Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Background and Analysis (1 linear foot) contains three subseries. Press Coverage is a group of compiled news articles from various periodical publications, including Congressional, economic, educational, mass media, University, and miscellaneous newspapers. This series is arranged alphabetically by type of publication. Political Climate consists of background information regarding the receptiveness towards direct loans by the legislative and executive branches of the government. Student Loans is a collection of reports and position pieces by various student loan stakeholders. This is organized alphabetically by subject addressed.

The series Director's Correspondence, 1898 to 1983 (boxes 1-64, 68-98, 103-106) is by far the largest in the collection and probably provides the greatest research interest. The correspondence covers the tenures of directors Francis W. Kelsey, Charles A. Sink and Gail W. Rector. The Directors' Correspondence series is organized by year and thereunder alphabetically by correspondent. There are occasional exceptions to this, for example, correspondence with or related to the National Association of Concert Managers, 1956-1962, is all filed under 1956 (box 79). This file reflects Charles Sink's important role within that organization.

Certain portions of the correspondence from the Rector years have been sampled, among these are correspondence from contributors, thank you notes from school groups and others receiving complimentary tickets, complaints, and "fan" letters. The large volume of inquiries received annually by Mr. Rector from both agents and performing artists interested in participating in a UMS concert series have not been retained.

Prior to 1941, correspondence regarding the School of Music is also found in this series. In general, however, the early correspondence is of low research value, serving the UMS as a general office file and containing great quantities of routine information about ticket purchases and other predictable concerns.

This series contains correspondence relating to events sponsored under the auspices of the University Musical Society. When attempting to locate artist correspondence in this series, it is recommended that the researcher look under both the artist and agent names. The greater bulk of correspondence with regard to individual artists is handled through the agent, rather than the artist themselves. There are, however, exceptions to this rule.

The Philadelphia Orchestra and May Festival folders contain a large amount of correspondence from conductor Eugene Ormandy, often providing insights into his ideas regarding programming and interpretation of specific works. Correspondence of other May Festival participants can also be found in various May Festival folders. A number of letters from composer Aaron Copland are included in the 1976 folders. He conducted several of his works in that year's May Festival.

Many artists of outstanding international repute are also represented in this series. Vladimir Horowitz gave several performances for the UMS and his correspondence is located in the folders of his agent, Harold Shaw, for the years 1976 and 1978. A list of Horowitz's personal requests for a performance is included, as is correspondence with his wife, Wanda Toscanini Horowitz, who discusses the presentation of a film honoring her father that was to be presented in conjunction with a performance of her husband.

In 1981 Alberto Ginastera was commissioned to write a piano concerto to be premiered by Anthony di Bonaventura at a UMS concert. Correspondence related to this event is located in the Thea Dispeker Artists folder. The 1982 Ann Arbor Summer Festival folder includes transcripts of two interviews Gail Rector conducted with French mime Marcel Marceau.

A large number of artists are represented in the 1983 and 1984 Gail Rector 25th anniversary folders. These are indicative of the relationships Rector established with these artists during his tenure with the University Musical Society.

Probably some of the more surprising correspondence in this collection are a series of letters from Dr. Jack Kevorkian in 1976 and 1977. He was involved in the production of a video of UMS Messiah performances.

As stated above, this collection does not attempt to represent the hundreds of inquiries for performance received by Mr. Rector. However, evidence of the scope of these inquiries can be found in many of the agent folders.

The Director's Files series (1.0 linear foot) is subdivided into three chronological subseries by directorship: Charles Moody, 1991-2001 (0.3 linear feet), Oscar Barbarin, 1989-1999 (0.4 linear feet) and Brent Chrite, 2000-2005 (0.3 linear feet). Within each subseries, topical files are arranged alphabetically. Highlights include the program's initial proposal in the Moody subseries, the 1998 internal review of the program in the Barbarin subseries, and the advisory council materials in the Chrite subseries.

The Director's Files series pertains to the professional leadership activities within the Center for Ethnic and Religious Studies. Claude Jacobs, in particular, was actively involved in the Center and served as the Director of the Pluralism Project.

Materials include correspondence and memoranda, topical files, course files, and collected publications and conference material.

The Director's Office Files, dated 1912-1994, include the Extension Service's annual reports, minutes of the executive committee and staff meetings, financial records, enrollment records, and topical files. Also included are specific reports and surveys and the personal files of the first three directors: William D. Henderson, Charles A. Fisher, and Everett J. Soop. The bulk of material in the Director's Office Files are the Topical Files. There are four separate runs of topical files: 1912-1959, 1959-1972, ca. 1936-1980 and 1950-1994. The topical files are arranged alphabetically. Some of the more important files concern adult education, Extension Service conferences and institutes, civil defense and disaster training, and the Michigan Coordinating Council of State College Field Services.

The Directors' Topical Files (1.5 linear feet) are alphabetically arranged and contain a wide range of subjects relating to the museum. Researchers interested in a general overview of the museum should consult material in the three folders "Histories of the Museum." In addition, brief biographical sketches and obituaries of some past directors and curators may be found in the folders "Biographical Information." The state of the museum at specific points in time can also be gleaned from the folders of occasional "Reports" of directors and curators from 1907 to 1974. These particular reports are not duplicates of reports found in the yearly bound volumes of The President's Report which should also be consulted for reports of the Museum of Zoology. Two important events in the museums history are documented in the following folders: "Name change of museum, 1913" and "Administrative reorganization, 1954-1956."

Those interested in early twentieth-century expeditions organized by the museum should consult "Expeditions" and folders for specific expeditions within this folder group. In general, these folders contain information on the planning of expeditions, some correspondence during these trips, and newspaper accounts. However, few detailed reports on the results of any expeditions are included.

Architectural historians and others interested in the construction of the 1928 museum buildings will find only a few blueprints and limited correspondence in the "Museum Building" folders. However, more detailed reports and correspondence exist in these folders regarding the 1963 addition to the museum building. For additional information on the design of the museum building, researchers should consult the Alexander Ruthven collection which is also in the Bentley Library.

Over the years, various properties were acquired by the university for the purpose of teaching and research in the natural sciences. Those interested in the acquisition of and research conducted at these Michigan sites should consult the following folders: "George Reserve (Pinkney)"; "Missaukee Preserve (Lake City)"; and "Sharon Hollow Woods (Washtenaw County)." Information on other properties, such as Stinchfield Woods (Ann Arbor) and Mud Lake Bog (Washtenaw County) may be found in the folders "University Committee on Lands."

Finally, a thirty-four page handwritten description of the National Museum Building in Washington, D.C. at the time of inauguration in 1881 (author unknown) is a document of special historical interest. This manuscript includes commentary on the proper arrangement of a natural history museum in the nineteenth century as well as description of the building. It may be found in the folder "National Museum Building."