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HIST 4016: History of Material Life : Artifacts in American History

Local Libraries and Museums

WMU Special Collections & Rare Books

The Special Collections and Rare Books area has many unique resources that you may find useful.  For example, if you are researching anything to do with children, you might want to look at some of the historical children's periodicals they have:  Our Young Folks (1865-1870) or St. Nicholas (1873-1890 in Rare Books, and 1891-1939 in storage).  You can always email them, explain your topic, and ask if there are any resources that might match.  The contact information is in the link below.

An Example of What You Will Find at the Archives

The Western Michigan University 1923 freshman women's basketball team.  The basketball is marked 1924--perhaps they were looking forward to the coming season?

(Courtesy Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections)

WMU Archives & Regional History Collections

The WMU Archives & Regional History Collections contains many artifacts, photographs, and other materials about WMU, Kalamazoo, and southwest Michigan history.  You can visit them in historic East Hall--the first building on WMU's campus.  The email contacts are listed in the link below.

Meet Your Librarian

Profile Photo
Carrie Leatherman
She/Her
Librarian:
Office: Waldo Library Room 1048 (First Floor)
Office Phone: (269) 387-5142