Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

John F. Kennedy Whistle Stop Tour of Michigan includes negatives taken by Giltrow while covering Kennedy's campaign visit to Michigan for the Michigan Daily. Giltrow traveled with Kennedy's entourage of photographers and journalists on the whistle stop tour which was to travel through Jackson, Albion, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids before finishing at Lansing. This was reportedly the only whistle stop train tour of Kennedy's campaign. Michigan Governor G. Mennen Williams

Kennedy flew to Michigan following the televised debate with Richard M. Nixon, and landed at Willow Run Airport on October 13, 1960. Kennedy eventually made his way to the Michigan Union after midnight where he was greeted by thousands of students and supporters prompting an impromptu speech on the steps of the Union where he introduced the idea of the Peace Corps. On October 14, Kennedy left the Union and embarked on a train trip across Michigan. The negatives document Kennedy's speech at the Michigan Union, the crowd awaiting Kennedy, and his departure later that morning.

Several negatives of the whistle stop train trip document campaign stops in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. A reproduction of Kennedy's Michigan itinerary is included. It details times and anticipated schedules for Kennedy and his entourage.