Bentley Historical Library Polar Bear Project collection, 1918-2019
0.4 linear feet — 60 MB (digital files)
0.4 linear feet — 60 MB (digital files)
79 linear feet — 2 oversize boxes — 1 oversize folder — 3 drawers — 33.5 GB (online)
27.5 linear feet (in 29 boxes) — 29 film reels — 60 phonograph records — 37 GB (online)
1 linear foot, 1 oversize folder, 1 oversize volume, 902 MB (online)
The Blake family series (1.3 linear feet and oversize items) includes materials of Alde L. T. Blake and William F. Blake, their daughter Dorothy S. Blake (materials of their daughter Ethel are found within the Kutsche family series), as well as Thomas Dawes Blake and Freeman N. Blake. Alde L. T. Blake's materials include correspondence with Jane Addams, Ben Lindsey, Woodbridge N. Ferris, and Anna Howard Shaw, as well as related exchanges with representatives of various women's rights and consumer rights organizations. Also included in the series her personal correspondence and scrapbooks, as well as photocopies of materials held by the Rutgers Archives.
William F. Blake materials include his scrapbooks dated between 1872 and 1929, largely concerning family history and business interests, his personal and business correspondence, as well as volumes containing copies of letters sent by Robert Blake in his capacity as U.S. Consular Agent serving in Canada, including detailed commercial report about London, Ontario in 1873; and a ledger with copies of letters sent by William F. Blake during his time as a U.S. Consul in 1878-1879.
Dorothy S. Blake's correspondence includes her personal correspondence, as well as a number of letters about her teaching career in Grand Rapids. Freeman N. Blake materials include his scattered correspondence and two notebooks from his time as a law school student in Cambridge. The series also includes materials related to Thomas Dawes Blake, all in oversize folder. Included here are his obituaries and military documents dating to 1806. The Blake family series also includes family histories, digital copies of genealogical material, and miscellaneous items.
1.8 linear feet — 2 oversize folders — 1 oversize volume — 902 MB (online)
12 linear feet — 12.52 GB (online)
The Topical Files series (1903-2017) (2 linear feet, 574.93 MBs) consists mostly of correspondence, as well as reports, clippings, and other materials. The series is organized into two subseries, 1903-2015 and 1924-2017, reflecting two different accessions of material from the board. A significant portion of materials in this series are about The Michigan Daily and the Michiganensian. The material within this series also reflects the role of the board in arranging and sanctioning printing and photographic contracts, acting as liaison between the students and the university administration (especially concerning controversial actions on the part of editors), and appointing staff positions.
There are three main sections within the 1903-2015 subseries: Correspondence (1931-1978) is the correspondence of the chairmen of the board, often pertaining to issues about the content and reporting of the student publications; Publications (1903-1980) contains materials related to the operation and content of specific student publications. The Financial Materials (1931-1983) file contains correspondence, reports, and transaction history.
The Student Publications Building Construction and Renovation Plans (1930-1980) are mostly blueprints and building plans for the initial construction, and subsequent renovations, of the Student Publications Building.
The Senior Staff Applications, 1952-1957 are arranged chronologically and consist of student applications for senior staff positions on the various University of Michigan student publications. Approximately five folders worth of applications have been reduced to one "sample" folder, to represent the variety of student applicants, including men and women of varying levels of experience. The applications are primarily for positions with the Gargoyle, the Generation, and The Michigan Daily.
Also of note are the surveys about the publications and their readership. Two were conducted about The Michigan Daily, in 1959 and 1972. The "Publication Questionnaires, 1954-1956" contains detailed answers to requests for information about the functioning of the Board.
The Topical Files sub-series (1924-2017) consists of correspondence, biographical information on Student Publications alumnus David Margolick, reports, clippings, and other materials. Of research interest are the Vietnam War and Watergate clippings, and the handicap barrier issue arising in 1980.
286 linear feet — 3 oversize volumes — 20 oversize items — 298.4 MB (online) — 1 oversize folder
The Campus Development and History series (1840-2008, 3 linear feet and 17 GB) is divided into two subseries: Early Campus Development and Campus History.
The Campus History subseries contains compiled research from 1840 to the early 2000s. Included are clippings, Public Works Program documentation, old walking tours, photographs and slides.