By preserving and sharing stories and materials, the Bentley helps today’s students, scholars, and citizens draw strength and insight from the past. Our collections remind us that history’s challenges still speak to us—and that the solutions of tomorrow are often inspired by the lessons of yesterday.
The Solutions of Tomorrow, Inspired by the Past
What we preserve at the Bentley Historical Library does more than document history, it shapes how we understand ourselves today. The struggles and triumphs captured in our collections continue to reverberate in the present, reminding us that the past is not behind us, but woven into the fabric of our shared future. Michigan’s history matters now more than ever.
Bentley Historical Library
Our Campaign Pillars
Creating Access to Michigan’s Stories and Voices
From the Big House to the capitol, from academic milestones to grassroots activism, the Bentley helps safeguard Michigan history and ensure that these materials are preserved and accessible.
Connecting and Representing Communities
The Bentley is dedicated to partnering with communities, strengthening their connection to the records that define and preserve their histories.
Equipping and Inspiring the Next Generation
Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders in archives, history, and culture. The Bentley seeks to offer the experiences and opportunities students need to thrive.
Illuminating the Observatory
The Judy and Stanley Frankel Detroit Observatory is a living classroom of science and history. Firmly establishing its directorship will help steward it into the future.