Burns Park in Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
William L. Clements Library
1923
Photographed By Joel S., April 4, 2016
1. William L. Clements Library marker
Inscription.
William L. Clements Library. William L. Clements (1882, LLD 1934hon) was a regent of the University of Michigan (1910-1933) whose life-long avocation was the collection of books, maps and related materials on American History from 1492 to 1800. In 1922, he donated to the university his substantial collection of rare books, early newspapers, manuscripts, and maps. He felt that the preservation of such works and their availability for scholarly research would be of great benefit to mankind. He also donated the funds for a building to house the William Clements Library of American History. Designed by noted Detroit architect Albert Kahn, the Clements Library Building was built of Indiana limestone, and completed in 1923. An expression of the Italian Renaissance style, the building was based on a sixteenth century Italian casino and reflected the elegance of the hillside palaces of Genoa, the port from which Columbus sailed. After a distinguished career, Albert Kahn said he desired most to be remembered as the architect of the Clements Library.
William L. Clements (1882, LLD 1934hon) was a regent of the University of Michigan (1910-1933) whose life-long avocation was the collection of books, maps and related materials on American History from 1492 to 1800. In 1922, he donated to the university his substantial collection of rare books, early newspapers, manuscripts, and maps. He felt that the preservation of such works and their availability for scholarly research would be of great benefit to mankind. He also donated the funds for a building to house the William Clements Library of American History. Designed by noted Detroit architect Albert Kahn, the Clements Library Building was built of Indiana limestone, and completed in 1923. An expression of the Italian Renaissance style, the building was based on a sixteenth century Italian casino and reflected the elegance of the hillside palaces of Genoa, the port from which Columbus sailed. After a distinguished career, Albert Kahn said he desired most to be remembered as the architect of the Clements Library.
Erected 2006 by History and Traditions Committee, University of Michigan. (Marker Number 16.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.
Location. 42° 16.505′
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N, 83° 44.281′ W. Marker is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. It is in Burns Park. Marker is at the intersection of South University Avenue and Tappan Avenue, on the right when traveling west on South University Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 909 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor MI 48109, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . 1. History of the William L. Clements Library. (Submitted on April 7, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.) 2. Clements Library. (Submitted on October 9, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photographed By Joel S., April 4, 2016
2. William L. Clements Library and marker
The marker is on the ground to the left of the blue "William L. Clements Library" sign. The building behind the Clements Library is the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library.
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, September 10, 2021
3. William L. Clements Library Cornerstone
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, September 10, 2021
4. William L. Clements Library
Located over east window
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, September 10, 2021
5. William L. Clements Library
Located over west window
circa 1920
6. Clements Library, University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 707 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 7, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 13, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 6. submitted on December 12, 2016.
