Kalamazoo College Archives
Phone: 269-337-7151
Email: archives@kzoo.edu
Location: Third floor of Upjohn Library Commons, ULC 329,
1200 Academy St., Kalamazoo, MI 49006
Online Kalamazoo College History
The College Archives serve as the repository for materials
that trace the history of Kalamazoo College from its founding
in 1833 through the present day. The Archives also holds a collection
of documents related to the history of Baptists in Michigan.
Although archival materials do not circulate, it is possible
to photocopy many of the materials with the permission of
the archivist. Book bags, purses, and briefcases should be
checked with the attendant, and only pencils may be used
for note taking.
Significant records and documents housed in the
College Archives include:
Personal papers of many individuals
who have had close associations with the College; Minutes,
correspondence, memoranda and other records and documents
of the faculty, administration, and trustees; Personal publications
of faculty, alumni, and friends of the College; Records
of student organizations; Yearbooks dating from 1896, literary
magazines, and other student publications; The College newspaper
(Kalamazoo College Index), dating back to 1877, and name
indexes to the Index for the years 1877 to 1931; The Daily
Bulletin dating from 1947 to 49 and 1962 to the present,
Who's New at Kalamazoo (a photographic yearbook of faculty
and first-year students), and other student services publications;
A large collection of scrapbooks prepared by alumni, friends,
and College personnel, catalogues for subject access; Photographs;
Miscellaneous mementos.
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Local History Collection at the Kalamazoo Public Library
Phone: 269-553-7808 | Fax: 269-342-0414
Email Form
Location: Kalamazoo Public Library, 315 South Rose St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007.
The History Room is located on the second
floor of the library. The door is just to the right of the
stained glass window.
No library card is necessary to use their services. No History Room materials can be checked out, but photocopy machines are available. The staff will answer brief mail and telephone inquiries. There is a charge for copying and postage.
The History Room maintains an extensive collection of materials about all aspects of the history of Kalamazoo County, including businesses, institutions, buildings, and biographical and genealogical information about county residents. To a lesser extent, we also collect information about Michigan, and the areas from which Kalamazoo drew its original settlers. In addition, KPL's award-winning Local Information Database combines indexing of local newspapers, magazines and historical materials. A separate database, KPL's Local Organizations Directory, provides information about human service agencies and non-profit organizations.
Kalamazoo Public Library Photograph Collection
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Portage Public Library Local History
Phone: 269 329-4544 | Fax (269) 324-9222
Email: answerline@portagelibrary.info
The Portage District Library's Heritage Room is a repository of historical information pertaining to the City of Portage and surrounding communities. It is also home to an ever-growing number of genealogical reference materials. The Local History web page includes historical photographs of the area.
The John Todd Photographic Collection consists of over thirteen-thousand negatives of South West Michigan spanning a forty year time period beginning in 1940 and ending in 1981. The primary focus of the collection is on the City of Kalamazoo and the surrounding communities of Kalamazoo County.
The John Todd Photographic Collection
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Archives and Regional History at Western Michigan University
Phone: 269-387-8490 | Fax: 269-387-8484
Email: arch_collect@wmich.edu
Location: Room 111, East Hall, East Campus, off Oakland
Drive. Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5081
In the Kalamazoo College Library Collection: Guide to
the Western Michigan University Regional History Collections,
edited by Phyllis Burnham [et al.]. CD 3309 .K3 G84 1998, Reference.
The Regional History Collections is designated by the
Michigan Historical Commission as a State Archives repository
for the public records of twelve counties in southwest Michigan,
including Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass,
Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, St. Joseph and Van Buren.
Various county, township, city and village materials including
tax records, court records and minutes, as well as selected
naturalization records, are on deposit through the State
Archives. Some materials are located off-site and may require
an appointment to access. In addition
to repository records, the Regional History Collections
contains manuscript materials, including letters, diaries,
journals, oral histories, photographs, minutes, and ephemeral materials
reflecting the history and activities of the people, institutions,
organizations, and businesses of southwest Michigan. Detailed finding aids exist for the manuscript collections. Materials
do not circulate. Photocopy and duplication services are
available for most materials.
Regional History Collections details
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Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Phone: (269) 373-7990 | Phone: 1-(800)-772-3370 | Phone:
(269) 373-7989 Recorded Information Line
Email: museumstaff@kvcc.edu
Location: 230 North Rose Street; Kalamazoo, MI 49007
The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is a participatory museum of
history, science and technology linking southwest Michigan
to the world through collections, exhibitions, media and
programs. Its purpose is to offer learning experiences that
foster the understanding of significant issues shaping our
regional community. While our scope is regional, we also
explore topics and times remote from our own. The Museum
seeks to develop cultural, historical and scientific literacy
through innovative exhibits, special exhibitions, planetarium
programs, educational programs and weekend family events.
Exhibits incorporate the evidence of artifacts, oral histories,
written documents and images to step back in time.
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Ladies Library Association
Phone: 269 344-3710
Email: contact@ladieslibraryassociation.com
Location: 333 S. Park Street; Kalamazoo, MI 49007
The first women's club in Michigan, the Ladies Library
Association of Kalamazoo, was founded by Lucinda Hinsdale
Stone in 1852. In 1878, the Ladies Library Association of
Kalamazoo built the first clubhouse in the nation for a
woman's organization. It was the first building to be built
by and for a women's organization in the United States.
The Ladies Library is also an example of Queen Anne style architecture.
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