Collections : [Central Michigan University Clarke Historical Library]

The collection contains biographical information, correspondence, photographs, reports, speeches, subject files, memorabilia, plaques, index card, and oversized materials of President Anspach.

The collection is divided into the following series: Biographical Information (2 cubic ft.), 1912, 2001, undated, including: obituaries (copies), his doctoral dissertation and thesis, certificates, citations, diaries, 1932-1958 (scattered) and 1960-1973, honorary degrees, inauguration materials, scrapbooks, 1948-1959, testimonials and tributes, and his Last Will and Testament, 1977; Correspondence (approximately 1 cubic ft.), 1932-1977, with various individuals, organizations, colleges, boards, and programs; Meeting Minutes (1.5 cubic ft.), 1939-1973, for various CMU departments, committees, and other organizations, councils, and programs; Photographs and Photograph Albums (1.25 cubic ft.), 1941, 1943, 1949-1968, 1971, undated; Reports (approximately 1 cubic ft.), 1937-1941, 1943-1959, 1964, 1970, undated, from CMU departments and committees, and other organizations, councils, and committees; Speeches (4.5 cubic ft.), on a plethora of topics, including speeches recorded on paper, 1929-1976, undated, speeches recorded on reel-to-reel tapes, 1958, 1967, 1971-1973, undated, and programs of speeches given by President Anspach, 1940-1973, undated; Subject Files (4.25 cubic ft.) for a wide variety of CMU organizations, committees, events, a plethora of issues, Michigan and national organizations, councils, boards, and issues of concern to President Anspach, 1931-1977, 1979-1982, undated; Miscellaneous Materials (Memorabilia) (2 cubic ft.) including a wide variety of Masonic, Boy Scout, and CMU memorabilia, such as: Masonic plate; CMU miniature cigarette lighter; Masonic penny; Masonic aprons; Medals; CMU Paperweights (2); numerous Pins; Shriner’s (Masonic) Caps; a gavel; and miscellaneous, 1948, 1950, 1963-1974, undated; and Plaques (.5 cubic ft.), 1959, 1964, 1969, 1972-1973, undated, and a Boy Scouts statue, 1943-1945; and Index Cards (1 cubic ft.) to Articles and Photographs of Anspach in CMU’s school newspapers, CSLife, later CMLife, 1939-1959. Oversized Materials (approximately 4 cubic ft.), including photographs and photograph albums, 1905-1972 (scattered), undated, certificates, 1946-1976 (scattered), undated, diplomas, 1920, 1923, a resolution, 1967, posters, undated, a guest book, 1939, and miscellaneous, are housed in three flat boxes

The collection extensively documents President Anspach’s life and activities during his tenure as President of CMU. His activities in peace and religiously oriented organizations, with children’s organizations and causes, the Boy Scouts, Masons, and various educational organizations and issues are well documented. His personal life at Ashland College, CMU, and after his retirement from CMU are documented to a lesser degree in the collection.

Essays by Hepler.

The collection consists of fourteen essays written by Hepler between 1937 and 1980, as well as correspondence relating and reactions to the essays. These essays range in content and style from academic to newspaper feature articles. Topics including ROTC, educational philosophy, Michigan authors, nineteenth century periodicals, and Zimbabwe received serious attention from Hepler. Topics such as fairs in Saginaw (Michigan), the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad Company, pioneer life in Leelanau (Michigan), the steamer Beeghly, as well as his own life, are well researched but less thorough. Photographs of Zimbabwe and research material are also included in the collection.