Welcome to This Week in Ann Arbor History, a look back at some notable moments from the city's past.

1940: Wolverines underestimate Spartans, barely escape with win

Back in 2007, Michigan running back Mike Hart hurt some Michigan State fans' feelings by calling the Spartans more a "little brother" than a rival. But the sentiment that Sparty could be beaten easily dates back long before Michigan's all-time rushing leader was even born.

"Michigan should, and probably will, beat the Spartans here Saturday, but it will be a tough ball game ... it could be a rout, and the Spartans might win," warned Mill Marsh of the Ann Arbor News, 70 years ago, writing that the Wolverines "appear to be taking State threat lightly" heading into the rivalry game. In 1940 the early-October duel was only the second game of the season; 70 years later, and falling on the same week, Michigan-Michigan State is the sixth game, due to earlier college start times and the almost year-round nature of modern college football.

Michigan head coach Fritz Crisler agreed with the sportswriter's assessment, telling Marsh that "the boys are still up in the air," flying high after opening the 1940 season against the University of California, becoming the first college team to travel by air. Michigan routed the Golden Bears 41-0, with eventual Heisman winner Tom Harmon even avoiding a drunken Cal fan to secure the rout.

Despite a Detroit Tigers World Series appearance against the Cincinnati Reds that week, the State game still drew almost 70,000 fans to Michigan Stadium. Michigan did beat State, but as Marsh predicted the game was closer than it should've been, 21-14. Michigan finished the 1940 season 7-1, the only loss coming against then-powerhouse Minnesota. This was good enough for a second- place finish in the Big Ten and a third-place finish nationally. (Minnesota won the national championship.)

1970: Kempf House Museum opens to public; Saline gets expanded postal service

Oct. 10, 1970, was the grand opening of the Kempf House, the completion of its transition from an Ann Arbor institution to an Ann Arbor icon.

Music teacher Reuben Kempf trained Ann Arbor and University of Michigan musicians in his home for decades. The home came under different ownership, but was purchased by the city in 1969 and the Ann Arbor Historical Foundation helped raise the money to convert it from home to museum. The historical foundation had hoped to be able to raise funds for acquiring other historic homes, but that never panned out.

"The front parlor with the Steinway grand was the Kempfs' music studio for over 50 years. Here they both taught generations of Ann Arbor young people to play the piano and to sing," reads an account on the Kempf House's website.

Today the museum on South Division Street often hosts lectures on local history. Recently, the museum won a Special Merit Award from the Ann Arbor Historic District Commission for the addition of a ramp that makes the facility wheelchair accessible.

Ann Arbor historian Wystan Stevens lived in the Kempf House from its opening to 1983. In 1973 the museum was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1968, the U.S. Postal Service rebuffed the Saline City Council's efforts to move away from rural mail delivery in developed parts of the city. But two years later, at the urging of the growing community, Congressman Marvin Esch, R-Ann Arbor, brought home the bacon for Ann Arbor's neighbor to the south, the Ann Arbor News reported.

"Starting Nov. 28, all areas that have been receiving rural delivery service will instead receive door mail delivery service," Esch announced. The change affected 281 households, according to the post office.

Mail carriers had complained that cars parked on the street could block mailboxes. Saline residents didn't buy it and pushed Esch to fight for them. "The people of Saline ... are to be complimented for their perseverance," Esch said.

The University of Michigan Hospital also witnessed a milestone 40 years ago this week, when doctors performed the hospital's 100th kidney transplant.

Joyce Dunn, of Pontiac, and Wesley Hanke, of Nashville, Tenn., received the 99th and 100th transplants, almost simultaneously, reported Larry Bush, the Ann Arbor News' science editor.

U-M surgeons completed the hospital system's first kidney transplant for Janice Ottenbacher, then 16, in 1964. The kidney came from her twin sister, Joan, and both sisters were nurses at Mount Clemens hospital by 1970.

James David Dickson can be reached at JamesDickson@AnnArbor.com.