Pella of West Michigan history

These Amsterdammers left a 600 year-old city of 200,000 inhabitants, with well established institutions, to settle in a country barely 70 years old and a state that had come into existence that very year, 1846.

Van Raalte's brief letter of January 1848 from Allegan, Michigan to Wormser reveals a growing sense of confidence that the Holland colony would survive.

In 1861 the father and son, with eight others, purchased Scholte's defunct Pella Gazette and launched the Dutch language newspaper, Pella's Weekblad.

1925 – Pete and Lucille Kuyper invest in the Rolscreen Company to manufacture Rolscreen® window screens that roll up and down like a shade.

1934 – The Rolscreen Company introduces Pella Venetian Blinds.

1937 – The first Pella window makes its debut: the deluxe casement window with a steel frame, wood interior, divided windowpanes, exterior wash feature and removable insulating glass panel.

1958 – Introduction of the first roomside removable wood grilles (windowpane dividers).

1964 – Pella invents the first double-hung window with a sash that pivots so exterior glass can be washed from inside the home.

1966 – Pella introduces Slimshade® blinds – the world's first window with blinds tucked between-the-glass.

1970 – The company introduces wood windows with low-maintenance aluminum-clad exteriors.

1985 – The first Pella Window Store opens, redefining how customers shop for windows and doors.

1990 – Pella Architect Series® wood windows and patio doors are introduced with patented Integral Light Technology® grilles that combine the realistic look of individual window panes with superior energy efficiency.

1993 – In our commitment to people, products and customers, Pella launches a companywide program to continuously improve its work processes and efficiencies.

1995 – Pella Precision Fit® pocket replacement windows install quickly and easily with little mess.

2000 – Pella creates the first casement window crank with a fold-away handle.

2002 – Pella debuts the sliding glass patio door with Rolscreen retractable screen.

2004 – Pella storm doors with Rolscreen retractable screens are introduced.

2005 – Pella's new Designer Series windows and patio doors feature exclusive snap-in between-the-glass window fashions that are easy to change.

2009 – Pella is the first to introduce a new high-altitude insulating glass option with argon.

2014 – Pella® 250 Series Vinyl Windows are introduced.

2016 – Pella introduces expansive Scenescape™ Patio Doors.

2018 – Pella revolutionizes single- and double-hung window screens with the patent-pending Integrated Rolscreen® retractable screen that seamlessly appears when you open the window and rolls out of sight when you close it, available on Pella Reserve - Traditional double-hung windows.

2020 – Pella introduces the patent-pending Easy-Slide Operator, a revolutionary way to operate casement and awning windows.