William L. Clements Library
LightNews LightNews
banner
clementslibrary.bsky.social
William L. Clements Library
@clementslibrary.bsky.social
27 followers 15 following 91 posts
The William L. Clements Library collects, preserves, and makes available historical resources about the Americas, with particular strengths in 18th and 19th century American history.

The library is open for research by appointment.

clements.umich.edu
Posts Replies Media Videos
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Thomas Paine’s calls for American independence in “Common Sense” weren’t received well by everyone in the years following its publication.

This engraving depicts a caricature of Paine meant to frame him as irrational and lower class in comparison to the Anglo Peace Commissioner.
Portion of the engraving “Le Fameux Empyrique Anglois Américain,” [c. 178-?]. Caricature of Thomas Paine holding a bottle labeled “Union.” His exaggerated features, extremely skinny physique, and torn coat are labeled. Caption: “The famous Anglo-American empiricist [:] I possess the true remedy for the fury of English oppression.” Portion of the engraving “Le Fameux Empyrique Anglois Américain,” [c. 178-?]. Caption: “The Anglo Peace Commissioner appointed to deal with the United States of America.” Figure is holding a document “Article 1 Independence Recognized.” Label pointing at the peace commissioner reads “portrayed as higher class and more rational than Paine.”
February 3, 2026 at 6:05 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
We’re not sure if we can handle six more weeks of winter, Mr. Phil… 🥶🧣

This groundhog is taken from John James Audubon's “Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America” jointly purchased with the University of Michigan Special Collections Research Center, images courtesy SCRC.

#GroundhogDay
Groundhog from a plate from John James Audubon's “Viviparous Quadrupeds” wearing a top hat and saying “Six more weeks of winter!” with snowflakes in the background.
February 2, 2026 at 2:33 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
The William L. Clements Library will be closing at 1:30 pm today. Thank you for your understanding!

📸: Marc-Gregor Campredon, Office of University Development, Regents of the University of Michigan
“The Clements Library will close at 1:30 pm today, January 30.” Photo of the exterior of the Clements Library, and carriage steps in the shape of two stacked books.
January 30, 2026 at 2:42 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Happy #LibraryShelfieDay! 📚📸
Katie Jaede, Assistant Director of Development in the The Norton Strange Townshend Room. “#LibraryShelfieDay” Historic Visual Culture Graduate Assistant Ella Brooks-Kamper in the The Norton Strange Townshend Room with the trovel used by Mr. Clements to lay the corner stone of the library in 1923. An arrow points to Ella’s phone’s reflection in the glass, labeled “shelfieception!” Sierra Laddusaw, Curator of Maps and Graphics in the vault Head of Reader Services Josh Sulser, Librarian for Instruction and Engagement Maggie Vanderford, Information Resources Assistant Emma Schneider, and grad student intern Theresa Azemar in the reference office! Full house!
January 28, 2026 at 7:01 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
“Light from the Spirit World” is one of several works written by spiritualists alleging that they were able to connect with Thomas Paine after his death and become physical vessels for his metaphysical spirit via electrical currents! ⚡

#America250 #ThomasPaine #AmericanRevolution
“Diagram, Representing the Different Circles and Spheres in the Spirit World” from Charles Hammond’s “Light from the Spirit World: The pilgrimage of Thomas Paine, and others, to the seventh circle in the spirit world” (1852). Header for Chapter II of Charles Hammond’s “Light from the Spirit World: The pilgrimage of Thomas Paine, and others, to the seventh circle in the spirit world” (1852), “Interview with Wm. Penn and Paine’s Conversion.” includes quotation attributed to Thomas Paine’s spirit regarding communicating through a medium.
January 27, 2026 at 5:50 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1837, Michigan was admitted as the 26th state.

A map of Michigan is easily at hand for most people, whether it is on the phone in their pocket or demonstrated by simply holding up their hand! It wasn’t always that simple.
John Farmer Improved map of the territories of Michigan and Ouisconsin 1836 Improved map of the territories of Michigan and Ouisconsin (pronounced Wisconsin) on a scale of 30 geographical miles to an inch Matthew Carey 1801 United States (east of the Mississippi) From: Carey, Mathew. Carey’s American pocket atlas …, 1801
January 26, 2026 at 3:57 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Stay warm today, wolverines! 🥶

📷: David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcards Series
“Ice storm Cadillac Mich 1922” real photo postcard of a power line covered in ice.
January 23, 2026 at 2:56 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
The William L. Clements Library holds 58 editions of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense: Addressed to the Inhabitants of America.” Upon the 250th anniversary of its January 1776 publication, one might ask: Why so many? 🤔
January 22, 2026 at 3:04 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
This 1905 postcard postmarked right here in Ann Arbor is a testament to the long-standing love of squirrels on and around the U-M campus.

🐿️: David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series

#SquirrelAppreciationDay
Photograph of a squirrel perched on a knee with seeds to eat, from the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography.
January 21, 2026 at 6:29 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
“Grandpa when he made cheese for Warner” 🧀

📸: David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series

#NationalCheeseLoversDay #ClementsLibrary #Postcard
Real photo postcard of two men in a workroom. Portion of the backside of the post card with manuscript note reading “Grandpa when he made cheese for Warner.”
January 20, 2026 at 7:12 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Explore our student-curated exhibit, “Revolutionary Paine,” during a guided tour this Friday, 1/23 from 4-5 pm! 📚

Reserve your spot for this free event here: myumi.ch/3RwnA

#UMichEvents #America250
“Join us for a guided tour of the U-M Clements Library. Current Exhibit: Revolutionary Paine. January 23, 4-5 pm. Free & open to the public!” Depiction of an Anglo Peace Commissioner from the political cartoon Le Fameux Empyrique Anglois Américain, [c. 178-?].
January 19, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Reposted by William L. Clements Library
pennpress.bsky.social
This Thursday, January 22, at 4 p.m. ET, don't miss Jordan B. Smith discussing his new book THE INVENTION OF RUM in a hybrid virtual and in-person event hosted by @clementslibrary.bsky.social as part of the Drinking the Revolution series! Register now.
Drinking the Revolution Series - The Invention of Rum in an Era of Revolution with Jordan Smith - UM Clements Library
Planning a research visit?
bit.ly
January 18, 2026 at 4:28 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Explore collections from the Manuscripts and Graphics Divisions made available this month in our most recent blog post: myumi.ch/pV5m1
New Manuscripts and Graphics Finding Aids, January 2026 - UM Clements Library
Explore collections from the Manuscripts and Graphics Divisions made available this month!
myumi.ch
January 15, 2026 at 6:02 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
🚨 Don’t miss your chance! Applications for fellowships at the Clements Library are due this Thursday. 🚨

We’re known for our Revolutionary War collections, but did you know we offer fellowships supporting research in areas like Native American history, early American journalism, and band history?
“Fellowship applications due this Thursday!” Background image: Columns of the Clements Library.
January 13, 2026 at 6:50 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
How well do you know the Clements Library? 🤔 Test your knowledge!

#ClementsTrivia #MichiganTrivia #UMTrivia #Trivia
January 5, 2026 at 8:27 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Sarah Donovan spent months here at the Clements after being awarded the Jacob M. Price Fellowship, diving deep into our incredible early Americana collections and uncovering fascinating stories for her dissertation.
January 2, 2026 at 7:58 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Merry Christmas Eve!

🖼️: Christmas eve : home scene--with presents / painted by J.L. Krimmel ; engraved by John Sartain, Philada. Based on John Lewis Krimmel's oil painting titled "Return from market." [ca. 1870]
Outdoor scene showing a woman arriving in a horse-drawn carriage. She is ringing a small bell and people of all ages are celebrating her arrival. In the foreground, two young children examine a basket of goods. A man carries another basket towards a building at left. A cat, a dog, birds, and other animals are depicted in the scene.
December 24, 2025 at 2:33 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
As Hanukkah celebrations enter their final night, the Clements Library wishes all who are celebrating a happy holiday filled with peace and joy.

Happy Hanukkah! 🕎
December 22, 2025 at 8:46 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1913, a crossword puzzle was published for the first time in the “New York World” newspaper. To celebrate, we created our very own “Clements Crossword” including Clements vocab relating to our history, our work, and our collections!
Crossword puzzle featuring words relating to the William L. Clements Library.
December 21, 2025 at 4:15 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice! ❄️

Here is a nice reminder of the warmth we find in spring and summer, the changing leaves in fall, and the beautiful yet icy sights in winter.

Stay warm everyone! 🧣

📷: David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series
Postcard of young adults engaging in summer activities on a dock, titled “A Summer Afternoon on the Bathing Beach Beulah Mich.” From the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series. Postcard of a man on the Chippewa River, titled “The Chippewa River 2 Barryton.” From the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Serie. Postcard of Tahquamenon frozen waterfalls, titled “Tahquamenon Falls 3/16/28” From the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series. Postcard of three steam boats on an iced cover lake, titled “Winter Scenes Grand Haven Mich.” From the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series.
December 20, 2025 at 5:41 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Two is always better than one! 👭

Happy #NationalTwinDay to all those who celebrate life side-by-side with their built-in best friend!

📷: ⁨Daguerreotype of two young women posing with song book. [1840s-50s].
⁨Daguerreotype portrait of twin sisters published between 1840 and 1850, titled “Two young women posing with song book.” Case for daguerreotype portrait with brown leather covers, red velvet pad, pebbled octagonal mat, and two hook-and-eye locks.
December 18, 2025 at 3:29 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
On #ThisDayinHistory in 1773, tea was spilled…. Into the Boston Harbor. ☕

The Boston Tea Party was an early moment in the American Revolution against British rule, and is described by Hewes in “A Retrospect of the Boston Tea-Party” ca. 1784.

#AmericanHistory
Title page of “A Retrospect of the Boston Tea-Party with a Memoir of George R. T. Hewes, a survivor of the little band of patriots who drowned the tea in Boston harbour in 1773.” with portrait of George R. T. Hewes from the same book. Background image: Plan of the town of Boston [1784].
December 16, 2025 at 4:06 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
⏳ Just one month left!

Applications for Clements Library fellowships are due one month from today.

Apply by January 15, 2026 for consideration: myumi.ch/qVjr4

#Fellowships #FundedFellowships #ResearchFellowships #UniversityofMichigan #HistoryResearch #AmericanHistory #GoBlue
“Fellowship Applications due one month from today!” Clements Library calendar open to January 2026 with “Fellowship Applications DUE!!!” written over the 15th. Calendar shows portrait of Thomas Paine (1737-1809) engraved by Albert Schule, as well as the cover of a 1776 copy of “Common Sense: Addressed to the Inhabitants of America,” by Thomas Paine, published in Newport by Solomon Southwick.
December 15, 2025 at 7:52 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Today is #NationalHorseDay, a celebration of the impact these beautiful animals have had on American history and culture.

📷: David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series
Image of a black horse, titled “Sherd Rormine and Old Dan horse on Mail rout.” From the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series. Image of a white horse pulling a carriage, titled “[Bath].” From the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series. Image of a black horse pulling a man and carriage, titled “July 2-34, ‘The Old Timers’ of Family Arrive Via. G.T. RY.” From the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series. Image of a horse ride with a crowd observing, titled “Horse Races At Fair Grounds Manistique, Mich.” From the David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography, Real Photo Postcard Series.
December 13, 2025 at 9:42 PM
clementslibrary.bsky.social
Graduate student book cataloger Naomi Yu has been churning out catalog records all semester, and these five publications caught her eye! Read on to learn about the adventurous Captain Jack, phrenology in the Clements collections, and famous American counterfeiters.

🔗 myumi.ch/JPyVq
New Books at the Clements: Bandits, Phrenologists, and Counterfeits - UM Clements Library
myumi.ch
December 12, 2025 at 8:02 PM