The collection documents the life and work of Michigan-born writer Jim Harrison from 1938 until his death in 2016. Harrison published books in many genres throughout his career, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and children’s literature, as well as writing Hollywood screenplays. 

The Mathias J. Alten papers document the personal life and career of the West Michigan painter. The collection includes biographical information, business records, exhibit catalogs, and newspaper clippings collected by family members.

Douglas R. Gilbert was an American photographer from Michigan. Throughout his career, he pursued both freelance commercial work as well as artistic work. His art photography is characterized by its classic black-and-white format.

The collection contains the unpublished memoir "As I Remember…," written by Joseph P. Olexa, relating his experiences during World War II. Also included in the collection are letters from Joseph Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dating from 1941 to 1946. 

Collection contains production records, research files, and audiovisual materials created and collected by Fei Hu Films in the development and production of documentary films about the history of the American Volunteer Group, "Flying Tigers," and the Civil Air Transport airline, later named Air America. 

Collection of World War II gardening books and cookbooks, several from companies such as Lysol, Knox Gelatin Co., and Wonder Bread. The booklets provide recipes and advice for consumers looking to stretch their pantries and provide nutritious meals for their families in the face of wartime food and goods restrictions.

A collection of local community newspapers from the West Michigan region, spanning from 1930 to the present day. The newspapers relate to local business, ethnic, social, religious, and political communities.

Created by Mark Wyckoff, director and then president of the Planning and Zoning Center in Lansing, Michigan, this collection contains zoning ordinances, master plans, land use plans, maps, research studies, correspondence, growth plans, farmland maps, and urban planning trainings from the United States and the Ontario province, though the majority relates to Michigan. 

The D. J. Angus photograph collection consists of over 10,000 negatives and prints from ca. 1900-1960s. They were taken by Angus in his birth place of Wisconsin; his home in Grand Haven, Michigan; his places of work Indianapolis, Indiana, and Lansing, Michigan (Michigan Agricultural College); and on recreational trips throughout the southwest, south, and Mexico.

Collection of handbooks, magazines, printed ephemera, uniforms, scrapbooks and diaries, organizational reports, and artifacts relating to the Camp Fire Girls youth scouting organization, spanning from around 1912 to the mid 1960s.

This collection contains a large amount of material documenting Native American Indians collected by Gillis, as well as a smaller amount of material documenting Michigan archaeology and archaeological organizations, and Grand Rapids urban renewal process from the 1960s to the 1990s.

This multi-faceted collection documents the history of the Young Lords movement in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. Over 100 video oral history interviews with members of the organization are available in our Digital Collection, and papers, photographs, and other materials are available in the Special Collections.

Collection of home design catalogs and home furnishing brochures published by Michigan companies from the 1920s to the 1950s. Companies represented include The Aladdin Company of Bay City, HomOGraf Corporation of East Detroit, Lewis Manufacturing Company of Bay City, Miller & Zeilstra Lumber Co. of Grand Rapids, and Spears Lumber Co. of Grandville. 

Collection contains ephemera and realia of the Alabastine Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The collection primarily contains 70 issues of Brush & Pail, ranging from 1914-1926. Collection also includes catalogs, brochures, and other printed materials, as well as a paint sample kit. 

Collection includes brochures and ephemera related to Michigan agricultural companies.

L. William Seidman was an American economist and financial commentator born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was one of the founders of Grand Valley State College and considered the 'father of Grand Valley.' Seidman worked as an advisor to Presidents Ford and Reagan. He served as the chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The collection documents his personal, civic, and professional life. 

Icie Macie Hoobler established the nutritional research program at the Merrill-Palmer Institute and the Children's Hospital of Michigan. She also served on the Board of Control at Grand Valley State College from 1960-1969. The collection includes early files of the Board of Control and publications by Icie Macie Hoobler on the health and nutrition of children and mothers.

The collection documents the life and work of Michigan-born chemist and entrepreneur Arnold Ott. Ott was the longest standing member of the Grand Valley State University Board of Control, beginning as a charter member in 1960 and serving for 28 years, including two terms as board chair.