Bentley Historical Library

News Stories

  • Jeep Holland holding a phone, wearing a headband and sunglasses on his head, with photos of his band behind him.

    Chaotic Beauty

    Jeep Holland’s passion for music helped shape the 1960s Michigan scene. Discover his tumultuous rock-and-roll journey from the latest issue of our free “Collections” magazine.

    … Complete Story
  • Favorites from the Collections at the Bentley Historical Library, including letters, photos, books, and a painting of the Detroit Observatory.

    Playing Favorites

    It’s challenging to pick a favorite object from the archives, but some special collections have made an indelible mark on the hearts of our staff; read on to see their top picks.

    … Complete Story
  • Robben Fleming in his military uniform in World War II

    A Colossal Mistake

    U-M’s ninth president described the U.S. war in Vietnam as a “colossal mistake.” His papers reveal how his experiences in World War II showed him the tragic loss of young people.

    … Complete Story
  • A baseball score book from the archives at the University of Michigan.

    Keeping Score

    Archived scorecards at the Bentley tell the story of Michigan baseball over time, including the quirks of the game, how it’s changed, and how it’s remained remarkably the same.

    … Complete Story
  • Gerald Ford wearing his football number in a team photo

    Ford on the Field

    2024 marked the 50th anniversary of Gerald R. Ford’s presidency. His accomplishments on a national scale make it easy to forget he was also an exceptional U-M football player.

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

    Living with Pride

    Born in 1899, Ruth Ellis was an activist, businesswoman, and one of the oldest “out” people in Detroit. Living to the age of 101, she forged a path for Detroit’s LGBTQ+ community.

    … Complete Story
  • Man wearing collared shirt and a sport coat faces camera and smiles.

    A Historic Facility, a New Director

    Meet Gregory Parker, the new director of the Judy and Stanley Frankel Detroit Observatory. His passion for public history and experience with exhibits, programing, and U-M converge in his new role.

    … Complete Story