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Student papers written for courses in architectural history research, mainly about Michigan architects, buildings and communities.

The records consist of student papers prepared for courses in the University of Michigan College of Architecture and Design (later Architecture and Urban Planning), primarily for classes in architectural history research; topics concern the architecture of specific Michigan communities, the architecture of historical buildings and homes, and studies of types of structures in Michigan; papers include historical description and appended visual material. Many of the papers include photos, postcards, and other illustrations relating to the architecture of specific Michigan communities, prominent historical buildings and houses in the state, and types of structures

The Detroit Observatory, an astronomical observatory on the campus of the University of Michigan, was the vision of University of Michigan President Henry Philip Tappan. He recognized the need for institutions of higher education to pursue scientific endeavors. Built in 1854, the Detroit Observatory was named after the Detroit residents who helped finance the building project. Extensive restoration work of the Observatory was completed in 1999.

The Detroit Observatory record group includes administrative materials of the Observatory's later years (post-1994), including documentation on the Observatory's restoration project and materials encompassing the Observatory's publicity and outreach efforts. The collection also contains various historical documents and artifacts such as logbooks and records, photographs and other visual materials, motion pictures, architectural drawings, and publications. The collection includes all of the documents, artifacts, and records transferred to the Bentley Historical Library in 2005. Materials not physically transferred to the Bentley that remain in the Observatory (such as telescopes, clocks, and associated astronomical devices) have not been identified here, but documentation can be found listed in the various inventories and databases found in the administrative series.

This collection contains the following series: Administrative, Publicity and Outreach, Research, Historical, and Publications.

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.

Office overseeing administration of research activity at the University of Michigan. Includes miscellaneous annual reports, brochures, budgets, directories, flyers, histories, invitations, manuals, newsletters, programs, policy statements, and reports. Also includes publications from the Center for Human Growth and Development, Center for the Study of Complex Systems, the Detroit Observatory, Institute for Research on Women and Gender, Jerome B. Wiesner Symposium, Planning Committee on the Merger, and the Substance Abuse Center.

The Office of Research Publications (3.4 linear feet and 145.7 MB ) include annual reports, brochures, budgets, bulletins, ephemera, manuals, newsletters, policy statements, and reports. These publications are divided into two series: Unit Publications and Sub-Unit Publications. The bulk of the publications document the Office of the Vice President for Research, the Center for Human Growth and Development, the Detroit Observatory, and the University of Michigan Substance Abuse Center (UMSAC) which became the University of Michigan Substance Abuse Research Center (UMSARC). Other sub-units under the jurisdiction of the Office of Vice President for Research include the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Project, University of Michigan Division of Research Development and Administration, University of Michigan Institute of Gerontology, and University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. For publications from these units the researcher should consult their publications finding aids.

Records, 1907-1996, of Plant Extension Services, liaison unit concerned with the monitoring of new construction projects and the expansion and renovation of existing buildings at the University of Michigan. Minutes of construction meetings, summary financial statements, site and building plans and proposals, blueprints, and visual materials; including files relating to the Detroit Observatory and the Natural Science Building; include undated sketch of North Campus, unsigned, but attributed to Eero Saarinen.

Plant Extension office records include detailed minutes of construction meetings, monthly reports, summary financial statements, site and building plans and proposals, and blueprints. The material is arranged alphabetically, usually by building name. Among the blueprints are files relating to the Detroit Observatory and the Natural Science Building and an undated sketch of North Campus, unsigned, but attributed to Eero Saarinen