Bentley Historical Library

News Stories

  • Detroit Observatory Slated for a Makeover

    The University of Michigan Board of Regents has approved plans to renovate the historic Detroit Observatory in a $10-million project that will add approximately 6,000 square feet of space to the campus’s second-oldest building.

    … Complete Story

  • Saving the Internet

    Since the early 2000s, the Bentley Historical Library has collected 2,255 websites comprising more than 15 million individual web pages. Join us for a Q&A with Bentley Archivist Dallas Pillen, who explains the importance of archiving websites, and how it’s done.

    … Complete Story

  • Dancing My Dream

    The collection of Warren Petoskey shines a light on the systemic mistreatment of American Indians, while also revealing the story of how one man found his spiritual calling. Read more about this elder of the Odawa and Lakotah tribes of northern Michigan.

    … Complete Story

  • Frauds in the Field

    From 1890 to 1920, more than 3,000 “ancient” artifacts were discovered across Michigan. The papers of U-M Professor Francis Kelsey reveal his efforts to unmask a hoax involving these artifacts and a state-wide scam. Check out the latest issue of Collections magazine for the full story.

    … Complete Story

  • When Hobgoblins Walk

    Since 1890, The Michigan Daily has been the authoritative voice on student life. And when it comes to Halloween, it hasn’t shied away from covering all types of student shenanigans and general tomfoolery. Here is a brief look at student life on campus from the pages of the Daily at the spookiest time of the year.

    … Complete Story

  • Segregated Service

    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? The Bentley needs your help in identifying these men, all of whom played a critical role in American history.

    … Complete Story

  • “Lack of Taste, and Low Quality of Humor”

    A controversial ad for a one-cup bra was part of the reason the Board in Control of Student Publications tried to kick Michigan’s student-run humor magazine, The Gargoyle, off campus in 1950. Needless to say, they didn’t go quietly. Here’s what happened next.

    … Complete Story