Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Founded in 1865, the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Ann Arbor has a history of social activism and involvement with the University of Michigan community. The records contain church files and annual reports, sermons and correspondence of church ministers, and church publications--including the weekly newsletter. The papers also include materials of minister Kenneth Phifer regarding his views on assisted suicide and Jack Kevorkian, and also the issue of racial justice with the Ku Klux Klan rallies in Michigan.

The records of the First Unitarian-Universalist Church of Ann Arbor have been divided into seven series: Church History, Record Books; Church Reports; Yearly Files; Church Publications; Topical Files; and Ministers' Files.

Masonic lodge founded in 1869 in Ann Arbor, Michigan; minutes, membership records, and other administrative materials.

The records of the Fraternity Lodge, No. 262 cover the period between 1869 and 2003. The record group consists primarily of minutes, correspondence, financial records, rulebooks, membership records, petitions, and questionnaires. The records are arranged into three series: Meeting Minutes, Administrative, and Membership.

The records of the Golden Rule Lodge No. 159, Ann Arbor, Michigan include minutes of the special and regular meetings of the lodge, membership materials, by-laws, and some financial records. Included is a volume of memorial programs for past state grand masters.

Ann Arbor, Michigan attorney, counsel to U.S. Congressional committees, and Republican Congressman, 1951-1965. Correspondence files concerning work with the Senate Committee Investigating the National Defense Program after World War II, and Congressional files, especially concerning his work with the House Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Government Operations; also photographs and motion picture films.

The George Meader papers primarily document his Congressional service from 1951 to 1964. There are some materials documenting his personal and professional life aside from his work in Congress. The papers relating to Congressional service include correspondence, speeches, campaign literature, texts of radio broadcasts, press releases and newsletters, photographs, and sound recordings. The other materials include memoirs, diaries, correspondence and memoranda, case files, photographs and film, scrapbooks, and correspondence regarding organizations to which Meader belonged and relating to the opening of his Ann Arbor law practice in 1939. Also included in the Meader papers are the diaries, notebooks, and student papers of his daughter, Barbara.

The collection has been divided into five series: the National Defense Investigating Committee, Congressional Files, Personal, Professional, and Visual Materials. The first two series cover Meader's professional activities in Washington, D. C., including what he saw as crucial work on the Truman committee. The original order of material in these series has been pretty much maintained. The next two series, Personal and Professional, reflect the artifice of the archivist as the original order of materials in the groups was significantly altered in the course of processing.

Veteran of World War II, later commander of Erwin Prieskorn Post No. 46 of the American Legion, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Subject files relating to veterans activities and his involvement in issues of concern to veterans; minutes of meetings of Ann Arbor, Michigan, post of the American Legion; and scrapbook of American Legion Post No. 46 containing letters from servicemen in Vietnam and photographs of post activities; also other photographs and videotapes.

The George W. Harms collection has been arranged into four series: Biographical; Topical Files; American Legion Post No. 46; and Visual Materials. Most of the collection relates to his activities with the Ann Arbor American Legion post and with veterans affairs in general. Post No. 46 materials includes minutes, correspondence, a scrapbook, and some newspaper clippings dating from 1968 to 1988. The issues of concern to veterans and to Harms included government policies and procedures concerning soldiers listed as missing in action and relationships with their families, Veterans Administration policies toward disabled soldiers, veterans' benefits for survivors of soldiers killed in action, and anti-war protests in Ann Arbor in the 1960s.

Ann Arbor, Michigan independent non-denominational church; annual reports, constitution, doctrinal statements, minutes, bulletins, newsletters, and miscellaneous.

The records include administrative files, topical files, women's groups, publication, and other materials. The administrative records series includes annual reports, minutes of the executive committee, and of congregational meetings.

Landscape architect, professor of landscape architecture at the University of Michigan. Files relating to various Michigan projects, notably in Ann Arbor, Hartland, Hillsdale, and Highland Park; subject files on professional activities; and photographs.

The papers of Harlow O. Whittemore have been divided into the following series: Projects; Topical Files; Family Papers; and Photographs.

Established in 1986 in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, Michigan as Wellness Networks, Inc.-Huron Valley, the organization provides HIV and AIDS related services and information. The name of the organization was changed to HIV/AIDS Resource Center in 1993. Board meeting minutes and agendas, correspondence and memoranda, activity files, newspaper articles, and related records.

The record group is split into two series: The Wellness Networks, Inc. -- Huron Valley series and the HIV/AIDS Resource Center (HARC). The first series consists of records such as meeting minutes, bylaws, press releases, and financial statements, and they document the establishment and the early period of the organization. The second series consist of board meeting minutes, outreach activity plans, speakers' schedules, and committee activities.

The Collection includes miscellaneous manuscript material, postcards, posters, and photographs. Subjects include Michigan railroads, the University of Michigan, Michigan history.

The collection includes materials related to Michigan street railroads and the Ann Arbor Train and Trolley Watchers; letter of Ernest Wilby, 1935, describing his career as an architect and his association with Albert Kahn; records of Ann Arbor Pediatric Associates, 1972-1986; and photographs.

Copy prints of photographs relating to the interurban line between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti and other Michigan street railroads; photos of the electric cars, the power plant and office, and related pictures; collection of turn-of-the-century photographs, perhaps of the Staebler family of Ann Arbor, Michigan; outdoor group activities, circus parade, and exterior views of Staebler business establishments; also collection of glass negatives including photos of potato farming and St. Clair Flats. Postcards include images of the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus, as well as locations throughout the state.

Independent ecumenical church established in 1985 to minister to the gay and lesbian community of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Administrative and topical files include correspondence, newsletters and news clippings, church bulletins, and subject files detailing church activities; also scattered records of Metropolitan Christian Church, 1984-1985, some of whose members established Huron Valley Community Church.

The records of Huron Valley Community Church are organized in a single alphabetical series of Administrative and Topical Files. The Administrative file, 1986-1994, provides insight into some of the special challenges faced by an alternative congregation, specifically the availability of suitable worship facilities. Information about Church functions and social activities may be found in the Program files, 1986-1994 and in the Church Sponsored Trip to Washington D.C. file, 1993. Newspaper Clippings, 1987-1994, are a rich source for information on subjects affecting the gay and lesbian community in Ann Arbor. Detailed information about efforts to combat the proposed amendment to the Michigan Constitution limiting legal protection for gay males and lesbians is available in the Constitutional Amendment file, 1993-1994. In addition, the Other Local Gay Groups files, 1985-1994, provide a glimpse of related organizations and activities in Michigan.