Michigan Historical & Archival Collections
Bentley Historical Library (University of Michigan)
The Bentley Historical Library houses the Michigan Historical Collections, which document the history of the state of Michigan and the activities of its people and organizations. Its rich collections draw university students, Michigan citizens, and scholars from all over the world. Situated on the North Campus of the University of Michigan, it constitutes one of the primary historical research facilities at the university and in the state of Michigan.
Clarke Historical Library (Central Michigan University)
The Clarke Historical Library was founded in 1954 through a gift from Dr. Norman E. Clarke, Sr. to his alma mater. Dr. Clarke was a book collector of unusual insight and breadth. His collection was created, in his own words, to "portray the lives, the thoughts, and the culture of the pioneer people to whom we owe so much."
The institution bearing Dr. Clarke's name has become one of Michigan's leading research libraries. The material found in the library honors the spirit of Dr. Clarke's initial charge, his subsequent interests, and the ongoing needs of the CMU community. The library today seeks to document the history of Michigan and the Old Northwest Territory, published works that shape the minds of young children, including both educational texts and children's fiction, the history of Central Michigan University.
The Michigan Archival Association (MAA) was founded in 1958 as an informal group by special collections librarians, university archivists, state records administrators, and historical society members who were meeting at the first statewide Local History Conference. From these humble beginnings, the Michigan Archival Association has evolved into the primary organization devoted to the archival community in Michigan. It is the nation's oldest state archival association and one of the largest regional organizations of its kind.
Michigan State University Archives
As part of this once primarily agricultural college, the University Archives and Historical Collections of Michigan State University acts as the memory of the institution through the preservation of and access to University records. In addition, the UAHC provides efficient management of the University's inactive records. Their goal is to support in every way the University's mission of teaching, research and public service.
The UAHC also collects and preserves materials of historical value not directly relating to University history. These materials comprise the Historical Collections and cover areas of local, regional, national and international interest, from the papers of Michigan politicians to the diaries of Civil War soldiers.
The State Archives houses manuscript collections documenting early and current associations and organizations, lumbering, logging, and forestry industries, fishing, mining and transportation, etc. There are also Michigan diaries and autobiographies, family histories, documents relating to the fur trade, the Civil War, etc. as well as the Michigan Newspaper Project.
Other important links at this site:
Michigan Collection (Library of Michigan)
The Michigan Collection includes materials about the state, its people and their history.
Michigan Library Special Collections Survey
Statewide survey conducted in 2004 of special collections in Michigan libraries.
The Map Collection at the Library of Michigan
Maps at the Library of Michigan: How to find, use guidelines, genealogical resources, and on-line resources.
Western Michigan University Archives
The Western Michigan University Archives and Regional History Collections consists of historical University, regional, and local governmental records. The holdings total over 17,000 linear feet, making the WMU Archives the largest facility of its type in southwestern Michigan and one of the largest in the state. Detailed finding aids exist for the manuscript collections. In addition to the manuscript collections, the unit has oral histories, census records, a research collection of books, magazines, and newspapers, and several large photographic collections.
