The Bentley Historical Library will close at 3:00 p.m. on November 6, 2024.

News Stories

  • Living with Pride

    Ruth Ellis forged a path for people in the LGBTQ community, as one of the oldest “out” lesbians in Detroit, until her death at age 101.

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  • Fields of Gold

    One researcher’s quest to resurrect a nearly extinct type of rye seed started in the archives, but quickly expanded beyond them. Learn about this forgotten chapter of Michigan agricultural history.

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  • Teaching Black History

    An adult-education class brought Black history to life in a Depression-era Ann Arbor classroom. Newspaper clippings pasted inside a scrapbook showcase the excellence of Black Americans.

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  • Language Lessons

    What do you do when the descriptions of archival collections are outdated, even racist? A new initiative at the Bentley is tackling a strategic, long-term fix.

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  • Thousands of Ann Arbor Photos

    Historical photos of Ann Arbor and surrounding communities are now available digitally as part of the Bentley Historical Library’s contribution to the Ann Arbor Bicentennial.

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  • The Business of the Hour

    Belford Lawson’s work as a lawyer and activist changed the course of civil rights in the United States. His incredible story is told, in part, through archived materials at the Bentley.

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  • “A Fuller Spectrum of Voices”

    A new collection from the National Conference of Artists (NCA), Michigan Chapter showcases the organization’s infrastructure and support for Black artists across the state of Michigan.

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