Collections

Alexander H. Stephens (1812-1883) was a Georgia lawyer, politician and Vice President of the Confederate States of America.

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society was founded in 1902 by W.W. Root. Material relates to the history, organization, membership, meetings and publications. A large portion of the collection pertain to the different chapters of the Society.

The Benjamin and Julia Stockton Rush papers include letters, writings, financial records, a few legal documents and one educational record. Benjamin Rush's personal and professional outgoing letters, with some incoming letters, cover a wide variety of topics, but focus primarily on medical concerns, particularly the 1793 and other yellow fever epidemics in Philadelphia, as well as mental illness and its treatment, and the medical department of the Continental Army. There are a few letters from others to Julia Stockton Rush that seek to continue ties with her and the Rush family or offer condolences following Benjamin's death. Collection also contains a medical case book and a fragment of an essay or lecture written by Benjamin Rush, along with his travel diary for a trip to meet with the Board of Trustees for Dickinson College in 178[4]; other writings include Julia Rush's devotional journal and exercise book. The financial records include a few statements and receipts, but primarily contain two account books, one maintained by Benjamin Rush, the other by Rush with his wife. These account books provide a complete picture of the family finances from the period before the couple married, almost to Julia's death. Legal documents include a sworn statement and a land patent, and there is an educational record for one of Rush's students.

The collection contains photographs of Wayne County, Michigan. Included are numerous urban scenes and images of everyday life, primarily in the Metropolitan Detroit area between 1860 and the mid-20th century. The bulk of the photographs were taken between 1890 and 1930. A very wide range of topics is represented, among them commercial and residential architecture, urban infrastructure, public and private spaces, civic and domestic activities, individual and group portraits, and events from across the social spectrum.

Mary McCornack Thompson was an American Presbyterian missionary who spent over forty years (1889-1932) traveling and teaching in South Africa and Rhodesia. The collection contains diaries, and a few letters. Main subjects are missionary life and travel in Africa. Materials range in date between 1887-1962.

Peter Sparling is Professor of Dance at the University of Michigan School of Music. Well known as both performer and choreographer, he has danced with Martha Graham and Jose Limon. Papers consist of materials relating to Sparling's dance training, performance, and teaching including background materials; choreography notes and sketches; correspondence; clippings and publicity from dance companies with whom he was associated; programs and reviews; photographs, video and film of performances; and posters.

Re-Imagining is an ecumenical, radical, Christian movement focused on creating ways of understanding Womanist, Feminist, Mujerista, and Asian Feminist theologies, and opening spaces for dialogue with the church, diverse religious communities, and the world. Eighty-two audio files comprise an oral history project by Sherry E. Jordon with 73 participants in the Re-Imagining conferences, including the first gathering in 1993, Re-Imagining: A Global Theological Conference By Women: For Men and Women. Additionally, 127 mp3 files and 79 audiocassettes comprising Re-Imagining conference sessions and rituals from gatherings in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, and 2000, as well as three linear feet of papers documenting Jordon's work with Re-Imagining.

The 105 letters in this collection document the experience of a German Jewish family in the years immediately before, during, and shortly after World War II. Nathan and Johannna Rosenberg of Breisach, Germany, had three sons: Julius (1900-1942), Eugen (1901-1964), and Alfred (1911-2005). Eugen left for Palestine in 1935. Alfred, with his wife and her parents immigrated to the United States in August 1938. Most of the letters were written to Alfred by his brothers, his parents, and other relatives between 1938 and 1946. Most of the letters are from Julius, Emmy, Nathan, and Johanna; some of these they wrote from the labor camp in Gurs to which many Jews in Breisach were deported in October 1940. Contains typewritten transcriptions (German) and English translations for most letters.

Ruth Ellis of Detroit, Michigan was well known in the Gay community as the oldest known African American Lesbian. She was a business woman, owned a printing company, and held social gatherings at her home at a time when there were few opportunities for Gay African Americans to gather. During the last twenty years of her life she was active in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community and in the Senior Citizens movement. The collection contains correspondence, photographs, and publications.