By By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Part of Ella Champion's life will most certainly remain a mystery. Those details that make up one's personality. There's no record of her ever being married, no record of any children… There is a history of her – her importance within the city many would argue as undeniable. But not the details – those intimate characteristics, the likes and dislikes, the why and why nots. Only so much can be determined from historical pieces gathered here and there. Much of her, like many notable people in history, remains a bit of a mystery.
Yet part of her life is no mystery at all.
"She was an important part of our history," said Carol Bainbridge, director of the Fort St. Joseph Museum in Niles.
Champion was born in Niles in 1872 and died forty years ago in December of 1968. She was a teacher, teaching several grades throughout her career including drafting classes at Niles High School. She'd received a "Life Certificate" from what is now Western Michigan University. She held a Bachelors degree in Philosophy – with a concentration in botany, geology and nature study.
But – what could possibly be her most intimate nature studies of all – had been packed away in the Avon box for years. Until now.
Friday morning, the box was brought to Fort St. Joseph museum. In it – six hardbound journals in impressive condition – filled with detailed, hand painted pieces of Champion's work. Each of the 4 x 6 note cards is adorned with different flowers and plants – as Champion saw them. Inside each card is a detailed description – where it was seen, classifications, origins… Specifications that are left unanswered when it comes to Champion herself, in some respects.
Linda Namenye brought the box and the books to the museum. She did so, on behalf of her husband's cousin – Jane Namenye of Los Angeles, Calif. It was Jane who searched specifically for those books after the passing of her father just this March. They had belonged to her mother, Barbara Namenye – formerly Barbara Hatfield.
Champion had been a close family friend of the Hatfields – and the books were inscribed from her to Barbara Hatfield. Champion and Barbara "must have been friends," Linda said, adding that Barbara "must have been a young girl" when Champion would often make visits to their home.
After Barbara passed away, the books were put in a box and stored. It was her husband, John's passing that left their estate to be sorted and settled. That is when Jane Namenye went searching for Champion's books.
"Not only was she grieving the loss of her father," Linda said she now had to search through the pieces of her mother as well as the people who were a part of her parents life, as she sorted through the estate.
Linda Namenye said Jane was, "very specific on what kind of treasure these [books] were," and she asked for Linda's help in finding "someone who will appreciate them". After searching online for just the right location, Linda came to Bainbridge and the museum in Champion's hometown – not far from the park that's named after her.
"I was looking for a museum in Niles," Linda said. "Museums, you know, they really care about…history."
Linda's husband even suggested she ship the books back to Niles, what with the price of fuel and an approximate two hour commute between Linda's home in Spring Lake and the museum.
Instead Linda delivered them on behalf of Jane – personally.
Bainbridge had quite a bit of Champion's history already – but nothing too extensive. There's her report card, notes written in her own hand, drawings with a combination of needlework, photos and articles. But the books are different. The books are special.
Bainbridge says there's "not a very great deal" of information on Champion. "This is a very nice complement to everything." The collection, Linda added, will be a way to help people in "remembering what a powerful influence she was in the community."
"This to me," said Bainbridge. "It's a wonderful donation. To get such a complete collection like this – is unusual."
Champion's books now open doors for the museum to set up special exhibits, Bainbridge said – though that will take some time. Through the pieces, however, Champion's knowledge and passion for the science behind botany and nature – are clear. "She was clearly more than a teacher," said Bainbridge. The fact that Champion taught industrial arts was "unusual for a woman at that time. She was an early environmentalist."
Was Champion trying to record the nature around her – at a time when it was being overshadowed by industrialization and urban growth? "Niles at that time was really at its hey-day," Bainbridge explains – with the river powering various plants and the city experiencing growth. Or was she just passionate? Champion's paintings – 330 in all – span her lifetime – with entries as late as 1960 and come from sightings across the country. Those are questions still left to be answered.
As well as the question of how many treasures such as these lay hidden in attics and basements. "People are very quick to throw things away," she said. A find like this might help people in thinking twice about their history – and its worth.
"We grow up in our towns and we don't know our own history," said Bainbridge.
Now – there is a wealth to see of Ella Champion. 330 pieces in all. There is still much to learn about the woman behind the artwork. That journey isn't over.