Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

The Bentley Historical Library (BHL) houses the Michigan Historical collections, which documents the history of Michigan; and the University Archives and Records Program, which maintains the historical records of the University of Michigan. Founded in 1935 as the Michigan Historical Collections, directors of the library include Lewis G. Vander Velde, F. Clever Bald, Robert M. Warner and Francis X. Blouin, Jr. The publications include annual reports, bulletins, bibliographies, newsletters, and books produced by the BHL using its holdings

The PUBLICATIONS (3.7 linear feet) are divided into two series: Unit Publications and Sub-Unit Publications.

The Unit Publications series contains complete runs of the Bentley Historical Library publications. These include annual reports, 1935-2012 (except for 1989-1990 and 1997-2004, when no annual reports were published). The Unit Publications series also includes brochures, calendars, exhibit programs and manuals such as the University Archives and Records Program Records Policy and Procedures Manual. There is a complete run of topical resource bibliographies including the Bibliographic Series (No. 1-11) dating from 1973 to 1988 and the Guide Series written starting in 1996. In 2001 a guide to holdings relating to Detroit was published. The Unit Publications series includes a comprehensive collection of bibliographies such as the Guide to Manuscripts in the Bentley Historical Library published in 1976 and a bibliography of works derived using the holdings in the Bentley Historical Library, 1935-2010, issued as the Bentley celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2010. The Bulletin Series is a series of booklets largely written on Michigan or University of Michigan topics using Bentley Library collections and record groups as source material. This series began in 1947 and continues to the present.

The Unit Publications series contains monographs published by or in conjunction with the Bentley Historical Library. This eclectic subseries includes a biography of Ann Allen written by Russell Bidlack, a history of the Detroit observatory by Patricia Whitesell, and an updated edition of Howard Peckham's history of the University of Michigan. There have been two newsletters published by the unit, the Michigan Historical Collection Gazette published from 1967 to 1988 and the Bentley Historical Library which began publication in 1989 and continues to the present.

The Sub-Unit Publications series contains undated brochures from the Friends of the Bentley Historical Library.

Research papers on topics relating to Michigan history and the history of the University of Michigan written by students in the History Department Undergraduate Honors Program.

Member of Medical Corps, 310th Engineers, U.S. Army who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes letter and songs relating to the Polar Bear expedition to Archangel.

The papers include a short reminiscence and several songs Bruce composed about the campaign.

Soldier from Cleveland, Ohio, member of 167th Transportation Corps who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes roster of members, transcript of military record, and miscellanea.

The papers include a roster of the 167th Co., a transcript of Russell's military record, and miscellanea.

Photographs of memorial ceremonies at the Polar Bear Memorial in White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery, Troy, Michigan.

The collection contains photographs from unknown sources and includes scenes of the burial of the bodies returned in 1929 and memorial services at the Polar Bear Memorial at White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery.

Soldier from Frankfurt, Mich., member of Co. M, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes diary and reminiscences relating to his trip to Russia in 1929 to recover the bodies of members of the Archangel Expedition killed and buried in the Soviet Union.

The papers contain a diary, July-Oct. 1929, describing the search for bodies, memories of the Russian people about the American soldiers, living conditions, and his memories of the area; and a typescript reminiscence, 1969, describing his mission, problems with the Russian authorities, the return of the bodies, and the reinterment ceremony at White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery.

Two oversize photographs (original and copy) depicting Company A, 339th United States Infantry, which served in the Allied intervention in Northern Russia, 1918-1919, also known as the "Polar Bear Expedition." The original photograph was taken in June 1919 in Brest, France when the Company returned from Russia.

Member of Co. G, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes partial transcript of interview recounting his experiences with the Polar Bear Expedition; and miscellanea collected at the time of the expedition.

The tapes contain two interviews conducted in Dec. 1971 by Sheldon Annis, in which Salchow describes his general memories of the campaign, the Russian people, Archangel, relations with British and French troops, his experiences at Camp Custer, machine gun training, army food, the mutiny of Co. I, and the morale of the troops. A partial transcript of one of the interviews is included in the papers, along with issues of The Trident, published aboard the U.S.S. Von Steuben while returning from Russia, six post cards of Archangel scenes, and some Russian money.

Member of Co. A, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes clippings relating to the campaign, post cards of Archangel and France, and a YMCA Russian phrase book.

The papers contain clippings regarding the 339th Infantry's arrival in France, June 1919, and later clippings regarding the return of bodies and the campaign in general. Also included are post cards of Archangel and France and a YMCA Russian phrase book.

Member of Co. K, 339th U.S. Infantry who served in the Allied intervention in Russia, 1918-1920, the "Polar Bear Expedition." Collection includes citation from French government for bravery in combat in 1918; and photographs.

A photocopy of a citation for bravery from the French government and photographs taken at the ceremonies at White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery during which the bodies of American soldiers returned from Russia were reinterred.