American postcards were created as an easier way to send quick notes and were printed only by the U.S. Postal Service, until May, 1898. The first postcards were called "private mailing cards" and cost one penny to send. The sender's message was written over the image itself because writing was not permitted by law on the address side. The first souvenir postcard was created in 1893 to advertise the World's Fair in Chicago. Postcards are now one of the most collected items, along with coins and postage stamps.

Mike Van Ark began collecting in the 1970s, by adding to his mother's collection. After attending shows in Michigan and Chicago, Mike's collection soon reached 5,000 cards. Within recent years, Mike sold his collection of South Haven, Grand Haven, Saugatuck/Douglas, New Richmond, Fennville, Allegan, and Hamilton images.

Mike's collection, featured in this exhibition, begins in the year 1900 and includes images of the city of Holland, around the north and south side of Lake Macatawa (Black Lake), and the Lakeshore.

Runs January 27-August 5, 2012