Lecture by Kevin Graffagnino: “Our Hearts Were Touched with Fire: The Civil War Collections of the William L. Clements Library,” by J. Kevin Graffagnino, June 11, 2012
J. Kevin Graffagnino, Clements Library Director"Our Hearts Were Touched with Fire: The Civil War Collections of the William L. Clements Library"Monday, June 11, 20127:00 p.m.On June 11 at 7pm, Kevin Graffagnino will speak on "Our Hearts Were Touched with Fire: The Civil War Collections of the William L. Clements Library." Kevin's talk will include images of great William L. Clements Library holdings on the Civil War in the areas in which we collect--books, maps, newspapers, manuscripts,...
Reminder: Clements Library Summer Hours Begin May 29
On May 29, the Clements Library starts the summer schedule. Note that the library will be open for research on weekdays until 5:45 pm, except for Fridays. (Thursday evening research hours will resume in the fall.) Public exhibits will be open in the afternoons, Monday through Thursday. Library:Monday: 9:00 am – 5:45 pmTuesday: 9:00 am – 5:45 pmWednesday: 9:00 am – 5:45 pmThursday: 9:00 am – 5:45 pmFriday: 9:00 am – 11:45 amGreat Hall exhibits:Monday – Thursday: 1:00 pm – 4:45 pmYou can...
In the News: “Clements Library Takes a Bicentennial Look at War of 1812”
On AnnArbor.com is a review of the current Clements Library exhibit by John Carlos Cantu, titled "Clements Library takes a bicentennial look at War of 1812." The exhibit was curated by Brian L. Dunnigan, Associate Director and Curator of Maps. It features maps, manuscripts, prints, and other artifacts documenting America's "forgotten war." For more information about current exhibits, see the Clements Library exhibits page. The War of 1812 exhibit will be open until June 1 in the Main Room...
In the News: “Clements Accepts Gift of State’s Oldest Photographs”
The May/June 2012 issue of Michigan History Magazine includes an announcement about an important Clements Library acquisition. Clayton Lewis, Curator of Graphic Materials, reports that daguerreotypes of Eber Brock Ward and his family were recently donated to the library. These images, taken in 1842, may be the earliest documented in Michigan. "Clements Accepts Gift of State's Oldest Photographs," Michigan History Magazine (May/June 2012, p. 7).
Upcoming Exhibit at the Clark Library: “An Imaginary Arctic: Speculative Cartography in the Search for the Northwest Passage,” April 30 – July 27, 2012
Melanie Langa, a researcher at the Clements Library and a student from Community High School in Ann Arbor, will curate an exhibit on the history of cartography beginning April 30th at the Stephen S. Clark Library in the Graduate Library. Entitled, An Imaginary Arctic: Speculative Cartography in the Search for the Northwest Passage, it will feature maps from both the Clements Library and the Clark Map Library through July.This event is the culmination of Melanie's research during the 2011/2012...
For National Poetry Month: Anne Bradstreet’s Tenth Muse
Anne Bradstreet, The Tenth Muse (1650).In honor of National Poetry Month, we are featuring one of the Clements Library's great treasures, The Tenth Muse by Anne Bradstreet. Printed in 1650 in London, it is noteworthy as the first book of poetry published by an American.Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672) and her husband Simon immigrated to America in 1630. In 1647, her brother-in-law John Woodbridge took her manuscript poems to England to be published under the title The Tenth Muse, Lately...
Today in History: The Sinking of the Titanic
Guest post by Meg Hixon, Project ArchivistThough the Titanic saw her last glimpse of daylight exactly 100 years ago this Sunday, the tragedy continues to fascinate the modern imagination in many ways, both as a symbol of the era's social hierarchies and customs and as a backdrop for Broadway musicals and Hollywood films. The Clements Library holds several items related to the famous shipwreck, including several letters from Americans sharing their first reactions to the news. Their...
Ann Arbor Antiquarian Book Fair, Sunday, May 20, 2012
Thirty Fourth AnnualAnn Arbor Antiquarian Book Fair Sunday, May 20, 11am to 5pmAdmission: $5.00Michigan Union Ballroom, 2nd Floor530 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MICome see some 40 booksellers, map and print dealers gathered in one location. You will be able to find first editions, old and collectible books, literature, children’s books, Americana, prints and more. Your $5 admission fee benefits the William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan. For more information call:Jay...
From the Stacks: Irish Emigrant’s Guide for the United States
Guest post by Molly Malcolm, Clements Library volunteerMarch was Irish American Heritage Month, which prompted us to showcase a wonderful book here at the Clements Library, The Irish Emigrant's Guide for the United States, by Rev. J. O'Hanlon.The cultural ties between Ireland and the United States are as old as any other European connection with this land; it was Irish-born Patrick Maguire who was the first of Christopher Columbus’ crew to step off the ship and set foot on North American soil...
From the Stacks: A False Deathbed Confession
Thomas Skinner, Another Voice From the Grave (Philadelphia, 1819). A handwritten note on the cover of this pamphlet hints at the intriguing story within: "This tract is an entire fiction. The particulars were fabricated by a base woman (Mrs. Sayres) and imposed on Dr. Skinner. The detection of the imposture produced very great excitement."The pamphlet is Another Voice From the Grave, or, The Power of Conscience Exemplified in the Dying Confession and Exercises of an Unfortunate...