From the Stacks: Christmas in the Library
Archives specialize in documenting change over time, but the holdings at the William L. Clements Library also reveal how some things remain stable through the years, including the excitement surrounding Christmas morning. On December 20th, 1840, Edward H. Fitzgerald found himself far from home as he served in the United States military. At sea and melancholy, Fitzgerald wrote a wistful journal entry imagining Christmas with his family. "I fancy myself at home, sleeping in the passage...
Giving Blueday
On the heels of Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, the Clements Library invites you to join today's global day of giving, Giving Tuesday, and the University of Michigan's parallel university-wide campaign, Giving Blueday.Donor support helps the Clements Library develop and conserve its stellar collection of early Americana primary source material while also making it increasingly accessible to the public. If you donate today, you can choose from several funds that will sustain the...
Today in History: Thanksgiving
Post by Jayne Ptolemy, Manuscripts Curatorial AssistantThe William L. Clements Library sends warm Thanksgiving greetings and offers a glimpse at holidays past via our Manuscripts Division. In November 1857, William H. Ireland, Jr., sent an illustrated, lyrical letter to his friend to ensure that he would "not have a dull Thanksgiving." In the spirit of the day, Ireland included a pen-and-ink drawing of a turkey. William H. Ireland, Jr., ALS to M. A. W. Man[ ], 1857 November 25, Duane...
Giving Blue Day – December 2, 2014
Giving Blueday is the University of Michigan's first-ever university-wide day of giving. Around the world, December 2 is known as Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving. This is YOUR chance to make a gift to the Clements Library to support acquisition, conservation and outreach. Help spread the word about the Clements Library and tell the world about our great collections and resources. Join us on December 2 to be part of a global celebration of a new tradition of generosity.
Today in History: Veterans Day
Post by Jayne Ptolemy, Manuscripts Division Curatorial AssistantVeterans Day serves as a poignant reminder of the great sacrifices the men and women of the military have made for their country. In the United States, Veterans Day evolved out of the annual celebration of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I on November 11, 1918. To highlight the profound significance of this day, we look to a letter penned by American Lieutenant Joseph C. Holbrook who was stationed in France when...
Recent Acquisition: Fantastical Militias
Post by Clayton Lewis, Curator of Graphic MaterialsDavid Claypoole Johnston. Col. Pluck. [Boston?] : Pendleton, lithographer/publisher, circa 1825.A pair of recently acquired prints point to a little known episode in American military history and pose questions about where satire ends and factual evidence begins. Satiric criticism is strongest when there is an element of truth behind the ridicule, but when the subject is already itself a parody, is the artist acting in collusion with the...
Newly Cataloged: 1,661 Manuscript Collections and Photograph Albums
The Manuscripts Division at the Clements Library is proud to announce the completion of a National Historical Publications and Records Commission's (NHPRC) processing grant, which began in 2011. Former Curator of Manuscripts Barbara DeWolfe, current Curator Cheney J. Schopieray, grant-funded project archivist Megan Hixon, and a staff of volunteers, work-study students, and interns completed the two and half year grant to create online finding aids and catalog records for over 1,600 collections...
From the Stacks: Unannounced Visitor to the White House
Post by Cheney J. Schopieray, Curator of ManuscriptsGone are the days of lawful, unannounced visits to the White House. The security of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW has increased steadily since World War II and, for the protection of the First Family, will likely continue to expand. The following Civil War soldier's story reminds us of the casual manner with which citizens could once visit the home of the President.Sixteen-year-old Hugh P. Roden became a drummer in the 7th New Jersey Infantry...
Today in History: The First Day of Fall
Post by Jayne Ptolemy, Manuscripts Division Curatorial AssistantIn Ann Arbor, the weather has started to have a chilly bite, and at the Clements Library we look to our collections to help celebrate the first day of fall.From our Schoff Civil War collection, we hear from Henry H. Seys, a Civil War surgeon and medical inspector, who wrote to his wife Harriet in late October 1862 about the spectacular autumn facing Union troops at Camp Elkwater in West Virginia."[O]n the whole thus far it's very...
Today in History: David B. Douglass Papers Addition and the Battle of Lundy’s Lane
Post by Jayne Ptolemy, Manuscripts Division Curatorial Assistant In the late evening hours of July 25, 1814, one of the bloodiest battles of the War of 1812 commenced, continuing until after midnight. Unplanned and fought in the dark of night, the Battle of Lundy's Lane claimed over 250 fatalities and 1,700 casualties across both British and American troops. While American forces had recently defeated the British at the Battle of Chippawa and were continuing their advance into Canada, the...