Adopt a Piece of History: Recent Acquisitions and Conservation
"Tradition fades but the written record remains ever fresh." Our Adopt a Piece of History asks people to fund purchases and conservation at the Clements Library. There are many books, manuscripts, maps, and visual materials that we should add to the collection, and some of our holdings require expert repair because of fragility and age. Please consider a gift to the Clements Library to purchase an item or to conserve an item so that you can adopt a piece of history. Your contribution will...
Founder’s Day Celebration: Happy Birthday, Mr. Clements!
On April 1, the Clements Library celebrates the birth of our founder, William L. Clements (1861-1934). This tradition was first recorded in the Clements Library Annual Report for 1937-1938: "Our new period started with the ceremony which in years to come we hope may become one of the Library's traditions. On April 1, 1938, the anniversary of Mr. Clements' birth, there was a formal meeting at the Library of members of Mr. Clements' family, some of his own intimate friends, and...
From the Stacks: The Hooke Journal’s Catch Tunes
In the 18th century, paper was scarce. Journals and diaries were commonly used, and re-used, for multiple purposes and by multiple people. One of my favorite examples of this practice is the Hooke journal, which belonged to a British Army officer named George Philip Hooke, who served with the 1st Battalion Grenadiers. From 1779-1780, Hooke recorded his battalion’s movements from New York to Georgia, describing their landing at St. Simons Island, Georgia, and Siege of Charleston. While the...
Founder’s Day Talk by Nicholas Basbanes, April 1, 2010
Nicholas BasbanesThe William L. Clements Founder’s Day Lecture"Further Adventures Among the Gently Mad"April 1, 4:00 p.m.Main Room, Clements Library909 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor, MINicholas Basbanes, an internationally syndicated columnist and author, on the joys and adventures of antiquarian book collecting. He will talk about the world of antiquarian books—collecting, curating, and the “gentle madness” that drives people to covet, accumulate and cherish old books. Nicholas Basbanes...
Mister Clements and His Magnificent Library: A Documentary about the Clements Library
In 2007, the Clements Library commissioned a documentary, Mister Clements and His Magnificent Library, to commemorate the retirement of John C. Dann, the third director. Highlighting the achievements of the Library's founder and past directors, the documentary provides a history of the Library and its rich collections of historical materials. The complete 30-minute version was originally shown at John C. Dann's retirement event, and has aired periodically on the Michigan Channel. Created by...
Lecture by William Cronon, Environmental Historian, March 25th, 2010
Prof. William Cronon“The Portage: Time, Memory, and Storytellingin the Making of an American Place” Thursday, March 25, 4:00 pmMain Room, Clements LibraryWilliam Cronon is the Frederick Jackson Turner Professor of History, Geography, and Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Cronon is recognized for his work as a commentator in Ken Burns’ The National Parks: America’s Best Idea and author of Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England, which...
Talk by Julie Fremuth: “Preserving History: Engaging Today’s Youth Through Historical Documents,” March 11, 2010
March 11, 201012:00pm - 1:30pmMain Room, Clements Library Julie Fremuth, a paper conservator and rare book binder at the University of Michigan's William L. Clements Library, uses the inspiration she gets from the amazing items in the library's collection to create projects she can teach young students. These projects teach the children historical origins as well as getting them to use their hands and minds creatively.Her presentation will show not only original items from the Clements,...
Online Exhibit: “Honest Independence”: The Life of Norton Strange Townshend
Norton Strange Townshend: An Online Exhibit at the William L. Clements Library A new online exhibit featuring the papers of Norton Strange Townshend is now available on the Clements Library website. (For a list of other library exhibits, see the main Exhibits page.) From the introduction to the exhibit: Norton Strange Townshend (1815-1895) had a long and multi-faceted career in politics, medicine, social reform, and agricultural education. His accomplishments included antislavery activism,...
Current Exhibit: “American Encounters: Sources for the Study of Native American History at the Clements Library,” March 1 – June 4, 2010
Now on display in the Great Room of the Clements Library, until June 4, 2010. Open to the public Monday through Thursday, 1:00-4:45 or by appointment.AMERICAN ENCOUNTERSSources for the Study of Native American History at the Clements Library American Encounters highlights the great range and depth of the Clements Library’s collections related to Native American history. The exhibit features items drawn from many areas of the collection, including books, maps, manuscripts, prints, and...
Lecture by Leonard Walle: “Chasing the Light: 19th Century Astronomical Photography,” February 27th, 2010
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2:00 P.M.Clements Library, University of Michigan909 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1190The work of 19th century photographers, painters, and astronomers interwove to capture and document astronomical events and record the fascinating workings of astronomers themselves. Leonard Walle shares this history and his fine collection of early astronomical photographs in a talk in the Great Hall of the Clements Library.This event is co-sponsored by the Michigan...