Collections

Transcriptions (copies) of oral history projects created by Central Michigan university faculty and students mostly of Central Michigan University (CMU) faculty, staff, students, and alumni, documenting their diverse experiences at Central Michigan University, in Mount Pleasant.

Transcriptions (copies) of oral history projects created by Central Michigan university faculty and students mostly of Central Michigan University (CMU) faculty, staff, students, and alumni, documenting their diverse experiences at Central Michigan University, in Mount Pleasant. One oral history is of a Michigan Native American woman discussing her memories of her family members who were forced to attend the Mount Pleasant Indian School, her experiences of the school's impact on her family and the tribe, and memories of one family member who graduated from eighth grade at a Michigan Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp. Currently, all of these transcriptions CLOSED to researchers unless permission is granted by Professor Jay Martin. The collection is ongoing.

The Elizabeth Anspach Papers, 1914, 1994, and undated, consist of biographical materials, photographs, postcards, diplomas, report cards, honorary speeches, and newspaper clippings (copies).

The Elizabeth Anspach Papers, 1914, 1994, and undated, consist of biographical materials, photographs, postcards, diplomas, report cards, honorary speeches, and newspaper clippings (copies). The topically grouped material is arranged alphabetically. A large portion of the photographs consist of family, baby, vacation, and retirement photos. Many of the diplomas are from Elizabeth’s time at Detroit Teaching College, Cornell, and Harvard, which is in Latin. The newspaper clippings range from her father’s obituary to retirement clippings honoring Elizabeth’s life and career. The award speech and lecture pamphlets all highlight the various achievements and awards that Elizabeth received. The newspaper clippings and award papers all commend Elizabeth for her contributions to education, children, and various organizations throughout the public health field. There are no materials specific to George Wheeler in the collection. The only item in the collection specific to Charles L. Anspach is their wedding invitation.

The photograph albums and scrapbooks document several periods of Elizabeth’s life and family, as well as contain a wedding invitation to Elizabeth and George Wheeler’s wedding. The scrapbooks also contain various items documenting Elizabeth’s life between her retirement and her death in 2003. The oversized folder contains her diplomas, as well as her 1946 Harvard class photograph.

Processing Note: During processing, 10 cubic feet of three-dimensional objects were transferred to the CMU museum. A box of photograph frames and one oversized folder of duplicates and out-of-scope materials, as well as acidic clippings (copies were retained in the collection in the Clarke) were returned to the donor as per the donor form.

Collection consists mostly of diaries, papers, and financial accounts of Mrs. Robinson, some papers of Mr. Robinson and their sons, and family photographs and correspondence, mostly about family concerns.

The collection includes mostly diaries, papers, and financial accounts of Mrs. Robinson, some papers of Mr. Robinson and their sons, family photographs, and family correspondence, mostly about family concerns.

Correspondence from John and Ingrid Hepler to Jett and Shelley Whitehead, 1978-1993 (Scattered), and undated.

Correspondence from John and Ingrid Hepler to Jett and Shelley Whitehead, 1978-1993 (Scattered), and undated. The collection is organized chronologically. The collection documents their deepening friendship between themselves and their families and numerous interests they shared. Towards the end of Hepler’s life, as he became unable to read and write himself, his wife Ingrid wrote on his behalf to Jett and his wife, Shelly. Broadly, they discussed many topics in their letters. One major topic they discussed is writing. Mainly, Hepler and Whitehead discussed poetry, poets and authors, Wallace Stevens, Robert Frost (most frequently), and Shakespeare. They also discussed and critiqued their own writings and mailed each other written material that they found interesting (See July 1978 – May 1980, July 1980 – May 1981, July 1981 – May 1982, July 1982 – July 1983, August 1983 – March 1984, April – December 1984, January – June 1985, July 1985 – March 1986, January – August 1989, September – December 1989, February – May 1990, and June 1990 – June 1993, Hepler Writings, 1976, 1983 folders, and Jett Whitehead Poetry folder). Another major topic they often wrote about was their families. Throughout the collection, Hepler wrote about his children and grandchildren. When deaths in the extended families occur, condolences are sent and when someone is sick, well wishes are sent (See July 1980 – May 1981, July 1981 – May 1982, April – December 1984, January – June 1985, July 1985 – March 1986, April 1986 – November 1987, January – August 1989, September – December 1989, February – May 1990, and June 1990 – June 1993 folders). They also frequently wrote about everyday occurrences and sent each other good wishes. The relationship between the Hepler and Whitehead families strengthened over time. The Heplers sent the Whiteheads advice, encouragement, and considered them as part of their own family (See August 1978 – May 1980, July 1982 – July 1983, April – December 1984, July 1985 – March 1986, April 1986 – November 1987, September – December 1989, February – May 1990, and June 1990 – June 1993 folders). While health was discussed throughout the collection, it becomes a main topic when Hepler is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease towards the end of the collection. Ingrid informed the Whiteheads about John’s condition and carried on the correspondence for John when he could no longer read nor write. She also included her own feelings on the situation in her letters to the Whiteheads, noted that she missed the conversations she once had with her husband, and who he was before the disease as it sometimes made him abusive towards her (See June 1990 – June 1993 folder). In his letters, Hepler occasionally mentions CMU. He writes about other CMU professor like Daniel Weber (See July 1980 – May 1980 folder), Clarke Historical Library Reference Librarian and Faculty member Bill Miles (See July 1981 – May 1982 folder), and negative publicity that CMU received from the Detroit Free Press, regarding former Sigma Phi Epsilon president Paul Bonaccine, who was accused of sexually assaulting another student. The charges were reduced to attempted fourth degree criminal sexual conduct to which Bonaccine plead no contest. Sigma Phi Epsilon was stripped of its rights as a CMU Fraternity in 1984 for four years (CM Life, November 19, 1984, January 14, 1985, and See January – June 1985 and July 1985 – March 1986 folder).