Skip to Main Content
Michigan State University

Local History at MSU Archives & Historical Collections: Organizational Records

University Archival Collections

Opera Company of Greater Lansing, Inc (UA16.86.1), 1976-1980               

Large Collections

Democratic Party Campaign materials (00034), 1874-1966

  • 19 folders
  • Democratic campaign materials from 1870 to 1964, including handbills, pamphlets, posters, comic books and programs. Voting tickets for several Lansing, Michigan, area communities. Voting information and campaign instructions. Various tickets, programs, and statements from Democratic conventions, both in Michigan and on a national level. Biographical and political information on Michigan candidates for governor, legislature, and other offices, including Austin Blair, Josiah Begole, and Frank Kelly.
  • Finding aid to the collection: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/uahc/FindingAids/034.html

East Lansing Planning Commission records (00080), 1958-1969

  • 1.3 cubic feet
  • Predominantly meeting minutes of the East Lansing Planning Commission, complete from 1958 to June 1969 and numerous bound studies and reports, some done by the ELPC and others by outside consultants, dealing with the East Lansing and Lansing Tri-County area. Collection includes East Lansing progress reports, the creation of a central business district, and problems of streets, parking, sewage, and capital improvements. In addition, long-range studies of the domicile preferences of Michigan State University faculty and staff, the creation of subdivision regulations, the comprehensive plan for East Lansing in 1980, and the Commission Handbook. Collection also includes minutes from the East Lansing City Council and the Tri-County Planning Commission, many advisory studies from the Tri-County Planning Commission, the State of Michigan, and Michigan State University, and several miscellaneous pamphlets.
  • Finding aid to the collection: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/uahc/FindingAids/080.html

Edgewood Cooperative Nursery School records (00199), 1961-2007          

  • 3 cubic feet
  • This collection contains a comprehensive set of records pertaining to the operation of the cooperative preschool.  Edgewood was formed in 1960 at the Edgewood United Church of Christ in East Lansing, Michigan. Documents include materials from the Board of Directors, as well as, other governing bodies, newsletters, brochures, area studies about preschools and nursery schools in the area. The school closed in 2007.
  • Finding aid to the collection: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/uahc/FindingAids/199.html

First Universalist Church records (00189), 1852-1971

  • 2.5 cubic feet
  • The First Universalist Church of Lansing records consist of accounting ledgers from the Church and church school, annual reports, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, histories of the Church, parish records, and treasurer's reports. Among the notable items are a photocopy of the 1852 charter and a scrapbook of histories of the church dating back to 1848.
  • Finding aid to the collection: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/uahc/FindingAids/189.pdf

Greater Michigan Foundation records (00119), 1951-1966

  • 9 cubic feet
  • These records, covering the years 1954-1964, contain correspondence, reports, committee information, newspaper clippings, publications, promotional materials, and information about awards and activities relating to Michigan Week, the Foundation's most well-known project.
    Note: The Greater Michigan Foundation, chartered in 1961, grew out of an association of businessmen, Greater Michigan, Inc., founded in 1954 in Lansing, Michigan, to promote the State of Michigan.
  • Finding aid to the collection: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/uahc/FindingAids/119.html

Kiwanis Club records (00117), 1915-1996

  • 3.4 cubic feet
  • The Kiwanis Club, a men’s service organization, was founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1915.  The East Lansing Club was organized in 1949 and chartered in 1950.  The records consist of general correspondence, weekly news bulletins, financial records, annual barbeque records, and materials relating to the club’s 20th Anniversary.
  • Finding aid to the collection: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/uahc/FindingAids/117.html

REO Motor Company records (00036), 1904-1976

  • 283 Volumes, 169 cubic feet
  • This collection consists of the business records of REO Motors, Inc. and includes correspondence, financial records, annual reports, minutes of meetings, policy directives, personnel records, blueprints, government contracts, sales and distribution records, operating expenses, and office memos. Personnel records include labor turnover reports (1917-1944), health and safety records (1917-1955), agreements and grievances, appeal board minutes, unemployment compensation cases, and wage records. A full record of correspondence details the company's relations with the U.S. government (1939-1957). Miscellaneous records include business association correspondence, newsletters, publications, and photographs. White Motor Company Records, 1922 - 1974, include financial statements, letterbooks, sales information and parts specifications.
  • Finding aid to the collection: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/uahc/FindingAids/036.pdf

Small Collections

City of East Lansing report (c.00564), 1986-1987

  • 1 folder
  • The "Final Report of the East Lansing Historical/Architectural Survey 1986-1987" examines the Historic Districts Neighborhoods: Bailey, College Grove, Oakwood, Collegeville, Chesterfield Hills, and Hillcrest Village. In addition, Brookfield, Central, Glencairn, and the Street Light District areas were surveyed. The report includes a map and description of the survey areas; information about the research process; a list of landmark properties; an historical overview; architectural overviews for each neighborhood; and resource protection planning summaries covering agriculture, economic affairs and technology, education, growth and settlement, and social affairs. Note: The report was prepared by the East Lansing Historic District Study Committee. It was a required component for the approval of Historic Districts by the State of Michigan.
  • Finding aid to the collection: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/uahc/FindingAids/c564.pdf

East Lansing Woman’s Club manuscripts (c.00438), 1903-1978

  • 1 folder
  • This collection contains an 80-page unpublished manuscript of the history of the East Lansing Woman's Club, East Lansing, Michigan, written by Mae Belle McKune. Topics include the subjects of each year's discussions, membership, and a one-paragraph synopsis of the club activity year by year. Appended is a list of the club's presidents year by year.
  • Finding aid to the collection: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/uahc/FindingAids/c438.html

Grand River Avenue Beautification Committee records (c.00535), 1963-1970

  • 1 folder
  • This collection contains records of a beautification project for Grand River Avenue, East Lansing, Michigan. It includes early thinking about the proposed improvement, a downtown parking study completed in April 1970, and a brief history of the development of Grand River Avenue.
  • Finding aid to the collection: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/uahc/FindingAids/c535.html

Lansing Automobile Club records (c.00297), circa 1919

  • 1 folder
  • This collection consists of the membership list for the Lansing Automobile Club circa 1919. The list includes such prominent Lansing citizens as Edwin A. Bowd, William H. Newbrough, and Roy C. Vandercook.
  • Finding aid to the collection: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/uahc/FindingAids/c297.html

Marble School School book (c.00201), 1976

  • 1 volume
  • This book gives a brief history and description of the Marble School in East Lansing, Michigan. Excerpts from the Marble School Newsletter are included, with sample class schedules, lists of staff and students, and descriptions of classes and special events. Note: Literary rights belong to the Marble Elementary School. This book was prepared by the staff and students of the Marble School as a Bicentennial project; the original was placed in a time capsule.
  • Finding aid to the collection: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/uahc/FindingAids/c201.html

Novo Engine Company records (c.00391), 1914-1946

  • 4 folders
  • This collection contains advertising bulletins and engine catalogues of the Novo Engine Company of Lansing, Michigan. Also, a sales training brochure containing a short history of the firm is included. Note: The Novo Engine Company were manufacturers of industrial equipment.
  • Finding aid to the collection: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/uahc/FindingAids/c391.html

Sears, Roebuck & Co. photographs (c.00588), 1920s- 1960s

  • 10 items
  • These photos are of the different Sears stores’ locations in the Lansing, Michigan area. Each photo is 16" x 20". Five photos depict the Automotive Center, Retail Store, and Farm Store in downtown Lansing. Four photos are of the Frandor Shopping Center site, one is of the pre- construction site. One image is a store advertisement.
  • Finding aid to the collection: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/uahc/FindingAids/c588.html

Towar School collection (c.00599), 1987

  • 2 items
  • This collection chronicles the development of the Towar Gardens area in Meridian Township, Michigan and contains information about the Towar School, named after George Morris Towar. Included is a program from the 50th anniversary of the Towar School and a manuscript describing the early schoolhouses in the Meridian School District, the Towar family, and histories of the Towar Garden subdivision in Whitehills and Meridian School district #7.
  • Finding aid to the collection: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/uahc/FindingAids/c599.html

Triennial Capsule Committee records (c.00190), 1976

  • 1 folder
  • This collection contains a letter of thanks from the Triennial Capsule Committee of Lansing to MSU for materials contributed to the capsule. Also included is a list of other donations, as well as a program from the Lansing Bicentennial Celebration.
  • Finding aid to the collection: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/uahc/FindingAids/c190.html