Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Republican Governor of Michigan, 1962-1969; Presidential candidate, 1968; Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, 1969-1972. Papers consist of extensive correspondence and subject files from his tenure as governor, campaign material, and files relating to service at HUD and his other political activities, includes photographs, films and videotapes and sound recordings.

The papers of George Romney document the many faceted career of an automobile executive, governor of Michigan, candidate for President, cabinet officer, and activist on behalf of volunteerism. In this electronic version of the finding aid to the Romney papers, there are six subgroups of materials. These are Gubernatorial Papers covering the period of 1962 to 1969, Pre-gubernatorial Papers covering the period before taking office in 1963, Post-gubernatorial Papers covering the period after 1968, records of Romney Associates (a group established during his bid for the presidency), Visual Materials covering mainly the period up to 1969, and Sound Recordings also covering up to 1969. There is some overlapping of dates, particularly around the time when Romney was first elected governor in 1962 and the period when he joined the Nixon administration in 1969. The researcher should also note that the papers of Lenore Romney are not part of this finding aid.

Governor of Michigan, writer, businessman; papers include correspondence, business records, speeches, writings, visual materials, diaries.

The Osborn collection consists of correspondence, diaries, business papers, scrapbooks, photographs, and other materials accumulated during his life. Materials prior to 1889 are scarce possibly because of a fire which destroyed Osborn's home; thereafter and up to the time of his death in 1949, the Osborn papers are voluminous, documenting each of this man's varied activities. Although his career as elected public official was limited to one term as governor, the collection reflects the importance of his life in areas beyond politics alone. His voice was heard, in letters and speeches and monographs, speaking out on the issues of the day - prohibition, conservation, the New Deal, and of course his life-long interest in the development of Michigan's Upper Peninsula economy and natural resources.

Citizen action group formed in 1964-1965 by Mrs. Virginia Denham to oppose the flooding of the Mill Creek area in Lima Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan, to improve sewage treatment for communities downstream on the Huron River. The organization also opposed creation of a Mill Creek Metropark by the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority an developed the South Lima Township Historical District plan. Correspondence, environmental impact statements, administrative files, newsletters, newspaper articles, topical files, maps, and photographs.

Federation of state conservation and environmental organizations. Administrative files, including minutes of board of directors and executive committee; press releases and other published materials; files of district organizations and of various organization committees; and photographs.

The records of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs have been divided into the following series: Administration, Committees, Correspondence, District Organizations, Public Relations, Speech File, Topical Files, Publications, Visual Materials, People File, and Scrapbooks.

The Michigan Nature Association is a non-profit organization concerned with nature education and the purchase and maintenance of land throughout the state for the establishment of natural sanctuaries. The record group includes early papers of the organization, administrative files, correspondence, property and land files, topical files, publications, some visual materials, and legal materials associated with their opposition to the construction of transmission lines in a nature sanctuary.

The Michigan Nature Association records include early papers of the organization, administrative files, correspondence, property and land files, topical files, publications, some visual materials, and legal materials associated with their opposition to the construction of transmission lines in a nature sanctuary. The record group has been arranged into the following series: Early papers, Administrative, Correspondence, Topical files, Publications, Visual Materials, Bertha Daubendiek personal papers, and Litigation files. Most of these files were maintained by Bertha Daubendiek, a founder and secretary-treasurer of the organization.

The Michigan Natural Areas Council papers document environmental advocacy activities in Michigan from the mid 1940s through 2006. The record group includes numerous reports and articles on natural areas in Michigan, legislative proceedings regarding those areas, photos, slides, correspondence between Michigan's myriad environmental groups, data collected on the natural areas, and maps.

The MNAC records are organized into three series: Administrative Files, Natural Areas Files, and Site Files. The record group documents the Michigan Natural Areas Council's activities and structure from 1934 to 2006, including some materials relating to the MNAC's administration and organization. The bulk of the files relate to the group's efforts to identify and dedicate natural areas in the state of Michigan. There is also some information relating to other Michigan naturalist groups that worked with MNAC members.

The Lansing-based Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) formed in 1980 to coordinate lobbying and other member activities, distribute information, and monitor the environmental policies of state government. More recently, the council has focused almost exclusively on distributing information, directing funding, and building broad consensus on land use issues. The MEC records include information on significant environmental issues in Michigan as well as administrative papers pertaining to the council's operation.

The Michigan Environmental Council records depict the incremental growth of one of Michigan's pre-eminent environmental organizations. In addition to administrative records dealing with the council's operation, the record group also contain information on key environmental issues, major council initiatives, and MEC members. These records therefore will be of value to those interested in the environmental movement, Michigan legislative process, and the development of non-profit organizations.

Michigan Citizens Against Toxic Substances (MCATS) was a grassroots environmental organization that was formed in response to a proposed hazardous waste disposal facility in Augusta Township, Michigan. MCATS raised awareness in the surrounding communities about the dangers against such a facility, through technical research, meetings, press releases and various other activities. The records reflect MCATS’ active opposition against the proposed hazardous waste facility.

The records of Michigan Citizens Against Toxic Substances relate to its activities as a grassroots environmental organization. The material documents their active opposition to the proposed hazardous waste disposal facility on top of the Arkona Road Landfill. The bulk of the record group dates from the creation of MCATS in 1989 to 1998 when plans for the facility were withdrawn.

Organization formed in 1941 with the purpose of conserving all plants native to Michigan. The name of the organization was originally the Michigan Wildflower Association. The name was changed in 1949. Series in record group include: History and constitution; Membership; Minutes; Reports; Newsletters; Finances; Correspondence; Chapter records; Activities; and Miscellaneous.

The records of the Michigan Botanical Club, date from 1941 to 2013 and consists of minutes, correspondence, clippings, publications, and reports. The files are an important resource not only for understanding the history and achievements of the Club, but also for the study of flora in Michigan. These records are divided into ten series: History and Constitution, Membership, Minutes, Reports, Newsletters, Finances, Correspondence, Chapter Records, Activities and Miscellaneous.

Saginaw, Michigan, lumberman and businessman, and Michigan State Tax Commissioner, 1912 and wildlife conservationist and sportsman. Papers include extensive correspondence files, business records and photographs.

The William Mershon collection consists of correspondence dealing with Mershon's various activities as a lumberman, Saginaw businessman, and member of the State Tax Commission in 1912. Subjects included in the papers are Michigan wildlife conservation, the Michigan Sportsmen Association, the Michigan Manufacturers Association, the Michigan State Tax Commission, Michigan politics, the Democratic party, personal business investments, lumbering and mining interest, and personal affairs.

The collection also includes diaries, a book of notes on hunting and fishing trips, and various business records such as cash books, time books, ledgers, and journals. These primarily concern his investments and lumbering business. Many of the business records are available on microfilm. The collection also includes photographs.