Clarke Historical Library

Clarke Historical Library Official page of the Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University -- a library and archives with Michigan/CMU history and children's literature.

Today is Juneteenth, a holiday which marks the anniversary of Union soldiers arriving in Galveston, Texas on this day in...
06/19/2026

Today is Juneteenth, a holiday which marks the anniversary of Union soldiers arriving in Galveston, Texas on this day in 1865 to notify enslaved people of their freedom. This year, CMU is celebrating Juneteenth by highlighting “History That Lives.” In service of that theme, the Clarke is featuring the work of letterpress printer Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr.

Kennedy’s work boldly and passionately presents his messages of social justice and the power of Black printing. The Clarke has several of Kennedy’s prints in our collections, including his Juneteenth poster seen here from 2005. We are also fortunate to have a copy of Kennedy’s 2024 book “Citizen Printer.” Today, Kennedy operates his letterpress print shop, Kennedy Prints!, in Detroit.

The World Cup starts today, and Isaac Fancher is fired up! Although none of the players in this year’s tournament are fr...
06/11/2026

The World Cup starts today, and Isaac Fancher is fired up!

Although none of the players in this year’s tournament are from the Mitten State, Michigan is the birthplace of three previous World Cup players: Cobi Jones (Detroit; 1994, 1998, 2002), Alexi Lalas (Birmingham; 1994, 1998), and Brian Maisonneuve (Warren; 1998).

Tell us in the comments—who are you rooting for?

This Thursday, June 11, Isabella County Government - Parks and Recreation are hosting a rededication celebration for the...
06/09/2026

This Thursday, June 11, Isabella County Government - Parks and Recreation are hosting a rededication celebration for the 25th anniversary of the Pere Marquette Rail Trail. If you're in the area, go check it out and support some local Isabella County history in the making!

Summer is here, which means that it’s construction season at CMU! Be on the lookout over the next couple of months for o...
06/08/2026

Summer is here, which means that it’s construction season at CMU! Be on the lookout over the next couple of months for our university and city construction crews, who are hard at work repairing our beautiful campus.

Pictured is the Park Library building during its 1999-2001 renovation. This overhaul resulted in the 120,000 square foot circular addition that is now home, in part, to the Clarke Historical Library. For more information about existing and demolished buildings on campus, check out the Clarke’s webpage about the history of CMU: https://www.cmich.edu/research/clarke-historical-library/explore-collection/explore-online/cmu-history

Our friends at WCMU Public Media recently released a three-part "Central Focus" series in remembrance of Dr. Robert Kohr...
06/05/2026

Our friends at WCMU Public Media recently released a three-part "Central Focus" series in remembrance of Dr. Robert Kohrman. Prof. Kohrman had an unquenchable passion for books, periodicals, and ephemera about angling and outdoors sports, and he shared that passion with the Clarke Historical Library, helping us to build a world-class collection of angling materials.

Listen to the program on the WCMU site:
https://www.wcmu.org/show/central-focus/2026-06-03/central-focus-a-conversation-leads-to-more-stories-on-robert-khorman

Pictured are Professor Kohrman with one of the books from the Clarke's collection and an illustration of a grayling fish.

Each year since 1973, the campus of Central Michigan University welcomes thousands for the Special Olympics Michigan Sta...
05/29/2026

Each year since 1973, the campus of Central Michigan University welcomes thousands for the Special Olympics Michigan State Summer Games. Athletes and their families from across the Great Lakes State are in Mt. Pleasant this weekend to share in the empowerment, joy, and camaraderie that the SOMI State Summer Games provide.

Pictured here are photos from 20 years ago, in 2006, showing the athletes, supporters, and volunteers during the opening ceremonies, torch lighting, volleyball, and bocce events!

In late 2025, the Michigan legislature passed a law to honor the men and boys who fought as part of Company K First Mich...
05/27/2026

In late 2025, the Michigan legislature passed a law to honor the men and boys who fought as part of Company K First Michigan Sharpshooters. Company K was made up primarily of Odawa and Ojibwe men and boys from northern Michigan, like William "Chid" Duvernay, pictured here, who was actually part of Co. B. of the First Michigan Sharpshooters. The 2025 law renamed a stretch of M-22 in Leelanau in honor of Company K, and today was the dedication ceremony.

The text of the law is below:

"Michigan Compiled Laws: 250.1108 'Company K Indian Veterans 1st Michigan Sharpshooters Civil War Memorial Highway'.

"Sec. 108.

"The portion of highway M-22 in Leelanau County beginning at the intersection of highway M-22 and North Stallman Road and continuing north to the intersection of highway M-22 and North Putnam Road shall be known as the 'Company K Indian Veterans 1st Michigan Sharpshooters Civil War Memorial Highway'."

Our friends at WCMU Public Media have a new episode of with David Nicholas that you will want to listen to!Carrie Mars...
05/21/2026

Our friends at WCMU Public Media have a new episode of with David Nicholas that you will want to listen to!

Carrie Marsh and Bryan Whitledge of the Clarke joined David in the studio for the first episode of a multipart series about Dr. Robert "Bob" Kohrman's world-class collection of books, periodicals, art, and more about angling, sporting, and conservation That collection is now part of the Clarke's holdings, making the Clarke a premier destination for those interested in the history of angling, fish culture, outdoor sports, and conservation.

Dr. Kohrman passed away in April, and this remembrance recounts the first question that sparked his interest and led to his decades-long quest to collect rare sporting books and periodicals--Why is the city of Grayling named Grayling if there aren't any grayling fish there?

Read or listen to the story on the WCMU site:
https://www.wcmu.org/show/central-focus/2026-05-20/central-focus-remembering-robert-kohrman-part-1

Are you curious about what was happening around , Mich., back on Friday, May 15, 1914? We've got the answer from :Cheb...
05/15/2026

Are you curious about what was happening around , Mich., back on Friday, May 15, 1914? We've got the answer from :

Cheboygan was going to get a local "salting station" plant of the Budlong Pickle Company (carrying on the tradition of Michigan being the leading pickle state in the country!). And the boys on the high school basketball team were going to receive their "Block C" that afternoon.

https://digmichnews.cmich.edu/?a=d&d=CheboyganCD19140515-01.1.4&e=-------en-10--1--txt-txIN----------

Get all of the latest (well, the latest back 112 years ago) news from across the state of Michigan on the Digital Michigan Newspapers site.

Address

250 E. Preston Street
Mount Pleasant, MI
48859

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19897743864

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Clarke Historical Library posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to Clarke Historical Library:

Shortcuts

Share