View of mural triptych on Man's Mobility by John S. Coppin located in Adam Strohm Hall at the Detroit Public Library. Below murals is a librarian at reference desk; bookshelves and card catalog in background. Typed on back: "The Detroit News, December 7, 1964."

Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

View of Adam Strohm Hall, on the third floor of the Main Library, Detroit Public Library. Stained glass windows in background; coffered ceiling overhead. Room is furnished with tables, chairs and bookshelves. Light fixtures are suspended from ceiling. Typed on back: "Detroit Public Library, Adam Strohm Hall." Stamped on back: "Manning Bros., Inc. Commercial photographers, 333 State St., Room 505, Detroit, Michigan."

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

Adam Julius Strohm (February 16, 1870 – October 30, 1951)

Swedish-American librarian. He was born in Vänersborg, Sweden and came to the United States in 1892. He was educated at the University of Uppsala, Sweden, and the University of Illinois. Strohm served as chief librarian of the Detroit Public Library from 1912 until his retirement in 1941. Prior to moving to Detroit, he served as librarian at the University of Illinois.

He was recognized as a pioneer of introducing branch libraries to public libraries. Strohm served as President of the American Library Association from 1930 to 1931. (Wikipedia)

“Mean surroundings make mean people: things of beauty cleanse the heart”

Close-up view of decorative metalwork grille on doorway to Adam Strohm Hall, Main Library, Detroit Public Library. Label on back: "Adam Strohm grille. Main Library entrance into Home Reading Dept. Grille dedicated on Wednesday, March 2, 1955. No. 2, copy 5." Stamped on back: "A photograph by MacGregor and Company, Detroit." Handwritten on back: "Main Library. Art, entrance decorative grate to Adam Strohm Hall. Photo taken in 1955."

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

View of Adam Strohm Hall, Main Library, Detroit Public Library. Reference desks and bookshelves in background; customers reading in foreground. Clock and inscription "Fiction, people & places, current affairs" in front of shelves. Printed on front: "Detroit Library Commission. Addns. & alts. to Main Public Library. F.H. Martin Construction Company. Descr. lkg. west, Adam Strohm Hall. No. 66. Date: 10-24-60. Win Brunner, photo."

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

Mural by Gari Melchers depicting Cadillac embracing his wife on wharf at Detroit, located in Adam Strohm Hall at the Detroit Public Library. Ship with Madame Tonty in foreground; soldiers and fort in background. Printed on back: “The Detroit Public Library, 5201 Woodward Avenue, Detroit 2, Michigan. Landing of Cadillac’s wife, a mural by Gari Melchers (1860-1932) in Adam Strohm Hall, Main Library. Lithocolor Division, Microfilms, Inc. Ann Arbor, Michigan.”

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

View of mural triptych on Man's Mobility by John S. Coppin located in Adam Strohm Hall at the Detroit Public Library. Printed on front: "Adam Strohm Hall, Detroit Public Library." Printed on back: "Detroit Public Library, Detroit, Michigan. Adam Strohm Hall. An exhibition center for the display of books and other cultural materials. This room of outstanding architectural beauty is enhanced by the mural triptych on Man's Mobility, designed and created by Detroit artist John S. Coppin. Photo by John Penrod. [copyright] Penrod/Hiawatha Co., Berrien Center, Michigan 49102, phone 616-461-6993."

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

Our 10,000th post!

(It probably feels like we post 10,000 a day sometimes, but we really like to share! Many thanks to all of our followers for sticking with us!)

View of men and women reading in Adam Strohm Hall, on the third floor of the Main Library, Detroit Public Library. Stained glass windows in background; room is furnished with tables and chairs. Light fixtures are suspended from ceiling. Typed on back: "Detroit Public Library, Adam Strohm Hall." Stamped on back: "Manning Bros., commercial photographers, 504-505 Lincoln Building, corner State and Park Sts., Detroit, Mich."

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

View of mural triptych on Man's Mobility by John S. Coppin located in Adam Strohm Hall at the Detroit Public Library. Below murals is a librarian at reference desk; bookshelves and card catalog in background. Typed on back: "The Detroit News, December 7, 1964."

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

Blue Bird Stage Homecoming Celebration

Hosted by the Detroit Sound Conservancy

Saturday, August 26, 2017 - 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm in Adam Strohm Hall at the Main Detroit Public Library, 5201 Woodward Avenue

An afternoon of storytelling, video installation, poetry, and music.

Confirmed participants: Marion Hayden, Wendell Harrison, YAK, Kenneth Gill, Jim Gallert, and master of ceremonies Michelle McKinney.

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/1608510049181839/

The Blue Bird Inn Jazz Stage is currently on display at the Detroit Public Library through the summer.

Hundreds of jazz musicians, including Miles Davis and John Coltrane, stood and performed on the Blue Bird Inn Jazz Stage from the late 1950s until the club’s closing earlier this century. It’s an exceptional example of African American mid-century vernacular art and design as well as a launchpad for sonic and social rebellion during the Civil Rights movement in Detroit. Rebuilt by Detroit Sound Conservancy with funding from Detroit Creative Corridor, curation by The Work Department and Public Design Trust, and activation by high school vocalists from Cornerstone Schools in Detroit, the stage has already made its debut as a modular and mobile programming experience at this year’s Saint-Étienne UNESCO-inspired Biennale.

Pontiac or Obwandiyag (c. 1720 – April 20, 1769) 

Odawa war chief who became noted for his role in Pontiac's War (1763–1766), an American Indian struggle against British military occupation of the Great Lakes region and named for him. (Wikipedia)

Mural by Gari Melchers depicting the conspiracy of Chief Pontiac, located in Adam Strohm Hall at the Detroit Public Library. Mural depicts Pontiac and other chiefs presenting a wampum belt to Major Gladwin, commandant of Fort Detroit. Printed on back: "The Detroit Public Library, 5201 Woodward Avenue, Detroit 2, Michigan. The conspiracy of Pontiac, a mural by Gari Melchers (1860-1932) in Adam Strohm Hall, Main Library. Lithocolor Division, Microfilms, Inc. Ann Arbor, Michigan."

Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library