Freemasons photograph collection, circa 1920-1929
1 oversize folder
The collection consists of group portraits of Freemasons from Grand Rapids and Jackson, Michigan.
1 oversize folder
The collection consists of group portraits of Freemasons from Grand Rapids and Jackson, Michigan.
17 linear feet — 28 oversize volumes — 1 oversize folder
The Robert D. Aldrich collection consists of materials--manuscript, printed, and photographic--documenting the history of Concord, Michigan, in western Jackson County. The collection spans the period from the arrival of the first settlers in 1831 to the 1980s. There are a few items dating back into the eighteenth century (as early as 1783) since the papers of some pioneer families predate their arrival in Concord. The bulk of the collection, though, falls in the period since the Civil War.
The collection documents every facet of life in Concord. Included are the papers of numerous Concord citizens consisting of personal correspondence, diaries, account books and newspaper clippings about them. In addition, Aldrich collected the records of various Concord businesses and organizations, as well as some church, school, and governmental records.
The collection has been divided into two series: Manuscript and Printed Materials, and Visual Materials. Both series are arranged alphabetically either by personal name or name of organization, or by general subject area, such as Circus, Underground Railroad, etc.
1 volume
The C. Earle Beckwith photograph album (17 x 22 cm) contains 18 photographic prints of rural living, possibly in Michigan. Includes two views of a mill; a photograph of two women in a boat; a photograph of a crowded event at a rural residence; a group shot of a brass band; two men and a boy holding farm implements; two images of a railroad track and water tower; and candid photographs of family at home. Also included are several photographs relating to farming activities; one is of a roadside display of vegetables after the harvest.
The album's brown cloth cover has an embossed title "Photographs." The album is inscribed "C. Earle Beckwith, Merry Christmas" and is housed in a light blue box.
1 folder
The Mark Bedsole photograph collection includes photographs of Michigan National Guard bands at the University of Michigan and other places.
5.5 linear feet (in 7 boxes) — 1 oversize folder
The collection documents the professional life of John G. Claybourn, superintendent of the Dredging Division of the Panama Canal from 1921 to 1948 and a consultant on matters of river and harbor improvement. In addition to the Panama Canal, the collection illustrates the role of the United States in infrastructure development in the Third World.
The papers include materials created and collected by Claybourn in his work on the Panama Canal, materials relating to personal business activities away from his primary work, materials relating to consulting jobs and to Claybourn's activities in professional engineering societies, and personal correspondence, much of it with some business connection.
The collection is not clearly divided by topic: papers relating to a particular topic may be divided among topical files, files arranged by correspondent or company, and the general personal correspondence file. Some of the topics of interest include the following:
Burma: The papers document Claybourn's consulting work in the early 1950s, on contract with the U.S. government, to rebuild commerce on the Irrawaddy River destroyed during World War II and to develop the Dalla Dockyards near Rangoon.
Claybourn, Elsie Greiser: A scrapbook documents her activities as a long-distance swimmer and canoeist. Her retirement years are described in detail in the personal correspondence file.
Claybourn, Leslie W.: Claybourn's correspondence with his brother, an inventor and printing industry executive, provides some documentation of the development of that industry.
Colombia: In the 1920s Claybourn was involved in the development of the Dique de Cartagena, a ship canal serving that city. The papers document his relations with the Colombian government.
Florida: Claybourn was a consultant in the early 1930s for a projected canal across Florida. The collection includes surveys and other papers relating to this project.
Panama Canal: The papers reflect both Claybourn's work on the Canal and his interest in the history of its construction. Most papers on this topic have been drawn together in processing, but many are found under the names of correspondents and in the general correspondence file. The topics documented in the greatest detail are maintenance of the canal, especially clearing of landslides, and planning for additional locks and later for a sea-level canal. Information about dredges used on the canal is also included. A collection of photographs, most of them from official sources, parallels these strengths.
The papers also document Claybourn's moonlighting on private dredging operations during the 1920s. This material is found under the names of companies and projects.
Retirement: Claybourn's retirement years were spent in Ann Arbor. The personal correspondence describes in great detail his and his wife's retirement activities.
Rumania: Correspondence with Bill Arthur includes a copy of Arthur's diary of events during a 1940 rebellion in that country.
World War II: In addition to the Rumanian material described above, the collection contains much relating to defensive activities on the Panama Canal. The Burma project described above includes information about war damage to transportation in that country.
Other consulting activities: Consulting projects in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Venezuela are documented less fully than those described above.
1 folder
The collection consists of a photograph of a boy's band (probably from Ann Arbor) as well as a group photgraph from a military encampment (probably of the 1st Regiment, Company A, Michigan State Troops).
1.2 linear feet — 1 oversize folder (UAm) — 5.2 GB (online)
The Frederick E. Moncrieff papers primarily document Moncrieff's work with the University of Michigan. These papers are divided into three series: University of Michigan Band Tour Papers; Other Materials; and Audiovisual Materials.
6 items
This collection is made up of 5 financial documents concerning celebrations held in New York City on July 4, 1847, and July 5, 1847. The items pertain directly to agreements between a "committee of arrangement" and the providers of fireworks and musical performances. Alderman Theodore R. de Forest endorsed each item for its accuracy. One earlier receipt concerns a performance by an 18-member band (March 5, 1847). See the Detailed Box and Folder Listing for more information.
8 linear feet
The Thomas Harrison Reed Collection is the papers of a man who was an active and important figure in the field of municipal government during much of the first half of this century. The Reed papers consist of eight feet of manuscript material, including correspondence, memos, newspaper clippings, and printed material. Over half of the collection deals primarily with Reed's work as a municipal consultant. The collection also contains a substantial amount of material which pertains to Reed's activities in connection with the American Political Science Association as well as material which relates to his academic career and correspondence with Michigan citizens and legislators and Michigan's Congressional representatives. In addition, the collection includes material on Belgium, Reed's work as city manager of San Jose, and his work with the Republican Program Committee.
The Thomas Harrison Reed Collection provides useful material for research on the history of the activities of the National Municipal League and on trends and issues in municipal government during the first half of the twentieth century in the United States. The collection is also useful to anyone interested in the issues which were involved in the revision of city charters in many American cities during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. The collection contains, in particular, substantial material on reform in Atlanta during the 1930s.
Although this collection contains material on Reed's association with The University of Michigan and some material which deals with government in Michigan, it would be of little use for research on any aspect of Michigan history. During his twelve-year residence in Michigan, Reed did little work which related specifically to municipal government in this state. He did publish Oakland County: a survey of county and township administration and finance in 1932, but the collection contains nothing of substance relating to this work. With this exception, and aside from some correspondence and a few speeches to such groups as the League of Women Voters, there is no material in this collection which would be of more than passing interest to one engaged in historical research relating to Michigan.
9 linear feet (in 10 boxes)
The William D. Revelli Papers provide unique possibilities for research on the history of teaching at the University of Michigan. The Revelli papers, covering the years 1960-1992, are arranged into six record series: Biographical/Personal; Correspondence; University of Michigan Activities; Other Professional Activities; Visual Materials; and Audio Cassettes.