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William L. Clements Library
@clementslibrary.bsky.social
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The William L. Clements Library collects, preserves, and makes available historical resources about the Americas, with particular strengths in 18th and 19th century American history.

The library is open for research by appointment.

clements.umich.edu
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clementslibrary.bsky.social
Two is always better than one! 👭

Happy #NationalTwinDay to all those who celebrate life side-by-side with their built-in best friend!

📷: ⁨Daguerreotype of two young women posing with song book. [1840s-50s].
⁨Daguerreotype portrait of twin sisters published between 1840 and 1850, titled “Two young women posing with song book.” Case for daguerreotype portrait with brown leather covers, red velvet pad, pebbled octagonal mat, and two hook-and-eye locks.
December 18, 2025 at 3:29 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
On #ThisDayinHistory in 1773, tea was spilled…. Into the Boston Harbor. ☕

The Boston Tea Party was an early moment in the American Revolution against British rule, and is described by Hewes in “A Retrospect of the Boston Tea-Party” ca. 1784.

#AmericanHistory
Title page of “A Retrospect of the Boston Tea-Party with a Memoir of George R. T. Hewes, a survivor of the little band of patriots who drowned the tea in Boston harbour in 1773.” with portrait of George R. T. Hewes from the same book. Background image: Plan of the town of Boston [1784].
December 16, 2025 at 4:06 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
⏳ Just one month left!

Applications for Clements Library fellowships are due one month from today.

Apply by January 15, 2026 for consideration: myumi.ch/qVjr4

#Fellowships #FundedFellowships #ResearchFellowships #UniversityofMichigan #HistoryResearch #AmericanHistory #GoBlue
“Fellowship Applications due one month from today!” Clements Library calendar open to January 2026 with “Fellowship Applications DUE!!!” written over the 15th. Calendar shows portrait of Thomas Paine (1737-1809) engraved by Albert Schule, as well as the cover of a 1776 copy of “Common Sense: Addressed to the Inhabitants of America,” by Thomas Paine, published in Newport by Solomon Southwick.
December 15, 2025 at 7:52 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Today is #NationalHorseDay, a celebration of the impact these beautiful animals have had on American history and culture.

📷: David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series
Image of a black horse, titled “Sherd Rormine and Old Dan horse on Mail rout.” From the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series. Image of a white horse pulling a carriage, titled “[Bath].” From the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series. Image of a black horse pulling a man and carriage, titled “July 2-34, ‘The Old Timers’ of Family Arrive Via. G.T. RY.” From the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series. Image of a horse ride with a crowd observing, titled “Horse Races At Fair Grounds Manistique, Mich.” From the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series.
December 13, 2025 at 9:42 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Graduate student book cataloger Naomi Yu has been churning out catalog records all semester, and these five publications caught her eye! Read on to learn about the adventurous Captain Jack, phrenology in the Clements collections, and famous American counterfeiters.

🔗 myumi.ch/JPyVq
New Books at the Clements: Bandits, Phrenologists, and Counterfeits - UM Clements Library
myumi.ch
December 12, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Reposted by William L. Clements Library
denisekiernan.com
The Battle of Great Bridge was 250 years ago today.
This map—"A view of the Great Bridge near Norfolk in Virginia where the action happened between a detachment of the 14th Regt: & a body of the rebels"—is from the collection @clementslibrary.bsky.social

#history #OTD #ushistory #booksky
hand drawn map of the Battle of Great Bridge
December 10, 2025 at 1:56 AM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
It’s #NationalPastryDay everyone ! 🥐

The New Rumford Bread and Pastry Cook (1893) provides several recipes that includes Rumford Yeast Powder, which they called “the best and most economical baking powder in the world.”

#Baking #CulinaryHistory
Front and back cover of “The New Rumford Bread and Pastry Cook,” compiled by Leida A. Willis ; assisted by Ellen M. Wilsey.⁩ Recipe from “The New Rumford Bread and Pastry Cook” for Plain Cheap Pie Crust and Suet Paste for Meat Pies.
December 9, 2025 at 4:33 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
The Manuscripts Division has published one final batch of finding aids for 2025! As always, these collections are available for anyone to research!

Read about these newly processed collections here: myumi.ch/QwAej
New Manuscript Finding Aids, December 2025 - UM Clements Library
The Manuscripts Division has published one final batch of finding aids for 2025! These materials span a variety of subjects including the Civil War and military history, automobiles, crime, tailoring,...
myumi.ch
December 8, 2025 at 7:06 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Time is running out to see the “For All Ages” exhibit in person! Visit any weekday from 12-4 pm now through December 23, or join us for a guided tour a week from today!

Register now: myumi.ch/P3qz1
“Join us for a guided tour of the U-M Clements Library. Current exhibit: For All Ages. Fall/Winter 2025/26 dates: Dec. 12, Jan. 29 4-5 pm.” Associate Curator of Manuscripts Jayne Ptolemy showing students materials from the Clements collections.
December 5, 2025 at 5:38 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Happy #NationalWildlifeConservationDay 🐅🐒

Now known as the Seney National Wildlife Refuge , the US Wildlife Refuge in Germfask, Michigan is celebrating its 90th birthday later this month!

📷: David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series (myumi.ch/E8k4g)
Postcard of the U.S Wildlife Refuge in Germfask, Michigan. From the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series.
December 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Happy #wrapped day! Here are some adoptable and adopted tunes that have been stuck in our heads lately.

By supporting the Clements Library’s Adopt a Piece of History program, you help fund acquisitions, conservation, digitization, and other important initiatives.
“My Top Songs” graphic in U-M maize and blue. Has four songs listed along with their creator and published date. Hearts on the right hand side of the graphic indicate if the items have been adopted or if they’re awaiting adoption. “Sewing Machine Polka” by Charles Kunkel, 1860 and “Grafted into the Army” by Henry C. Work, 1862 are adopted. “Planters’ House Assembly Waltz” by Francis Johnson, 1844 and “The Air Ship Waltz” by Isaac Doles, 1902 are awaiting adoption.
December 3, 2025 at 5:55 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
HUGE thank you to everyone who made #GivingTuesday such a success! In just one day, we were able to raise over $19,000 from 63 donors! 💙💛

Your contributions will support conservation initiatives across the Clements collections.

Stay tuned!
“$19,000+ raised 63 donors. THANK YOU. for what’s next look to the Clements.” Hands holding an oval miniature portrait of Thomas Gage painted by artist Jeremiah Meyer (1735-1789) on ivory with rose gold rim.
December 3, 2025 at 3:07 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Today, 12/2, you can play a role in preserving the rare items that define our exceptional collections. Hear Conservator Julie Fremuth discuss the importance of conserving these pieces of Americana, and give today to support conserving collections at Clements: myumi.ch/15Jpd #GivingTuesday
Conserving Collections at Clements Library
Join me and make a gift to A Crowdfunding Default
myumi.ch
December 2, 2025 at 3:29 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
#GivingTuesday is only one day away! Your gift tomorrow will support conservation efforts such as the rebinding, stabilization, and rehousing of fragile one-of-a-kind primary sources, making them available now and for future generations.
“Giving Tuesday Tomorrow. For what’s next Look to the Clements.” Background image: Bookshelf with rare books. Foreground: “The Wolverine” from John James Audubon, The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America. 1845-1848.
December 1, 2025 at 7:50 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
It’s #MaizeDay!

🌽: Example of early photo manipulation from the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series.
A man with an enlarged corn cob over his shoulder, titled ‘Sample Ear of Corn Grown near Flint, MI’. From the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series.
November 28, 2025 at 2:46 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
The early trivia game “World’s Educator” (W.S. Reed Toy Co. 1887) utilizes a spinning wheel to point players towards the answers to various questions.

#Trivia
November 25, 2025 at 6:42 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
The Clements Library’s gorgeous architecture has been the subject of many pieces of University of Michigan memorabilia over the years. The building has been depicted in many illustrations, photographs, and, as described in our latest blog post, a plate, tile, and place mat!
Tile depicting the exterior of the William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan.
November 19, 2025 at 4:55 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Each card in the matching game of "Old Maid and Old Bachelor" (1892) features a comical cast of characters, including the pictured Miss Everlasting Piano Thumper, Mr. Greathead, and the titular “Old Maid.”
Playing card from The Game of Old Maid and Old Bachelor” (New York: McLoughlin Bros. 1892) of ‘The Old Maid.” Playing card from "The Game of Old Maid and Old Bachelor” (New York: McLoughlin Bros. 1892) of “Mr. Greathead Inventor.” Playing card from “The Game of Old Maid and Old Bachelor” (New York: McLoughlin Bros. 1892) of “Miss. Everlasting Piano Thumper.” Maroon and gold box for “The Game of Old Maid and Old Bachelor.” New York: McLoughlin Bros. 1892.
November 18, 2025 at 7:01 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Happy #NationalButterDay! 🧈

📷: From the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series.
A horse drawn shipment of butter, titled “One shipment of butter by Tawas Butter Co. 70 tubs, 4550 lbs.” From the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series.
November 17, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Reposted by William L. Clements Library
denisekiernan.com
As it's Sunday, I thought I'd share this print from ca. 1711 titled,
"A nonconformist minister" by artist "Marcellus Larson.
From the fascinating collections @clementslibrary.bsky.social. #history #art #booksky
November 17, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Reposted by William L. Clements Library
umichlibrary.bsky.social
When you acquire a rare atlas from 1570, and it's in rough shape, you call in the experts — the team in our Conservation Lab. Read about the first steps taken to repair Abraham Ortelius’s Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theater of the World). #MapMonday https://myumi.ch/y1ze8
Trina Parks-Matthews works on a page from the Ortelius atlas (Theatrum Orbis Terrarum), leaning over a yellowed page in a water bath.
November 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
“This is me with the old man We are coming to washington if he can steer it straight A nuff so get cofee redey now”

📷: David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series (myumi.ch/E8k4g)

#EarlyPhotography #Montages #Collaging
Collage of photographs creating an image of two men on a blimp, titled “Holland” From the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series. Note written on the back of a postcard reading: “This is me and the old man. We are going to washington if he can steer straight A nuff so get coffee ready now. Good bye.” From the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series.
November 13, 2025 at 3:29 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Spend a day with Clements Associate Curator of Manuscripts, Jayne Ptolemy!

Want to learn more about Jayne’s path to the Clements and the work that she does here? Read the corresponding post on our blog, the Clements Chronicles: myumi.ch/w9eAk
November 12, 2025 at 8:47 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
An early trivia game, “Famous Paintings” (Cincinnati Game Co. 1897), involved players trying to collect sets of paintings or paintings of the same rank. Whoever collects the most cards by naming the paintings is declared the winner.
Box and cards from “Famous paintings” (Cincinnati: Fireside Game Co., Cincinnati Game Co., successors. 1897). Card from “Famous paintings” (Cincinnati: Fireside Game Co., Cincinnati Game Co., successors. 1897) depicting Titian’s “Head of Sleeping Venus.” Card from “Famous paintings” (Cincinnati: Fireside Game Co., Cincinnati Game Co., successors. 1897) depicting Rosa Bonheur’s “On the Alert.” Card from “Famous paintings” (Cincinnati: Fireside Game Co., Cincinnati Game Co., successors. 1897) depicting Raphael’s “Third Hour of the Night.”
November 12, 2025 at 6:25 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
These early flashcards were used to educate children about geography both within and outside of the United States. Cards include information on longitude and latitude, relative location to other landmarks, capital towns, and population.

#ChildrensBookWeek #AmericanHistory #ChildrensEducation
Geographical card of Michigan describing its coordinates, how far the land spans, its capital town, and number of inhabitants. Background image: [1823] map of Michigan Territory created by Fielding Lucas Jr. Geographical card of Brazil and Upper and Lower Canada, describing their coordinates, how far their lands span, their capital towns, and number of inhabitants.
November 8, 2025 at 9:12 PM