Susan Stebbins Stark collected antiques in the classic
sense—for their
beauty rather than their intrinsic story. The daughter of Cortland Bliss
Stebbins and his wife Eliza, Susan was born in the family home on North
Capitol Avenue in Lansing, Michigan. Her father was an owner of the Lansing
Wheelbarrow Company. In 1908, Susan married Byron Stark, the owner of a
pottery shop in Kalamazoo.
Susan’s father was church historian at Plymouth Congregational Church.
Perhaps it was through his interest in history that Susan developed her
appreciation of antiques. Susan collected throughout her life, and her
25-room house was filled with built-in shelves holding antiques.
Susan died in March
1937 at the age of 73. Her will directed the
executors of her estate to choose the museums to house her collections.
Recipient institutions included museums in Dearborn, Grand Rapids, Battle
Creek, Kalamazoo and Lansing. The Michigan Historical Museum is fortunate to
have received more than 1,400 objects, consisting mostly of china,
glassware, ceramics, silver, pewter and a paperweight collection.
See artifacts from the Stark Collection:
