If you are interested in local history, Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County have a fine set of collections to draw from. Here are a few highlights from some of the local historical societies and collections in the area; it's drawn from a more extensive list of area historical societies maintained by the Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County.

Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan

The Bentley Historical Library on the U-M's North Campus has an extensive collection of archival documents from the history of the U-M and the industrial development of Michigan. They are currently exhibiting Varsity Vogue, which is a collection of photography showing women's campus fashions, formal and informal, from 1880 to 1980.

The Ann Arbor District Library maintains a local history collection in its downtown branch on the second floor. The collection includes city directories, high school yearbooks, microfilm copies of local newspapers and an extensive clippings file and index card catalog for local newspapers from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The library's local history blog features a recent entry on Brewed in Ann Arbor, sharing resources for Ann Arbor's beer-making history.

The Labadie Collection at the University of Michigan is the world's premier archives of anarchist history, radical politics, and alternative sexuality. It is named for labor organizer and anarchist Joseph Antoine "Jo" Labadie (1850-1933). An online exhibit, Jo Labadie and His Gift to Michigan, details the origins of the collection, which was donated to the university in 1911 and which has expanded since then to include over 40,000 books, 800 current periodicals and 20,000 pamphlets.

The University of Michigan has organized a year-long museum theme year, with much more information and regular events on campus.

Washtenaw County

The Washtenaw County Historical Society runs the Museum on Main Street, a local history museum on North Main Street in Ann Arbor. Its newsletter, Washtenaw Impressions, has been published since 1943, and the society is in the middle of a project to scan and digitize it.

Ypsilanti

The Ypsilanti Historical Society has an extensive collection of Ypsilanti-area historical information, including a digital photo archive currently holding 220 of the eventual 5000 historical images held by the organization. Laura Bien wrote for AnnArbor.com drawing from materials from these archives, and a stud bunny from 1910 is featured on the cover of her forthcoming book, "Tales from the Ypsilanti Archives: Tripe-Mongers, Parker's Hair Balsam, The Underwear Club & More," to be published by The History Press.

Pittsfield Township

The Pittsfield Township Historical Society holds the official township archives for Pittsfield Township, as well as a collection of historical photographs and news clippings that had been held in township offices. Its collection includes plat maps of the township, showing land ownership, development, and the course of progress as the township evolved.

Chelsea

The Chelsea Area Historical Society runs a museum in the Chelsea Depot, featuring railroad memorabilia. Hours are limited; contact 734-663-4490 for details.

Dexter

The Dexter Area Historical Society and Museum is housed in the former St. Andrew's United Church of Christ, built in 1883. It is expected to reopen on May 1 and will be open on Friday and Saturday from 1-3 p.m.. The society meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Museum; contact them at 734-426-2519 for membership information, or to request a special time to do research.

Saline

The Saline Area Historical Society features a collection of railroad-related items from when the Saline Depot was most active, from approximately 1870 to 1939. The depot is open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is located 402 N. Ann Arbor St. Call 734-944-0442 for information about the society, or 734-429-1254 to schedule a depot visit for a group of 10 or more.

Willow Run

The Yankee Air Museum is located at the historic Willow Run Airport, and maintains an aviation and historical collection of the bomber factory that at its peak produced one B-24 bomber every 59 minutes on an aviation assembly line. The museum hosts an annual air show, Thunder over Michigan, which will be held August 7 and 8, 2010.

More historical information

This is just a small snapshot of local history resources; a visit or a contact to any one of them will help you find more details in your field of interest.

Edward Vielmetti wrote his senior thesis at the Bentley Historical Library, and knows all too well what paper from 1904 smells like. Reach him at 734-330-2465.