Search

Papers include consists of copies of Basil’s notes on his family, diaries from 1904, a bound version of Diary of a ninety-eighter, and the cover page and maps of Cumming’s book.

There are three versions of Basil’s diary. The first version is the handwritten original, which he kept in Alaska, along with a more legible 1904 version. The second version is a typescript that closely follows the original, probably written after 1910. The third version was published by John Cumming as Diary of a ninety-eighter. (Copies of this book are separately cataloged in the CMU libraries.)

The diary described Basil’s trip, mining experiences, companions, Nels Seaver and Ed Burmeister, and Alaska in detail.

The collection consists of copies of Basil’s notes on his family, diaries from 1904, a bound version of Diary of a ninety-eighter, and the cover page and maps of Cumming’s book.

The collection includes mostly photocopied correspondence, court case testimony, articles, and biographical materials from various Strangite sources. A users copy is available to researchers.

The collection includes mostly photocopied correspondence, court case testimony, articles, and biographical materials from various Strangite sources. A users copy is available to researchers.

The collection reflects Cumming’s many interests and activities as Director of the Clarke, historian, author, researcher, bibliophile, printer, and collector.

The collection reflects Cumming’s many interests and activities as Director of the Clarke, historian, author, researcher, bibliophile, printer, and collector. The collection documents Mount Pleasant, Isabella County, Auburn, and Oakland County (Mich.) history, as well as his special interests, including Abel Bingham, the Gold Rush, and (Strangite) Mormons. There are drafts of his books and articles, speeches, and biographical materials. Photographic materials are also included. Most of the material in the collection is undated

Materials were processed mostly by Acc# as per the donor’s wishes. Boxes 1-6, Oversized folder, Acc#5261, 52991, 71-41. Boxes 7-8, Acc# 53561. Boxes 9-10, Acc#67488 and 67600. Box 11, unaccessioned materials from January 2007. Boxes 12-16, Acc#72398. Box 17, Acc#77785 1 box of slides.

Box 17 has four small slide boxes of Michigan slides, 1958-1978, and undated, documenting John’s travels. They are organized alphabetically by location, except for a trip that is dated August 15-16, 1969 which included Leland, Sleep Bear Dunes, Cross Village, and Mackinac Island.

Researchers may be interested in materials generated in his capacity as Director of the Clarke are found in the Clarke Historical Library Organizational Records. Additional Cumming slides are separately housed and inventoried.

Processing Note: Duplicates were removed from the collection. A list of items merged into other, existing collections, where they were more apt to be used by researchers, is in the donor’s file. Published items were separately cataloged and housed in the Clarke.

The collection documents exhibits, speakers, and various other events held at or for the Clarke Historical Library at Central Michigan University (CMU), which Cole helped coordinate, 2003-2013

The collection documents exhibits, speakers, and various other events held at or for the Clarke Historical Library at Central Michigan University (CMU), which Cole helped coordinate, 2003-2013. Included are invitations, postcards, brochures, news releases and clippings, images (photographs and digital prints), CDs of images (prints were made from the CDs), and related materials. Researchers may also be interested in the official records of the Clarke Historical Library or the collection of John Cumming, both of which are housed in the Clarke Historical Library.

Processing Note: Duplicates, financial information, general correspondence, lists of people to whom invitations were sent, reading materials, and acidic newspaper clippings (which were photocopied) removed from the collection totaled .75 cubic foot. Photocopies of the clippings were retained in the collection.