Grace A. Dow
Encyclopedia
Grace A. Dow was an American
philanthropist
who is best known as the wife of Herbert H. Dow, and mother of architect Alden B. Dow
.
. Grace and Herbert raised seven children, and lived her entire married life in Midland.
In April 1941, she donated ten acres (later increased to 40 acres) of property to become the site of Midland Hospital (now MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland). Relatives recalled her joy in making the gift, which was adjacent to the Dow family orchards, as she joked, "If nothing else, they can sit there and eat apples while they have to be in the hospital."
Throughout her life Grace Dow frequently contributed to projects in the Midland community personally as well as through the activities of the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation. She personally donated ecumenically to local church construction projects; including the donation of an Italian marble alter for St. Bridget's Catholic Church; supported missionary work at home and abroad, which included serving a number of years as president of the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Society, and provided help to those in need.
Grace Dow was an active member of several civic organizations including a women’s study club, the Monday Club for which she served two presidencies; co-founder of the Daughters of the American Revolution, for which she was the first Regent and served a 3-year term on the state board; and served fifty years on the Midland library board. In the 1950s she was involved in the planning and funding through the Foundation of a new library building, which was designed by her son, architect Alden. Grace died before construction began and the library was named the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
in her memory.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
who is best known as the wife of Herbert H. Dow, and mother of architect Alden B. Dow
Alden B. Dow
Alden B. Dow was an American architect; he was the son of Herbert Henry Dow and Grace A. Dow. Dow is known for his prolific architectural design. His personal house in Midland, the Midland Center for the Arts, as well as the current building for the Grace A...
.
Personal
Dow was born as Grace A. Ball in 1869 to schoolteacher Arnelia Ball and George Willard Ball, a banker. In 1892, she married Herbert H. Dow in Midland, MichiganMidland, Michigan
Midland is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan in the Tri-Cities region of the state. It is the county seat of Midland County. The city's population was 41,863 as of the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Midland Micropolitan Statistical Area....
. Grace and Herbert raised seven children, and lived her entire married life in Midland.
Philanthropy
After her husband's death, Grace Dow founded The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation in his memory. She served as a trustee of the Foundation until her death. The Foundation is dedicated to funding religion, education, culture, science, and community life in Michigan.In April 1941, she donated ten acres (later increased to 40 acres) of property to become the site of Midland Hospital (now MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland). Relatives recalled her joy in making the gift, which was adjacent to the Dow family orchards, as she joked, "If nothing else, they can sit there and eat apples while they have to be in the hospital."
Throughout her life Grace Dow frequently contributed to projects in the Midland community personally as well as through the activities of the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation. She personally donated ecumenically to local church construction projects; including the donation of an Italian marble alter for St. Bridget's Catholic Church; supported missionary work at home and abroad, which included serving a number of years as president of the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Society, and provided help to those in need.
Grace Dow was an active member of several civic organizations including a women’s study club, the Monday Club for which she served two presidencies; co-founder of the Daughters of the American Revolution, for which she was the first Regent and served a 3-year term on the state board; and served fifty years on the Midland library board. In the 1950s she was involved in the planning and funding through the Foundation of a new library building, which was designed by her son, architect Alden. Grace died before construction began and the library was named the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
The Grace A. Dow Memorial Library is a public library located at 1710 W St Andrews in Midland, Michigan, U.S.A. The library serves Midland County, and is named after the wife of Herbert Henry Dow , Grace A. Dow. The building is adjacent to both the Midland Center for the Arts and Dow Gardens...
in her memory.