Idlewild, MI

The Lewis family vacationed in Idlewild, Michigan during the summers of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. Idlewild was popular among other prominent and affluent Black Americans like W.E.B. DuBois and Madame C.J. Walker who eventually purchased property there. Idlewild, Michigan’s Black Eden, was one of the few resorts at the time that catered to Black visitors. It was a place for Black Americans to safely enjoy relaxation, recreation, and community. The Lewises spent their time in Idlewild swimming, dancing, hiking, and having dinners and parties in the cottages. While Julian was there in 1922, he went fishing. Eva found the cottage she stayed in with the children in 1934 cozy enough to sleep on its porch.

“...when Idlewild was first established in 1912, it was only the third resort in America catering to Black visitors. Segregation was still in full effect at the time, and safe recreational options for Black families were extremely limited. Idlewild was founded by a group of white developers, some from Michigan and some from Chicago, who saw an opportunity in what Stephens describes as "an era of upward mobility, a growing Black middle class with education and some disposable income." Patrick Dunn

"Michigan's 'Black Eden': A short history of Idlewild", Patrick Dunn, Second Wave Media, Oct. 10, 2020.

Page one of the letter from Julian to Eva during his time in Idlewild in 1922. He writes about his first impressions, the folks there wanting to have fun, having parties and dinners, and going fishing.
Letter from Julian to Eva, Idlewild, 1922

Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 6, Folder 1], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Page 1
Page two of the letter from Julian to Eva during his time in Idlewild in 1922. He writes about the coarse gravel road, going to Baldwin, and not wanting to buy land there because they would not stay long enough.
Letter from Julian to Eva, Idlewild, 1922

Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 6, Folder 1], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Page 2
Page three of the letter from Julian to Eva during his time in Idlewild in 1922. He discusses buying a pair of fishing shoes in Grand Rapids and he lists the people he knows who are there.
Letter from Julian to Eva, Idlewild, 1922

Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 6, Folder 1], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Page 3
Page four of the letter from Julian to Eva. He writes about wishing Eva and the children were there and says he is having the time of his life.
Letter from Julian to Eva, Idlewild, 1922

Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 6, Folder 1], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Page 4

“I must say I am enjoying myself very much. I was disappointed when I first arrived. It looked so dismal and crude and wild. But everyone has the spirit of having a good time so that is really what makes it enjoyable. Most of the people are from Chicago and Detroit comes next… P.S. Eva we are having the time of our lives. Just like the white folks!”

- Julian H. Lewis, MD, PhD, Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 6, Folder 1], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Page one of Eva's letter to Julian. She describes Idlewild as cozy and says she and the children are comfortable. She slept on the porch the night before, and Mr. Brown put up a radio for her.
Letter from Eva to Julian, Idlewild, 1934

Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 7, Folder 29], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Page 1
Page two of the letter from Eva to Julian. She says Sarah scrubbed the porch and Eva says she could sleep on the porch the rest of her life. She says she will be well enough in September to enjoy Idlewild with Julian.
Letter from Eva to Julian, Idlewild, 1934

Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 7, Folder 29], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Page 2
Page three of the letter from Eva to Julian. She says the children are lonesome because they are used to someone being with them all the time. She said they will have a good time as soon as the swimming season is open. She says the electric service is not on yet.
Letter from Eva to Julian, Idlewild, 1934

Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 7, Folder 29], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Page 3
Page four of the letter from Eva to Julian. She says she wishes Julian was with her. She said she will make the most of the time there to get well because it feels like the first real break she has had since getting sick. Eva says Sarah is doing very well, cooks nicely, but she is ready to go home. She hopes Julian can visit in July and buy some supplies with Eva's allowance.
Letter from Eva to Julian, Idlewild, 1934

Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 7, Folder 29], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Page 4

The atmosphere of this cozy little place changed when you left, tho we are quite comfortable… I slept on the porch last night… I would just love to fix up this place—it is a cozy little cottage. I could sleep on this porch the rest of my life.

- Eva Overton Lewis, Lewis, Eva Overton and Julian Herman Lewis, MD, PhD Collection, [Box 7, Folder 29], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library