Libraries releases new digital collections featuring historical photographs, rare manuscripts and oral histories

Contact: Sara Volmering
November 12, 2024

The University Libraries is excited to announce the release of three new digital collections and additions to three historical photograph collections.  

While many of the items we digitize belong to the Libraries, we also help students, faculty and community organizations to preserve and make their projects accessible through our digital platforms. Digitizing collections helps preserve these unique, historical and cultural heritage items and make them available to researchers worldwide.

Our new and extended digital collections include:

  • from our Special Collections.
  • , courtesy of Dr. Li Xiang.  
  • , in collaboration with the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.
  • (extended).
  • (extended).
  • (extended).

Palm Leaf Manuscripts

Palm leaf manuscript from Western Michigan Libraries Special Collections.
Palm Leaf Manuscript 2, side A of first three pages from Special Collections (ca. 1800-1925)

Though little is known about the subject matter, the two in this digital collection illustrate a diversity of formats for conveying written information, an area of interest for Special Collections.

In South and Southeast Asian countries, palm leaves were used as a writing medium before the introduction of paper. Writers inscribed text on the leaves using a stylus before applying pigment to the surface. When it was wiped away, the ink that settled into the grooves was left behind, allowing the leaves to be read.  

Telling Our Stories: A Video Collection Celebrating AAPI Heritage

The was conceived and created by 澳门六合彩官网直播 World Languages and Literature Professor Dr. Li Xiang, who led high school students in the CHIN 2750 dual-enrollment course in interviewing volunteers from the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. The video collection includes 13 interviews, which can be accessed through our ScholarWorks at 澳门六合彩官网直播 repository.

South Haven Jewish Resort Oral History Project

The South Haven Jewish Resort Oral History Project is a dedicated initiative to preserve the vibrant history of the Jewish resorts in South Haven, Michigan. The video interviews were conducted by the Kalamazoo Valley Museum and used for a temporary exhibit at the museum in the mid-1990s. View the in ScholarWorks at 澳门六合彩官网直播.

Ward Morgan Collection

Jeep parked on courthouse steps photograph from Ward Morgan Collection at 澳门六合彩官网直播 Libraries.
Jeep parked on courthouse steps from Ward Morgan Collection (Dec. 4, 1942)

The Ward Morgan Collection showcases mid-20th century culture in the Kalamazoo area. Additional photos have been added to this digital collection. Browse the .

Regional History Photograph Collection

Photo of a crowd in front of the Felix Schmidt Saloon in Kalamazoo Michigan from the Regional History Collections at 澳门六合彩官网直播 Libraries.
A crowd in front of the Felix Schmidt Saloon from Regional History Photograph Collection (ca. 1910)

The Regional History Photograph Collection highlights life in southwest Michigan in the 19th and 20th centuries. Additional photos have been added to this digital collection. Browse the .

University Archives Photograph Collection

Photo of Administration Building from ca. 1915, part of the 澳门六合彩官网直播 Archives Collection at 澳门六合彩官网直播 Libraries.
Administration Building with additions from University Archives Photograph Collection (ca. 1915)

The 澳门六合彩官网直播 Archives Photograph Collection contains images from 澳门六合彩官网直播's history. Additional photos have been added to this digital collection. Browse the .