William L. Clements Library

We’re deeply grateful to historian Benjamin Quarles for helping us broaden and evolve the Clements collections, illuminating Black history within our holdings and guiding us toward more inclusive collecting practices that continue to shape our work today.

#BlackHistoryMonth #BHM

Explore the digital collection of 66,000+ postcards here: myumi.ch/E8k4g

Real photo postcard. "Along U.S. 41. in Northern Michigan" three people in and around an igloo made from snow.

Real photo postcard. "Mr. President" large snow sculpture of a highly detailed head.

Real photo postcard. Snow sculpture of a husky on top of a platform also made from snow reading "HUSKY"

Real photo postcard "Mythical Paul Bunyan Iron Mountain Mich 2-10-39" Large and highly detailed snow sculpture of Paul Bunyan.

It’s US Snow Sculpting Week! ☃️

Bundle up, Wolverines, and take some inspiration from these snapshots from the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series.

#SnowSculptingWeek #SnowSculpting #MichiganHistory #MichiganPhotography

The engraving “Le Fameux Empyrique Anglois Américain,” [c. 178-?]. Political cartoon mocking Thomas Paine and the call to independence in Common Sense. On the left, the artist depicts Paine as an empirical scientist, selling a bottle labeled “Union” to a crowd of onlookers. The right depicts an Anglo Peace Commissioner appointed to “deal with” the United States. He is looking at an official legal document with a magnifying glass, titled “Article 1er Indépendence reconnue.”

Visit the student-curated exhibit “Revolutionary Paine” weekdays from 12-4 pm to view this and other materials relating to the impact of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” or check out the extended online exhibit: myumi.ch/jJA29

#ExhibitSpotlight #America250 #ThomasPaine #AmericanRevolution

Portion of the engraving “Le Fameux Empyrique Anglois Américain,” [c. 178-?]. Caricature of Thomas Paine holding a bottle labeled “Union.” His exaggerated features, extremely skinny physique, and torn coat are labeled. Caption: “The famous Anglo-American empiricist [:] I possess the true remedy for the fury of English oppression.”

Portion of the engraving “Le Fameux Empyrique Anglois Américain,” [c. 178-?]. Caption: “The Anglo Peace Commissioner appointed to deal with the United States of America.” Figure is holding a document “Article 1 Independence Recognized.” Label pointing at the peace commissioner reads “portrayed as higher class and more rational than Paine.”

Thomas Paine’s calls for American independence in “Common Sense” weren’t received well by everyone in the years following its publication.

This engraving depicts a caricature of Paine meant to frame him as irrational and lower class in comparison to the Anglo Peace Commissioner.

Groundhog from a plate from John James Audubon's “Viviparous Quadrupeds” wearing a top hat and saying “Six more weeks of winter!” with snowflakes in the background.

We’re not sure if we can handle six more weeks of winter, Mr. Phil… 🥶🧣

This groundhog is taken from John James Audubon's “Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America” jointly purchased with the University of Michigan Special Collections Research Center, images courtesy SCRC.

#GroundhogDay

“The Clements Library will close at 1:30 pm today, January 30.” Photo of the exterior of the Clements Library, and carriage steps in the shape of two stacked books.

The William L. Clements Library will be closing at 1:30 pm today. Thank you for your understanding!

📸: Marc-Gregor Campredon, Office of University Development, Regents of the University of Michigan

Maggie Vanderford, Librarian for Instruction and Engagement with a copy of Assistant Curator of Maps Mary Sponberg Pedley‘s volume of The History of Cartography in their office. Includes Mary’s staff photo.

Joyce Bonk assistant Annalia Buchanan and Edward Surovell Assistant Evelyn Best in the workroom

Curator of Manuscripts Cheney J. Schopieray at a home away from home: Z40-115, Hatcher Graduate Library

#LibraryShelfieDay continued..!

Katie Jaede, Assistant Director of Development in the The Norton Strange Townshend Room. “#LibraryShelfieDay”

Historic Visual Culture Graduate Assistant Ella Brooks-Kamper in the The Norton Strange Townshend Room with the trovel used by Mr. Clements to lay the corner stone of the library in 1923. An arrow points to Ella’s phone’s reflection in the glass, labeled “shelfieception!”

Sierra Laddusaw, Curator of Maps and Graphics in the vault

Head of Reader Services Josh Sulser, Librarian for Instruction and Engagement Maggie Vanderford, Information Resources Assistant Emma Schneider, and grad student intern Theresa Azemar in the reference office! Full house!

Happy #LibraryShelfieDay! 📚📸

Revolutionary Paine - UM Clements Library The William L. Clements Library holds 58 editions of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense: Addressed to the Inhabitants of America. Upon the 250th anniversary of its January 1776 publication, one might ask: Wh...

Visit the student-curated exhibit “Revolutionary Paine” weekdays from 12-4 pm to view this and other materials relating to the impact of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” or check out the extended online exhibit: myumi.ch/jJA29

“Diagram, Representing the Different Circles and Spheres in the Spirit World” from Charles Hammond’s “Light from the Spirit World: The pilgrimage of Thomas Paine, and others, to the seventh circle in the spirit world” (1852).

Header for Chapter II of Charles Hammond’s “Light from the Spirit World: The pilgrimage of Thomas Paine, and others, to the seventh circle in the spirit world” (1852), “Interview with Wm. Penn and Paine’s Conversion.” includes quotation attributed to Thomas Paine’s spirit regarding communicating through a medium.

“Light from the Spirit World” is one of several works written by spiritualists alleging that they were able to connect with Thomas Paine after his death and become physical vessels for his metaphysical spirit via electrical currents! ⚡

#America250 #ThomasPaine #AmericanRevolution

Mapping Michigan - UM Clements Library

Learn more about the history of mapping Michigan in our most recent blog post from Assistant Curator of Maps, Mary Pedley: myumi.ch/15zRn

John Farmer Improved map of the territories of Michigan and Ouisconsin 1836 Improved map of the territories of Michigan and Ouisconsin (pronounced Wisconsin) on a scale of 30 geographical miles to an inch

Matthew Carey 1801 United States (east of the Mississippi) From: Carey, Mathew. Carey’s American pocket atlas …, 1801

On #ThisDayInHistory in 1837, Michigan was admitted as the 26th state.

A map of Michigan is easily at hand for most people, whether it is on the phone in their pocket or demonstrated by simply holding up their hand! It wasn’t always that simple.

“Ice storm Cadillac Mich 1922” real photo postcard of a power line covered in ice.

Stay warm today, wolverines! 🥶

📷: David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcards Series

Revolutionary Paine - UM Clements Library The William L. Clements Library holds 58 editions of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense: Addressed to the Inhabitants of America. Upon the 250th anniversary of its January 1776 publication, one might ask: Wh...

Come visit the Clements Library weekdays from 12-4 pm through May 8 to explore our student-curated exhibit, “Revolutionary Paine,” which seeks to better understand Paine’s political thought and controversial legacy. View the extended online version here: myumi.ch/jJA29

The William L. Clements Library holds 58 editions of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense: Addressed to the Inhabitants of America.” Upon the 250th anniversary of its January 1776 publication, one might ask: Why so many? 🤔

Photograph of a squirrel perched on a knee with seeds to eat, from the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography.

This 1905 postcard postmarked right here in Ann Arbor is a testament to the long-standing love of squirrels on and around the U-M campus.

🐿️: David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series

#SquirrelAppreciationDay

Real photo postcard of two men in a workroom. Portion of the backside of the post card with manuscript note reading “Grandpa when he made cheese for Warner.”

“Grandpa when he made cheese for Warner” 🧀

📸: David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series

#NationalCheeseLoversDay #ClementsLibrary #Postcard

“Join us for a guided tour of the U-M Clements Library. Current Exhibit: Revolutionary Paine. January 23, 4-5 pm. Free & open to the public!” Depiction of an Anglo Peace Commissioner from the political cartoon Le Fameux Empyrique Anglois Américain, [c. 178-?].

Explore our student-curated exhibit, “Revolutionary Paine,” during a guided tour this Friday, 1/23 from 4-5 pm! 📚

Reserve your spot for this free event here: myumi.ch/3RwnA

#UMichEvents #America250

Drinking the Revolution Series - The Invention of Rum in an Era of Revolution with Jordan Smith - UM Clements Library Planning a research visit?

This Thursday, January 22, at 4 p.m. ET, don't miss Jordan B. Smith discussing his new book THE INVENTION OF RUM in a hybrid virtual and in-person event hosted by @clementslibrary.bsky.social as part of the Drinking the Revolution series! Register now.

New Manuscripts and Graphics Finding Aids, January 2026 - UM Clements Library Explore collections from the Manuscripts and Graphics Divisions made available this month!

Explore collections from the Manuscripts and Graphics Divisions made available this month in our most recent blog post: myumi.ch/pV5m1

Apply for a Clements Library Fellowship - UM Clements Library

Learn more on our website and apply by January 15 for consideration: myumi.ch/qVjr4

“Fellowship applications due this Thursday!” Background image: Columns of the Clements Library.

🚨 Don’t miss your chance! Applications for fellowships at the Clements Library are due this Thursday. 🚨

We’re known for our Revolutionary War collections, but did you know we offer fellowships supporting research in areas like Native American history, early American journalism, and band history?

How well do you know the Clements Library? 🤔 Test your knowledge!

#ClementsTrivia #MichiganTrivia #UMTrivia #Trivia

Apply for a Clements Library Fellowship - UM Clements Library

Want a chance to dig through the archives like Sarah? Apply for a Clements fellowship!

Applications are due January 15. Learn more here: myumi.ch/qVjr4

Sarah Donovan spent months here at the Clements after being awarded the Jacob M. Price Fellowship, diving deep into our incredible early Americana collections and uncovering fascinating stories for her dissertation.

Outdoor scene showing a woman arriving in a horse-drawn carriage. She is ringing a small bell and people of all ages are celebrating her arrival. In the foreground, two young children examine a basket of goods. A man carries another basket towards a building at left. A cat, a dog, birds, and other animals are depicted in the scene.

Merry Christmas Eve!

🖼️: Christmas eve : home scene--with presents / painted by J.L. Krimmel ; engraved by John Sartain, Philada. Based on John Lewis Krimmel's oil painting titled "Return from market." [ca. 1870]

As Hanukkah celebrations enter their final night, the Clements Library wishes all who are celebrating a happy holiday filled with peace and joy.

Happy Hanukkah! 🕎

Crossword Puzzle Day - UM Clements Library Happy National Crossword Puzzle Day to all those you dedicate their time to solving clues, cracking codes, and finding joy in every square they fill. This crossword is for you! Filled with hints and c...

You can download the puzzle via our blog, the Clements Chronicles: myumi.ch/n1bDN

Crossword puzzle featuring words relating to the William L. Clements Library.

On #ThisDayInHistory in 1913, a crossword puzzle was published for the first time in the “New York World” newspaper. To celebrate, we created our very own “Clements Crossword” including Clements vocab relating to our history, our work, and our collections!