Beverly A. Tyria Memorial Nativity
Donation protected
The Beverly A. Tyria Memorial Nativity Scene is a replica of the vintage lifesize Nativity Scene that once graced Bronson Park in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is displayed each year at Christmastime and illuminated from dusk 'til dawn in loving memory of my late Grandmother, Beverly A. Tyria of Kalamazoo, Michigan (7/27/1937 - December 2, 2015).
(The Holy Family of the Beverly A. Tyria Memorial Nativity Scene as displayed in December 2016.)
In 2014, I had noticed how much people had missed the vintage Nativity in Bronson Park by way of a Facebook page called, "Vanished Kalamazoo." Grandma and I decided to do something about that and start collecting figures to the Bronner's Exclusive Lifesize Nativity Scene , the very same figures which had been displayed in the Park up until 1999, when the City of Kalamazoo auctioned it off to a private owner. She and I wanted to create a memorial to Kalamazoo's Christmas past, so I began collecting the figures.
Christmastime was very important to Beverly, and though she was sick in the hospital with cancer after Thanksgiving 2015, she insisted that I leave her bedside to go home and errect the Nativity, even if she could not be there to see it. So, that is exactly what I did. Unfortunately, she would not live to see the 2015 display.
A short time later, she was transferred to the Wings Home Hospice House in Allegan, MI. where she ultimately won her celestial reward on December 2, 2015. She went peacefully in her sleep.
(Beverly A. Tyria, June of 2015.)
That is when I decided that the Nativity should serve as not only a memorial to Kalamazoo's Christmas past, but also to Grandma. I have continued finding and collecting vintage figures identical to those that were in the Park since her passing.
In order to keep our original intention alive, every effort has been made to recapture the spirit of the display from Downtown Kalamazoo, if not copies of the actual figures, some of which are no longer made. The only other major difference is the more modern, vibrant color scheme.
As you can imagine, keeping a project of this magnitude going is a costly venture. Maintenance of the fiberglass figures are key, so this campaign is designed to be ongoing for any repair or refurbishing which might be needed as the years go by. Your participation would be greatly appreciated, and you'll be helping to keep alive both the memory of my late Grandmother, but also a slice of Kalamazoo history as well.
(The 3 Magi and Baby Jesus after having been refurbished by Bronner's Commercial Display in February 2017.)
All but three of the figures (2 of the sheep and the star) are produced exclusively by Bronner's Commercial Display in Frankenmuth, Michigan. The stable was designed by myself and built by Fr. James Richardson of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Kalamazoo.
The display is located at 1403 Olmstead Road, Kalamazoo, MI. 49048, which is on the corner of Olmstead Road and Market Street in Kalamazoo Township. It’s just a stone's throw from the Kalamazoo County Expo Center and Fairgrounds on Lake Street.
I certainly hope that you can stop by and see the display each Christmas Season.
(Me pictured with the 3 Magi and Baby Jesus after having been brought home from Frankenmuth, MI. in February 2017.)
Thank you!
JOE TYRIA
Founder of the Beverly A. Tyria Memoria Nativity Scene
Established in December 2015
(The Holy Family of the Beverly A. Tyria Memorial Nativity Scene as displayed in December 2016.)In 2014, I had noticed how much people had missed the vintage Nativity in Bronson Park by way of a Facebook page called, "Vanished Kalamazoo." Grandma and I decided to do something about that and start collecting figures to the Bronner's Exclusive Lifesize Nativity Scene , the very same figures which had been displayed in the Park up until 1999, when the City of Kalamazoo auctioned it off to a private owner. She and I wanted to create a memorial to Kalamazoo's Christmas past, so I began collecting the figures.
Christmastime was very important to Beverly, and though she was sick in the hospital with cancer after Thanksgiving 2015, she insisted that I leave her bedside to go home and errect the Nativity, even if she could not be there to see it. So, that is exactly what I did. Unfortunately, she would not live to see the 2015 display.
A short time later, she was transferred to the Wings Home Hospice House in Allegan, MI. where she ultimately won her celestial reward on December 2, 2015. She went peacefully in her sleep.
(Beverly A. Tyria, June of 2015.)That is when I decided that the Nativity should serve as not only a memorial to Kalamazoo's Christmas past, but also to Grandma. I have continued finding and collecting vintage figures identical to those that were in the Park since her passing.
In order to keep our original intention alive, every effort has been made to recapture the spirit of the display from Downtown Kalamazoo, if not copies of the actual figures, some of which are no longer made. The only other major difference is the more modern, vibrant color scheme.
As you can imagine, keeping a project of this magnitude going is a costly venture. Maintenance of the fiberglass figures are key, so this campaign is designed to be ongoing for any repair or refurbishing which might be needed as the years go by. Your participation would be greatly appreciated, and you'll be helping to keep alive both the memory of my late Grandmother, but also a slice of Kalamazoo history as well.
(The 3 Magi and Baby Jesus after having been refurbished by Bronner's Commercial Display in February 2017.)All but three of the figures (2 of the sheep and the star) are produced exclusively by Bronner's Commercial Display in Frankenmuth, Michigan. The stable was designed by myself and built by Fr. James Richardson of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Kalamazoo.
The display is located at 1403 Olmstead Road, Kalamazoo, MI. 49048, which is on the corner of Olmstead Road and Market Street in Kalamazoo Township. It’s just a stone's throw from the Kalamazoo County Expo Center and Fairgrounds on Lake Street.
I certainly hope that you can stop by and see the display each Christmas Season.
(Me pictured with the 3 Magi and Baby Jesus after having been brought home from Frankenmuth, MI. in February 2017.)Thank you!
JOE TYRIA
Founder of the Beverly A. Tyria Memoria Nativity Scene
Established in December 2015
Organizer
Joe Tyria
Organizer
Kalamazoo, MI
