Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Teach-in organized by University of Michigan students. Held from November 2-4, 1975, this three-day teach-in investigated the role of technology in corporate and government "control." Specific topics included: assassinations, corporate manipulation, subversion of the forces of dissent, police repression, surveillance and dataveillance, and mind control. DVD and streaming files from original EIAJ 1/2" open-reel videotapes of speakers at all sessions.

The collection consists of nineteen original recordings on 1/2-inch EIAJ reel-to-reel videotapes of the teach-in and one folder with teach-in schedules and outlines as well as handwritten notes taken during the sessions (writer unknown). In 2009 preservation and use copies of the tapes were made including a Beta SP preservation master, a DVD copy and a streaming file. The original tapes were in relatively good condition, though there are occasional problems with audio and video levels in the recordings and occasional tracking and dropout problems during dubbing. The derivatives were created on a one-to-one basis with the original.

Only a selection of the streaming files are currently on-line. Others can be mounted by sending a request the Bentley Historical Library reference staff (bentley.ref@umiclh.edu)

Reform Jewish temple located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Temple Beth Emeth shares facilities with St. Clare's Episcopal Church. Minutes of board and congregational meetings; publications include history of the temple and service bulletins; subject files relate to community involvement and issues; and visual materials.

The records of Temple Beth Emeth document the founding and growth of the Ann Arbor reformed congregation. The records include minutes of board and congregational meetings; publications, including history of the temple and service bulletins; subject files relating to community involvement and issues; and photographs.

The record group has been separated into seven series: Administrative; Leadership; Temple Organizations; Topical files: History, Membership, and Miscellaneous; Congregational Life; Genesis and Audio-Visual.

Records of Taxpayers United Federation (and the two organizations from which it was formed, Taxpayers Federation of Michigan, and Taxpayers United for Tax Limitation), both organizations concerned with state tax limitation ballot proposals. Board of Director's and president's files, correspondence, clippings, photographs, videotapes, newsletters and other organizational records; contain material concerning ballot drives in 1976, 1978, and 1980.

The Taxpayers United Federation Records are comprised of three series: Taxpayers Federation of Michigan; Taxpayers United for Tax Limitation; and Taxpayers United Federation. Each series is arranged first chronologically by year, then alphabetically by topic. While correspondence in each series is in chronological order by month, the researcher is advised that, whenever possible, correspondence has been left with appropriate topical files.

Susan Wineberg is a historian of Ann Arbor, Mich., and historic preservationist. She became involved in historic preservation in 1974 and has served as a commissioner on the Ann Arbor Historic District Commission (1982, 1984-1988) and as a member on its committees since 1977. Wineberg also has authored books and articles on historic buildings in Ann Arbor and been active in other local organizations. The collection includes correspondence, articles, brochures, clippings, printed ephemera and realia, photographs, and subject files relating mostly to Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Michigan historic properties and businesses.

The Susan Wineberg Papers document local efforts to research and protect historic properties in the Ann Arbor area. The collection is a rich source of information for the history of many buildings and areas in Ann Arbor. Wineberg has assembled clippings, stories, records, and photocopies of pictures about local preservation, conflicts over preservation laws, and historic buildings. The collection documents not only Wineberg's involvement in historic preservation, but also the activities of governmental and community organizations that have sought to preserve Ann Arbor's heritage and encourage adoption of their sense of responsible development. Moreover, the records reveal the evolution of historic preservation since the 1970s. They document the debates within the community between those who favor governmental measures that aim to protect the city's historic properties and those who view such protective ordinances and regulations as an intrusion on individual property rights. Additionally, several of the series document the history of Ann Arbor, Detroit, Washtenaw County, and Michigan through collected photocopies, photographs, and assorted ephemera.

The collection is organized into 18 series: Personal Files, Ann Arbor Historic District Commission, Ann Arbor Historic Preservation and Development Materials, Audio Materials, Visual Materials, Research / Reference files, Printed Ephemera and Realia, Printed Ephemera and Realia, 1969-2004, Collected Historical Materials, and Washtenaw County Historical Society. The rest of the collection is arranged into series based on when they were received by the Bentley, and as such there may be some overlap in subject matter.

Wife of Chase S. Osborn, leader in the Atlantic Union Movement, and officer in the Atlantic Union Conference, the International Movement for Atlantic Union, and Federal Union, Inc. Correspondence, diaries and other materials concerning her professional interests, especially her work for world peace through international cooperation.

The Stella Osborn collection was received in multiple accessions. The bulk of the papers were received from her home in Georgia (1958) and her office in Washington D.C. (1972). These materials documenting her entire career were organized into seven series: Biographical; Correspondence; Personal and miscellaneous; Atlantic Union Committee and related; Business and Professional Women's Club; Sound recordings; and Index card files. An extremely active woman with many interests and causes, Stella Osborn continued to add to her papers with a later accession in 1983. Following her death, the executor of her estate and other friends added to the collection with materials which she had retained for whatever reason or which had been in storage. There is obviously some overlap in these later materials and the files received previously. The purpose of the Summary Contents List (see below) is to draw like materials together.

The 1992 accession was more fully described than the earlier papers. This accession includes biographical notes and clippings about Stella Osborn and Chase Osborn. There is, in addition, personal and organizational correspondence, financial and estate records (1970-1988), land deeds for the Osborn holdings in Georgia and Michigan, organizational material for the Federal Union and the Atlantic Union Committee, manuscripts of poetry, prose, and political essays (including some material by Chase Osborn), and Stella Osborn's diaries (1982-87). The collection includes childhood photographs of Stella Osborn and photographs of her parents and grandparents. Two copies of a videotape about the Osborn farm in Georgia, Possum Poke, are included here as well.

Much of this accession documents the last few years of Stella Osborn's life, after her move to a retirement home in Sault St. Marie Michigan, years during which she maintained an interest in people and world peace organizations, and in documenting her own and Chase Osborn's place in history. While the bulk of correspondence here is for 1982, 1983, and 1987, some earlier correspondence is included as well. Of interest to university historians is the topical correspondence file on Robert Frost's visit to Michigan. Stella Osborn's lifelong friendship with Yuki Otsuki is documented by their extensive correspondence, a series of letters beautifully written and presented that recall earlier days, including student life.

The collection contains some material of interest to researchers interested in Chase Osborn, including the series of land transfers and deeds which document Chase and Stella Osborn's extensive holdings in Georgia and Michigan, and their gifts of land to various charities and institutions. Also included is some Chase Osborn correspondence and copies of articles he wrote about his extensive travels in Africa. Chase Osborn's 1938 "Longfellow Birthday Book" contains the birth dates of his ancestors. Several letters from 1936 pertain to Chase Osborn's involvement in the movement to build the Mackinac Bridge.

Of special interest to researchers interested in Stella Osborn and her role in various world peace organizations are her unpublished autobiographical manuscripts and files. Also of interest are her diaries, where she continued to record her ideas about politics and her memories.

1. Accessions, 1958 and 1971-1972 [boxes 1-27]
   • Biographical material [box 1]
   • Correspondence, 1916-1982 [boxes 1-13]
   • Personal and miscellaneous
     • Schedules, notes on telephone conversations, various writings [box 14]
     • Personal press releases [box 15]
     • Speeches [box 15]
     • Clippings [box 15]
     • Poetry [box 15]
     • Income tax files [box 15]
     • Diaries [box 16]
     • Student notebooks, account books, etc. (U-M and others) [box 16]
   • Atlantic Union Committee and related [boxes 17-24]
   • Business and Professional Women's Club activities [box 24]
   • Sound tapes [box 25]
   • Card files [boxes 25-27]
2. 1983 Accession [boxes 28-34]
   • Biographical material [box 28]
   • Correspondence, 1918-1983 [boxes 28-31]
   • Organizations [box 31]
   • Topical file [boxes 31-32]
   • Writings (autobiography, poetry, prose) [box 32]
   • Diaries [box 33]
   • Visual materials [box 34]
3. 1992 Accession [boxes 35-38]
   • Biographical and Autobiographical Material (including Chase Osborn) [box 35]
   • Correspondence, 1960-1987 [box 35]
   • Financial and Business Affairs, 1920-1985 [boxes 35-36]
   • Peace Organizations, 1970-1983 [box 36]
   • Manuscripts and Research Notes [box 36]
   • Chase Osborn materials, 1913-1949 [box 37]
   • Diaries, account books, day books, 1930-1987 [box 37-38]
   • Card Indices [box 38]

Stefan Florescu, a quadriplegic, was involved in activities and organizations for the handicapped in the Detroit area and was founder of Michigan Wheelchair Athletic Committee. The collection includes personal/biographical material, files relating to his organizational activities, and files pertaining to wheelchair athletics.

The Stephan Florescu Papers contain materials from 1947-2001, documenting his active life and role in the disability rights movement, particularly in wheelchair athletics and barrier free access. The collection contains information on many local, state, and national level handicapped organizations and wheelchair athletics. The papers are arranged into three series: Personal/Biographical, Organizations, and Wheelchair Athletics.

Ann Arbor, Michigan Episcopal Church; The record group includes administrative files; newsletters; clippings, and visual materials.

The records of St. Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church consists of annual reports, minutes of vestry (Bishop's Committee) meetings, treasurer's reports, Altar Guild reports, correspondence, bylaws, membership lists, building committee reports, building specifications and construction plans, newsletters, clippings, photographs, and parochial reports.

The record group has been divided into eight series: Administrative and General Records; Newsletters; Genesis Records, Building Committee, Dr. Inez Wisdom file; Clippings, Visual Materials, and Later Records.

University of Michigan office operating since 1971 that deals with human sexuality and gender identity support and advocacy for students, faculty, and staff. Records consist of administrative and topical files of the Spectrum Center and its predecessor offices and relate to the operation of the office; outreach programs; advocacy efforts; background on university housing issues; same sex benefits; as well as local, state, and national issues pertaining to LGBTQ rights. Documentation also includes posters; photos of rights marches, gay pride events, and celebration events; audio-visual material; and oral histories.

The records of the Spectrum Center document the activities of the center from 1976 to 2012, 2019-2021 (bulk 1987-2012). Materials in this record group consist of correspondence (including electronic mail printouts and memoranda), clippings, educational training manuals, minutes, reports, topical files, photographic materials, audio and visual materials, and oral histories.

For earlier records of the office, see the Lesbian-Gay Male-Bisexual Programs Office series within the James W. Toy papers, which is also held at the Bentley Library. Note that there is some overlap between the records in the James W. Toy papers and this record group.

Ann Arbor, Michigan, women's center founded in 1977 to help women cope with adjusting to life after widowhood or divorce. Soundings' main focus has been on job readiness, but it has offered workshops, programs, and individual and group counseling sessions on such topics as reentry into the workforce, assertiveness training, personal finance, and physical and emotional health and well-being. Records include background and history materials, administration, board of directors, grants and fundraising activities, finances, and audiovisual materials. Also includes the records of the Domestic Violence Project, Inc., a separate agency.

The collection is divided into seven series: Background, Administrative, Domestic Violence Project, Board of Directors, Grants and Fundraising, Financial, and Audiovisual. Types of materials and information include audio tapes and videotapes (primarily featuring interviews with Soundings staff and members), albums, photographs, slides, clippings, newsletters, annual reports, program files, client letters, workshop files, board meeting minutes, financial summaries, funding information and grant proposals, background and miscellaneous information, and files from the Domestic Violence Project, Inc. (a related agency).

The Solar Car Team is an interdisciplinary student organization at the University of Michigan whose objectives are to design, finance, build and race a solar-powered vehicle from scratch. The collection documents the activities and experiences of several generations of the team, including team organization, design, fundraising, construction, testing and racing.

The records of the various U-M Solar Car projects have been received in multiple accessions and are generally described by accession. Accessions are typically organized around specific vehicles, but do contain material carried over from previous cars and races reflecting the fact that students learned from and built on the work of previous teams. For this reason, researchers are advised to review all accessions. The records contain a wide variety of documentation on the design, building, financing and racing of the solar cars and administrative and project management records.

Records include group reports; topical files; and binders containing newsletters and bulletins, and administrative and technical information for the cars; also included are videocassettes detailing design, building, and racing of the Sunrunner solar-powered automobile; photographs and albums of snapshots of team members performing general team tasks and captures of the Solar Car Team website.