December 15th Third Saturday Program

Local historian and artist Kurt Thornton will present a program featuring some of his drawings at the Battle Creek Regional History Museum (BCRHM).

As a child, Thornton was inspired by his father, Junior Thornton, and his talent in art. As he became older, the subjects for many of his drawings were local sites, whose interest in them came from his mother’s (Frances), love for local history. She was a well-known local historian.

Thornton gives credit for his striking architectural renderings to his seventh grade art teacher, Jan Smith, who taught him basic perspective drawing.
“I have searched for Miss Smith for many years,” said Thornton, “I’ve wanted to thank her for the artistic gift she gave me.” His search for Smith has come to dead ends, because, “I only knew her maiden name ‘Smith’, and the Battle Creek Public School records are in boxes stored in the attic of Willard Library.”

Thornton’s illustrations have been featured by, the local Red Cross, the Historical Society of Battle Creek, the City of Battle Creek, the State of Michigan and many other organizations.

Along with other artwork, he has created a personal calendar, named ‘Kurt’s Calendar’ that has featured Battle Creek area themes for over thirty years. Those calendars and the history they contain, have earned him recognition with a Community Achievement Volunteer Leadership Award from the Michigan State Historical Department in 2005, along with being inducted to the Battle Creek Central High School’s Hall of Fame, and a local George Award. 

“Through my drawings, I try to point out some of the beautiful buildings we have in our community,” said Thornton, “I’ll be showing a wide variety of my Battle Creek drawings, along with artwork that will include ‘Santa Claus images’, Star Wars, Star Trek and more.”

He also enjoys learning and sharing information about our area’s history. He has written four visual imaged books featuring some of his mother’s vast collection of local photographs and post cards.

“Mom obtained some amazing pieces of Battle Creek’s history…sometimes just by being someone that people felt confident that there ‘piece of history’ would be preserved,” said Thornton, “she collected many ‘one-of-a-kind’ items that were connected to our community.”

Most of that vast collection has been donated to the BCRHM.
Thornton combines his passion for art and photographic history, by creating an annual Battle Creek Regional History Museum Calendar. He has taken images from the Thornton Archives and chosen some of the best to place in the calendars.

“This year, I am featuring local schools,” said Thornton, “I’m trying to really make this a regional history calendar. Along with Battle Creek, I also have photos from Homer, Lakeview, Marshal, and Camp Custer.”

The calendars can be purchased at the museum and the Happy House Gift Shop at 100 East Columbia Avenue.

Come join us at RHM Saturday, December 15, at 3:00 PM. There is no admission fee for the program, but donations are appreciated. The museum is located at 307 West Jackson Street, where light snacks will be served before and after the program.