The Bentley Historical Library will close from 12:30 pm to 2:15 pm on May 9, 2025, and will close early at 2:00 pm on May 14, 2025.

Bentley Historical Library

News Stories

  • Women athletes posing in front of the Martha Cook dormitory.

    A Sporting Chance

    Women at U-M fought for athletic facilities where they could exercise and play sports. Learn how they carved out spaces for themselves on campus, time and again.

    … Complete Story
  • Ruth Ellis leaning against a car in Detroit.

    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.

    … Complete Story
  • Two cupped hands holding grain above a white grain bag.

    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.

    … Complete Story
  • Newspaper articles pasted into a scrapbook page.

    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.

    … Complete Story
  • Dictionary page for the word "reparative"

    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    What do you do when the descriptions of archival collections are outdated, even racist?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.

    … Complete Story

  • 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.

    … Complete Story
  • Black and white image of an African American man wearing a suit and tie

    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.

    … Complete Story