William L. Clements Library

06/08/2026

Some friendships grow with you through every version of yourself and make life oh so sweet! 💛

Happy Best Friends Day from the Clements Library!

📸: David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography

06/06/2026

82 years ago today, the Allied powers stormed the beaches of Normandy, France with hundreds of thousands of men, vehicles, and supplies all in the pursuit of defeating the N**i regime in Europe.

The Clements Library has fifteen invasion maps regarding this fateful day in history. This one, from February 1943, shows the plans that would take place on Normandy Beach.

06/05/2026

Frontier to Freedom features many materials found here at the Clements, as well as Randolph G. Adams Director Paul Erickson.

In theaters now!

Browse showtimes and reserve your seats for Frontier to Freedom online. Don't miss out secure your tickets today!

06/04/2026

Today is an important day! Hug your cat, everyone! It’s what June 4th is for. 🐈

🐱: David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography

06/03/2026

Jean Ingelow was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, England, in 1920. Her early years were spent with her ten siblings living on a river, watching the boats and listening to sailor songs, which would go on to heavily influence her writing. Under the pen name, Orris, Ingelow published her poetry in her siblings publication of “The St. Stephen’s Herald.”

Ingelow continued to write short stories and poems for Youth Magazine, where they began to connect with more audiences, leading her to write and publish her most popular work “Poems,” which launched Ingelow’s status as a popular writer. Soon after, her work would be accompanied by music. Ingelow’s work resonated with children and young adults, and she continued to write poetry until her death in 1897.

🎼: Jean Ingelow : engraved for the Ladies' repository / engraved by W. Wellstood; Fated / words by Jean Ingelow ; music by Horatio C. King

06/02/2026

📸Snap, snap! The photographs you see at the Clements Library are carefully cared for by the recently appointed Assistant Curator of Graphics, Jakob Dopp.

Come spend a day with Jakob and learn all about what it's like to work in the Graphics Division at the Clements! 📸

Read his full interview here: https://myumi.ch/yknny

06/01/2026

In 1863, Union soldier Stephen Metcalf ran a newspaper ad seeking a young lady to “relieve the dull monotony” of camp life. This call was answered by his future wife, Carrie White. Despite not meeting in person for multiple years, Carrie and Stephen developed a strong friendship culminating in Stephen’s written proposal in 1866.

After the two became engaged, White expressed several concerns about their marriage, often through indirect means. For example, she sent Metcalf a long poem entitled "A Woman's Question," by an unknown author.

“Before I trust my fate to thee,

Or place my hand in thine;

Before I let thy future give

Color and form to mine,

Before I peril all for thee;

Question thy soul to-night for me.”

Both Metcalf and White shared some reservations about the origins of their relationship, but recognized that it was the only way the friendship could have started.

💌: Stephen and Carrie White Metcalf papers, 1863-1868

05/29/2026

Here at the Clements Library, we love our colleagues! To show our appreciation for all that they do, our George Washington finger puppet travels from desk to desk as a sign of gratitude. Staff members receive Mr. Washington in recognition of their hard work, and then each recipient selects the next person to be celebrated! This month, George found his home with Head of Reader Services, Joshua Sulser!

George had a busy month with Joshua, and accompanied him on several adventures, including the opening of an Art Gallery in Cleveland, where Joshua said George “fell in love with the bold brushwork, improvisational lines, and the bold, unnatural colors,” played a pick up game of volleyball, and recharged with some local Ann Arbor coffee.

We love you, George! And we love our hard working employees at the Clements ♥️

05/28/2026

The Clements Library houses many prints and lithographs of old time New York, including these lithographs created by Sarony, Major & Knapp, a popular Lithography firm in New York City.

Swipe through to travel the streets of 1860s New York! 🗽

05/27/2026

Hang tight, Wolverines! Summer is just around the corner. Prep your sunscreen, bathing suits, and beach bags, there are only 25 more days until summer is here! 👙☀️🏖️

🏊: Bathing / A.B. Schultz.⁩ [190-?]