Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Statewide organization established in part to create an awareness of Michigan's cultural heritage and architectural history and to encourage the preservation and stewardship of important state historic resources. Records document the administration and programs of the Network, including conferences, publications, training sessions, and awards given for local preservation achievements.

These records were assembled and processed in 2004 in preparation for a conference marking the organization's 25th anniversary. The records are organized in five series corresponding to the creators of the records.

Architectural drawings of the firm of Z.T. Gerganoff, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, (and predecessor firms of R.S. Gerganoff and S.T. Gerganoff). Drawings and specifications for various area churches, service stations and auto dealerships, the Washtenaw County Building, the Ypsi-Ann Building, and miscellaneous businesses and private residences.

The Z. T. Gerganoff records represent a small portion of the firms output. In 1983, the firm's offices at 206 N. Washington in Ypsilanti were sold, and its records offered to the Michigan Historical Collections. Many of the records had been scattered or destroyed over the years, due to the firm's need for space and its practice of returning records to clients after the completion of a job.

Of the records remaining in the office in July 1983, the Michigan Historical Collections accessioned architectural drawings and specifications relating to churches, service stations and auto dealerships, the Washtenaw County Building, Washtenaw Country Club clubhouse, and a few other buildings, along with miscellaneous renderings of residences, apartment buildings, and businesses. Left at the office to be destroyed were drawings of other county courthouses and schools. Drawings of many Ypsilanti buildings had been donated to the Ypsilanti Historical Museum, and drawings of Eastern Michigan University buildings had been turned over to the University.

This record group consists of architectural drawings for 56 of Gerganoff's projects and a smaller series of specifications for two projects. The architectural drawings series is composed of three subseries: churches; service stations and auto dealerships; and other buildings. Within each subseries, buildings are arranged by location and then chronologically (by job number), with undated and miscellaneous material at the end.