-
Total Eclipse of the Sun
Winter 2021In the summer of 1878, U-M Professor James Watson headed west to observe a solar eclipse, confident he would find a new planet. Instead, he discovered the limitations of science in the late-1800s and the fine line separating fascination and folly.
… Complete Story -
Bridge the Gap
Winter 2021The plan to build a bridge across the Straits of Mackinac began in earnest in the 1880s. But it wasn’t until 1954 that construction began on the Mackinac Bridge. What happened in the interim?
… Complete Story -
Lifting His Voice
Winter 2021Willis C. Patterson’s newly donated papers at the Bentley document a tireless fight for African American music to take its rightful place in the vocal canon.
… Complete Story -
Collecting During Covid-19
Winter 2021How the Bentley Historical Library is archiving the Covid-19 pandemic in real-time.
… Complete Story -
No Resignation
Spring 2020Renowned neuroanatomist Elizabeth Crosby was a brilliant researcher and a dedicated teacher who spoke of her many years at U-M with fondness. So what happened to make her attempt to resign numerous times over the course of her career? Letters in her collection may provide answers.
… Complete Story -
Milliken in the Middle
Spring 2020Michigan’s longest-serving governor was a Republican renowned for reaching across the aisle to Democratic colleagues, and for making Michigan’s environmental health a priority. His collection at the Bentley reveals a breed of politician that’s nearly extinct.
… Complete Story -
Eat Your Words
Spring 2020Writer James Tobin goes deep into the newly arrived Zingerman’s collection to understand how co-founder Ari Weinzweig’s on-paper voice helped a fledgling eatery define itself and stand out.
… Complete Story