The African American Student Project

A new searchable database lists the names and years of attendance of every African American student who attended the University for any length of time from 1853-1956. It includes archival materials and other data for an in-depth look at African American experiences at U-M.

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A Special Note from Director Terry McDonald

After almost a decade of leadership, Director McDonald will be returning to a faculty role in August 2022. “My nine years at the Bentley have gone quickly because I have enjoyed so much meeting all of you and working with the enormously talented Bentley staff.”

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Bentley Access Updates

The Bentley Historical Library is open by appointment to the public. We ask that you familiarize yourself with our research procedures to keep everyone safe. Click “Complete Story” below to get all the information you need to conduct your research.

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Bentley Launches Willis Ward Exhibit

Willis Ward was infamously benched for being Black during the 1934 University of Michigan vs. Georgia Tech football game. This exhibit goes beyond the game into his rich life and legacy.

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Scratching the Surface

To write his new memoir, multimedia journalist and educator Harvey Ovshinsky had to research his own collection at the Bentley.

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When Every Box is the Last Box

How students and faculty from U-M’s History Department collaborated with Bentley archivists to find creative ways to produce a successful research project, even without physical access to archival materials.

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Spooky Slideshow

To get you into the Halloween spirit, we are delighted to share a handful (er, claw-full?) of odd and creepy images from various Bentley collections. Grab some candy corn and enjoy!

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