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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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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
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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
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⏳ 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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#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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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“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
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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
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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
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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
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Dame Trot and Her Comical Cat (1851) illustrates a woman coming home to find her feline companion engaging in human-like activities. Each scenario is presented with a hand-colored wood engraving accompanying a short poem describing the behavior. #ChildrensBookWeek
Cover of Dame Trot and her Comical Cat, published by John Q. Preble between 1851 and 1862. Short poem from Dame Trot and her Comical Cat [ca. 1851-1862] reading “Old dame Trot / Going to the fair, / With her cat on her shoulder, / To see the folks there.” Hand-colored wood engraving of a cat riding a dog from Dame Trot and her Comical Cat [ca. 1851-1862]. A page of Dame Trot and her Comical Cat [ca. 1851-1862] with hand-colored wood engraving of a cat playing the fiddle to mice, reading “She trotted once more, / For brandy and gin, / When she came back, / She was sat down to spin. / She went to buy apples, / And sugar and spice, / When she came back, Puss was fiddling to mice.”
November 7, 2025 at 5:38 PM
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“Metamorphosis, or a Transformation of Pictures with Poetical Explanations for the Amusement of Young Persons” (1807) is a unique and interactive children’s book, featuring folding pages that transform images and tell a story with religious and moral themes. #ChildrensBookWeek
November 6, 2025 at 4:16 PM
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Step by Step, or, Tidy’s Way to Freedom (1862) follows the story of a young enslaved girl named Tidy, and her mother, Annie. Through the hardships of slavery and all that she faces, Tidy is a symbol of hope throughout the story.

#ChildrensBookWeek #AmericanHistory #AfricanAmericanHistory
Artwork inside “Step by Step; or Tidy’s Way to Freedom,” (1862) depicting a mother and child. Title page of “Step by Step; or Tidy’s Way to Freedom,” (1862) with a poem written by Whittier: “Woe to all who grind / Their brethren of a common Father down! / To all who plunder from the immortal mind / It’s bright and glorious crown !” Chapter 1 of “Step by Step; or Tidy’s Way to Freedom,” (1862). Excerpt reading “My Dear Children, – All of you who read this little book have doubtless heard more or less of slavery. You know it is the system by which a portion of our people hold their fellow-creatures as property, and doom them to perpetual servitude. It is a hateful and accursed institution, which God can not look upon but with abhorrence, and which no one of his children should for a moment tolerate.”
November 5, 2025 at 8:24 PM
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Dolly at the Seaside ABC (1907) is a die cut children’s book illustrating a young girl on the beach with her beloved dolls. Accompanying each illustration is a short poem describing fun activities such as swimming, singing songs, and taking naps with its associated letter.

#ChildrensBookWeek
“Dolly at the Seaside ABC” (1907) die cut book in the shape of a doll. Title page of “Dolly at the Seaside ABC” (1907) featuring the signature of Annie S Ruth. Page from “Dolly at the Seaside ABC” (1907) with an illustration of a lobster. “L for surly Lobster who’ll nip you if he can. Daisy saw the Lobster and off with Dolly ran. M for Morning bathing when all so smooth and calm, - Dolly’s made of china so she can take no harm.” Page from “Dolly at the Seaside ABC” (1907) with an illustration of a girl losing her hat in the wind. “W for Wind which takes Dolly’s hat of straw.”
November 4, 2025 at 7:57 PM
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Today marks the start of Children’s Book Week! Follow along for a unique piece of historical children’s literature every day.

The Cries of New-York (1830) illustrates peddlers roaming the streets trying to sell goods such as strawberries, milk, radishes, baked pears, and more in rhyming sequences.
Title page of ‘The Cries of New York.’ (1830). Page 7 of ‘The Cries of New York.’ (1830), “Milk, Here’s Mileck! Mileck! / Milk! Milk! This is a morning cry, / And an addition sweet; / To Tea or Coffee and to little boys, / A very pleasant treat.” Page 1 of ‘The Cries of New York.’ (1830), ‘Strawberries / Do you want any strawberries?/ Around the town I yearly bear, / The first of Springs sweet berries; / And thus to all announce my ware, / “Come buy my fine strawberries.” Page 8 of ‘The Cries of New York.’ (1830), “Sweet Potatoes, Carolina Potatoes Here’s your fine Carolina’s / Sweet Potatoes Carolina Potatoes. / Just from the warmer south; / Roasted or boiled no equal they have. / Sweetly they taste to the mouth.”
November 3, 2025 at 9:01 PM
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Last night we had the pleasure of attending the premiere of “Sex Radical,” a docu-drama on early feminist and sex educator Ida Craddock.

Not only did filmmaker Andy Kirshner conduct research at the Clements Library, but portions of the film were shot in our beautiful Norton Strange Townshend Room!
Theater with promotional screen for the film “Sex Radical” showing, with filmmaker Andy Kirshner speaking to the crowd.
October 31, 2025 at 6:42 PM