About the Bentley
The Bentley Historical Library is one of the largest archives documenting Michigan’s people and organizations.
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Get Help
Contact Us
Our Reference Services Team can help address your questions about the archive, the collections, or digital services. Please call 734-764-3482 or email reference at bentley.ref@umich.edu.
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Work with Us
The Bentley isn’t just papers, it’s also people. Our staff of roughly 40 archivists, digitization techs, reference assistants, communicators, conservators, facilities specialists (and more) aim to contribute all we can to the archival field as we work toward the future. Let’s collaborate.
Guiding Principles
Our Mission
Primary sources like those at the Bentley Historical Library guard against narratives that ignore evidence and silence underrepresented voices. That puts the Bentley at the forefront of bearing witness to, and preserving, the past. Our mission is to create an inclusive record of Michigan’s history, which is accessible for all.
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Detroit Observatory
Where Michigan’s History is Written in the Stars
The historic Judy and Stanley Frankel Detroit Observatory, located on the University of Michigan’s central campus, is a division of the Bentley Historical Library. Come see the stars and explore the past through tours, observing, presentations, talks, and more!
Visit the Observatory
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Visit
The Library
Learn about our opening hours, location and parking and how to plan your visit to the Bentley.
Visit The Bentley
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