Historical Collections of the Great Lakes

Dr. Richard Wright (at left) of the BGSU Department of History gathered a collection of manuscripts, documents, newspapers, and photographs relating to the commerce, industry, and ecology of the Great Lakes. This collection was among the first to comprise the Center for Archival Collections.

At right, the steamer Mayflower, one of many illustrations of Great Lakes vessels in the Historical Collections of the Great Lakes.

Northwest Ohio

During the 1970s, the scene above was the typical appearance of inactive records storage areas in many counties. Thanks to a program coordinated by the Ohio Historical Society, the CAC became one of eight regional repositories for local government records.

Seen at right, Ann Bowers and Melanie Grace doing on-site sorting of the Lonz Winery Collection (MS 150). 1980

Civil War manuscripts have always been an important part of the CAC's collections. In 1989, we were happy to receive the official regimental records of the 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, still in their original field desk.

At right, Congressman Delbert Latta talks with Dwight Burlingame and CAC Director Paul Yon at the time he donated his congressional papers to the Archives. Along with those of Congressman Thomas L. Ashley, these papers document the national and state political climate over a thirty-year period. 1988.

At left, donor June Swede poses with CAC staff members Paul Yon, student A. J. DuFresne, and Ann Bowers as they complete loading documents into Paul's truck, for transport to the CAC.

At right, Paul Yon reviews another potential donation.

University Archives

Doyt Perry, one of BGSU's greatest football coaches, inspired a WBGU-TV documentary.

The CAC is the repository for BGSU's permanent records.

Rare Books & Special Collections

At left, this first edition copy of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass was added to the BGSU library collections in the 1950s.

At right, Dr. & Mrs. Frank Ogg were strong supporters of the University Libraries. Here, they are seen with Head Librarian Dr. Robert Rogers and University President William Jerome, as they donate vellum-bound examples of 15th century printing.

Ray Bradbury came to Bowling Green for the dedication of the collection of his books and manuscripts housed in Rare Books & Special Collections.

Ray Bradbury and Rare Books Librarian Nancy Steen

Among those in attendance when Jerome Library marked its 40th Anniversary were several previous library directors and Deans, including, right to left, Linda Dobb, Rush Miller, Dwight Burlingame, and Robert Rogers.

Dr. Ralph Wolfe , near right, was instrumental in securing the Gish Film Theater Collection.  Dr. Edmund Danziger (seen at far right), through his teaching of Ohio History and Environmental History courses, has shepherded hundreds of students through the rigors of primary source research at the CAC.

At left, Dr. Janis Pallister chatted with University President Sidney Ribeau. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to scholarship and to BGSU, Dr. Pallister was named the first University Professor. The Jerome Library Conference Room was named in her honor.

At right, Dr. Janet Parks, a long-time faculty supporter of the University Libraries, continues her research on women in sports in the collections of the CAC.

Dr. Stuart Givens, author of The Falcon Soars, a history of BGSU to 1985, was instrumental in establishing the CAC as a regional manuscripts repository.

Betty Neidecker, a BGSU faculty member, had family ties to northwest Ohio going back many generations. When she prepared to retire, she chose to spend her last year of work assisting the CAC in gathering and processing manuscript and book collections documenting this region.

Phil O'Connor (left) and Dr. Frederick Eckman founded BGSU's Creative Writing Program. Each later donated substantial book and manuscript collections to Rare Books & Special Collections.

Continuing the Creative Writing Program tradition, BGSU poet Howard McCord has also contributed many volumes of poetry and was influential in securing large poetry and manuscript collections from Robert Peters and Carol Bergé.

The CAC Staff, ca. 1990s, included: (left to right) Susan Hughes (Micrographics), Paul Yon (Director), Monica Manny (Microfilm Assistant), Marilyn Levinson (Curator of Manuscripts), Eric Honneffer (Conservator), Lee McLaird (Curator of Rare Books), Steve Charter (Reference Archivist), Ann Bowers (University Archivist and Assistant Director), and Sue Frost (Administrative Assistant).

Above, Regina LeMaster Kostyu, managed the micrographics operations until 1989.  Today, Kathy Gardner (at top) is our micrographics specialist.

Above, Bob Graham is the Archivist for the Historical Collections of the Great Lakes.

At left, University Archivist and CAC Director Ann Jenks first learned archival work as a student at BGSU. She is now the Archivist of the State of North Dakota.