Collecting Priorities

Michigan Historical Collections is responsible for collecting material related to the history of the state of Michigan. MHC collecting priorities are periodically reviewed and adjusted, in conjunction with ongoing collection assessment efforts. As of 2023, the MHC currently concentrates collecting efforts in the following topical areas:  

• African American and Black history.

• The effects of COVID-19.

• Environmental history.

• Gender.

• LGBTQ+ history. 

• Mass incarceration.

• Michigan politics.

• Substance use and abuse.

• Women's history.

In addition to these priorities, MHC remains open to the consideration of material with great research potential in any area of Michigan's history. If you have an idea for a new collecting area, please contact the Johanna Meijer Magoon Principal Archivist (public link).

In documenting the University of Michigan, the Bentley's University Archives team seeks to preserve "all records, regardless of their form, prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by administrators, faculty acting in administrative capacities, and staff of university units in the performance of an official function" (SPG 601.08 (public link).  

In practical terms, this refers to significant records generated by administrative and academic units, committees, commissions, and governance organizations that document university-related business, functions, or activities such as teaching, research, and overall administration. 

The Bentley also gather records that document student life, the university’s athletic and cultural events, and alumni activities. Select university faculty, staff, students, and alumni have also donated their personal and professional papers to the library.