our bags and are ready to head out of the city on an epic road trip–and out to some of our more rural watering holes and venues in celebration of our millage partnership with the local museums in Bridgeport, Chesaning, Frankenmuth and St. Charles. First stop…The Golden Glow Ballroom, circa 1971… Friends, Arlene Wegner, Dolores Gary and Marion Spindler, are all gussied up to see Nick and His Cornhuskers at T

“Mrs. Farwell and her family moved to Saginaw in 1943. She owned and operated the A&W Restaurant on Gratiot for many years. She loved her business and her customers, and it was her life. After her husband passed, she bought the franchise from her brother-in-law Howard Farwell and had a new A&W drive in built. She later sold that in 1975.” -From the obituary of Irene B. Farwell, The Saginaw News, January 8, 2004. The Saginaw News, March 5, 1958. By World War II, Saginaw had

“A large number of people have made a trip to Bliss Park and marveled at the wonderful peony bed on the far western side of the park. It is said that for quality, essence and largeness this is by far the most magnificent display of this flower ever known in this city. There are a number of individual beds featuring enmasse huge white, pink and other colored specimens that have attained great size through the years of scientific cultivation. It is the purpose of the Board of T

As the days warm to summer standards and the sun stays out later and later, here at the Castle Test Kitchen we can’t help but lean into those summer foods that we remember from our childhood—peanut butter (JIF, of course) and grape jelly sandwiches, Faygo Red Pop from the corner store (which tasted better after the bike ride there to get there), and of course, hot dogs. While hardly the stuff of gourmet meals, we have strong memories of good times connected with these foods a

As we were researching the life and accomplishments of Carrie Ives Saunders,* we stumbled across an advertisement for a cookbook she wrote and published: “Very Important The Ten Lessons in Household Economy issued by Mrs. Carrie Ives Saunders. There are cook books galore – recipes for cooking that were handed down by the celebrated Dr. Chase,** or our great grandmothers, and during their day they sufficed. At the present time, however, they are out of date – behind the times

As we continue our exploration of Carrie Ives Saunders* career, we have become captivated by descriptions of her presentations and cooking demonstrations. Perhaps, not surprisingly, some of her earliest programs were at Morley Brothers Store on North Washington Avenue. Saginaw Illustrated, exterior of Morley Brothers, circa 1888. An invitation in the December 14, 1894, newspaper announced: Morley Brothers Stove Display, circa 1900. “Grand Reception. The Model Steel Range Wil

“Mrs. Phil Saunders, of the west side, had for several months studied the baking powder question, and discovered a formula for a powder that is not only pure, but also efficient in it work.” -The [Saginaw] Evening News, June 21, 1892. Note- This piece continues our exploration of the work of Carrie Ives Saunders, a multi-talented Saginaw resident. She was born in New York state in 1854 and by the time she passed away in Saginaw in 1906, she had risen to prominence as a lect

“Mrs. Carrie Ives Saunders, one of the best known lecturers in America upon the domestic art and home culture, died at the woman’s hospital here [Saginaw] Tuesday following a serious operation.” -The Bay City Times Tribune, September 19, 1906. (Grand Rapids ) Evening Press, February 20, 1901. An outline of the story of Carrie Ives Saunders’ High Art Baking Powder is presented in the Castle Museum’s Made in Saginaw exhibit. However, the full breadth of Saunders’ work and ac

Saginaw Daily News, February 5, 1932. William Barie, about age 35. (Photo owned by Kevin Rooker) Opened in 1860 in East Saginaw, Barie’s Dry Goods Emporium represented the considerable business acumen of William Barie, who settled in Saginaw as a young man and spent the rest of his life serving the people of Saginaw with inexpensive, quality merchandise, innovative ideas, and memorable advertising. His legacy continued several years after his death—and while we could easily s