Special Collections

The Detroit Public Library is the home of some of the greatest collections of materials in Michigan. Many of our collections are used nationally and internationally. Click any of the below links and learn more about these special collections.

Burton Historical Collection Created on the foundation of Clarence M. Burton’s private library, the Burton Historical Collection (BHC) incorporates original documents, genealogical materials, a Rare Book Collection, the Ernie Harwell Sports Collection, and a sizable image collection. Hackley Collection The first of its kind in the world, the Hackley Collection, is named after a Detroit music educator and performer, and focuses on the contributions by blacks to the performing arts. It includes rare books, manuscripts, sheet music, photographs, and recorded sound. Municipal Reference Library A depository for local government documents, the Municipal Reference Library (MRL) is both a branch and a department of the Detroit Public Library, and is located in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. The MRL serves as a research center for Detroit and Wayne County municipal employees. National Automotive History Collection Located in the Rose and Robert Skillman Branch Library of the Detroit Public Library, the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC) is regarded as the nation's premier public automotive archive. The NAHC documents the history and development of the automobile and other forms of transportation in the United States and abroad.   Digital Collection - Online Exhibits Ernie Harwell Online Exhibit A sampling of materials, along with portions of the finding aid, from the Ernie Harwell Sports Collection, donated to the Burton Historical Collection in 1965. Drawing Power: An Exhibit of Motor City Ad Art in the the Age of Muscle and Chrome A web-based version of an exhibit at the National Automotive History Collection featuring original works of advertising art created by Detroit advertising studios during their height of creativity. The Making of Modern Michigan Images from the Packard Motor Car Collection and the 1909 Detroit-Kansas City Glidden Tour, along with photos of auto factories in Detroit and Michigan, are part of this statewide database, and completed with assistance from a Library Services and Technology Grant from the state of Michigan. The Hackley.org A digital collection of sheet music from the E. Azalia Hackley Collection, created in collaboration with DALNET (Detroit Area Library Network), of over 600 pieces of 19th and 20th century sheet music published between 1799 and 1922. Song themes cover early 19th century plantation life in the American South, the Civil War period, early 20th century popular music, and the stereotypical themes associated with black face minstrelsy. The Lincoln Collection The Detroit Public Library's Special Collections houses documents relating to Abraham Lincoln. This online exhibit showcases some of those items. Of foremost interest is a letter from eleven-year-old Grace Bedell encouraging the beardless presidential candidate to improve his appearance by letting "your whiskers grow" because "all the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you and then you would be President." Harvey C. Jackson Collection Harvey C. Jackson, Sr. married his wife Helen, in 1906. Jackson was 30 and Helen 28 years of age at the time of their marriage. They had five children, two sons; Harvey Jackson, Jr., John O. Jackson, and three daughters; Helen Thomas, Lucinda Cook White, and Cora Isabelle Wilmot. Helen Jackson died in October 20, 1943, at the age of 65. Jackson continued to work as a photographer at the Beaubien Street studio until his death. Harvey C. Jackson, Sr. died on March 15, 1957, at the age of 81. The Third Michigan Cavalry Collection The Third Michigan Cavalry was organized in Grand Rapids in September of 1861. They were mustered into service on Oct. 4th, 1861 with 1,160 officers and enlisted men enrolled. The regiment left Michigan for St. Louis, Missouri, in November of 1861 under the command of Colonel Robert H.G. Minty. They were sent south to the Shiloh battlefield in March and then took part in the siege of Corinth, Miss., in May of 1862. New members were enlisted while in Corinth.