Politics and Political Activism

Bobby Kennedy and G. Mennen Williams
Robert Kennedy campaigning
G. Mennen Williams

The Bentley Historical Library holds the papers of many elected officials, political activists, and social crusaders., including many of Michigan's governors, U.S. Senators and members for Congress. Film and video in the collections ranges from raw footage of campaign events and official activities, to televised reports to constituents, 30-second campaign ads and professionally produced "film biographies", appearances on television programs and topical films produced for or collected by the individual. This selection of online video represents a sample of the sometimes extensive film and video material in an archival collection.


Henry Hitt Crane papers

Methodist clergyman, pastor of the Centre Methodist Church in Malden, Massachusetts, the Elm Park Methodist Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Central Methodist Church in Detroit, Michigan; active in various liberal, progressive and pacifist causes.


[85164-1] Henry Hitt Crane speech on pacifism and the Cold War  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:44:43,

Gov. Murray Delos van Wagoner

Construction engineer and Michigan Democratic politician; served terms as Oakland County Drain Commissioner, Michigan State Highway Commissioner, and as Governor, 1941-1942   [Collection Finding Aid]


[86176-120] "Ready on the Home Front Michigan", chiefly a talk by Van Wagoner  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:02:40, ca. 1942

Senator Phil Hart papers

U. S. Senator from Michigan, 1959-1976, a conscientious supporter of civil rights, consumer protection and environmentalism, Hart served as floor manager of the 1965 civil rights act and 1968 Open Housing Act, introduced legislation to create Sleeping Bear Dunes and Pictured Rock National Lakeshores and sponsored important consumer legislation.   [Collection Finding Aid}


[85193-36] Hart Film No. 36: Kennedy-Ives ";anti-racketeering bill"  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:02:03, 1958

[85193-94] Wildlife:Sleeping Bear Dunes  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:01:03,

[85193-129-1] Sleeping Bear Dunes Films  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:00:46,

[85193-129-2] Sleeping Bear Dunes Films  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:10:28,

[85193-129-3] Sleeping Bear Dunes Films  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:00:48,

[85193-129-4] Sleeping Bear Dunes Films  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:00:46,

[85193-129-5] Sleeping Bear Dunes Films  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:00:48,

[85193-129-6] Sleeping Bear Dunes Films  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:01:47,

[85193-129-7] Sleeping Bear Dunes Films  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:08:48,

[85193-129-8] Sleeping Bear Dunes Films  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:01:47,

[85193-129-9] Sleeping Bear Dunes Films  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:00:40,

[85193-129-10] Sleeping Bear Dunes Films  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:00:53,

[85193-129-11] Sleeping Bear Dunes Films  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:01:23,

[85193-129-12] Sleeping Bear Dunes Films  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:12:37,

[85193-129-13] Sleeping Bear Dunes Films  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:01:55,

George Romney papers

Governor of Michigan, 1962-1969, candidate for Republican 1968 presidential nomination. Videos include campaign films and Lou Gordon TV program on which Romney made the famous "brain-washing" comment about a trip to Vietnam   [Collection Findng Aid]


[852178_5-201] Romney countdown C-396  [view video]
  • Original: 2-inch videotape, b&w, sound, 00:29:02, Nov. 5, 1962

[852178_5-206] Romney announcement, Nov. 18, 1967 , from Vet. Memorial  [view video]
  • Original: 2-inch videotape, color, sound, 00:35:02, Nov. 18, 1967

[852178_5-208]Lou Gordon Hot Seat program  [view video]
  • Original: 2-inch videotape, b&w, sound, 00:31:46, 1968


[852178_5-2] "George Romney announcing his candidacy for governor" footage  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:11:01, Feb. 1, 1962

[852178_5-54] Inauguration ceremony and address  [view video]
  • Original: 16mm film, b/w, optical, 00:14:45, Jan. 1, 1963

G. Mennen Williams papers

Governor of Michigan 1949 to 1960, under-secretary of state for African Affairs from 1961 to 1965, and Michigan Supreme Court justice from 1970 to 1986. [Collection Finding Aid]


[86393-213] Kennedy Comes to Michigan  [view video]
  • Original: 2-inch videotape, b&w, sound, 00:29:35, Oct. 29, 1966