Past Stories

A rare set of photographs captures the working life of two African American Civilian Conservation Corps camps during the Great Depression. But who are these men and what was life in the camps like?

A meeting in fire-razed Detroit. Two physicists on an Ann Arbor lawn. A lone woman in a Greek class in 1866. In honor of U-M’s Bicentennial, we look at some of the moments and movements that altered the course of Michigan history forever.

As U-M celebrates 200 years, Bentley Director Terrence McDonald reflects on the "vows" that the University has made since its inception.

What do maize and blue look like? The answer has historically depended on whom you ask -- and when.

How a 1905 stadium collapse changed the way U-M fans would watch the game for good.

For John Kemp, digitizing The Michigan Daily means creating an important resource for preserving Michigan history.

Two archivists at the Bentley write about a new initiative to uncover women's stories at the University of Michigan.

In 1930, U-M tried to ignore African American women when it opened Mosher-Jordan, a new dormitory for female students. Meet the women who refused to accept being invisible.

Director's Notes from Terrence J. McDonald address archiving the history of African American students at the University of Michigan.

The inspiring, pioneering career of Cornelia Kennedy earned her the title of “First Lady of the Michigan Judiciary.” Now, the papers of the first woman appointed to the federal bench in Michigan have come to the Bentley.