Michael Davis papers

Collection

Identifier: 018.MD

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Michael Davis papers contain research files and publication materials related to his book, America's Favorite Homes, published in 1988 with Wayne State University Press. It is organized into two series and multiple subseries.

The ARTICLES AND RESEARCH FILES series is comprised of research materials such as articles and kit home catalogs from Aladdin, American Bungalow, Gordon-Van Tine, Harris Bros., Hirschfield, Home Builders, Lewis, Mershon and Morely, Michigan Pipe Company, Radford, Sears, and Ward. Catalogs date from the early 1900s through the early 1990s.

The AMERICA'S FAVORITE HOMES: PUBLICATION MATERIALS series contains draft chapters, photograph captions, proposal package, drafts/notes, and information on the 1991 relaunch of the publication.

Dates

Creation: 1903 - 1991

Conditions Governing Access

Researchers are asked to request materials 24 hours prior to visiting the the University Archives.

Biographical / Historical

Michael Davis (Michael W. R. Davis) was born in Buffalo, New York in 1932 and grew up in Kouisville, Kentucky. He lived in Metro Detroit from 1957 until his death from Coronovirus in April of 2020. Davis worked in marketing and public relations for Ford Motor Company and the Detroit Evening News Association for 27 years. At age 49, he earned a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from Eastern Michigan University and later completed course work for a doctorate in History of Technology from Wayne State University. A few years later he became the Executive Director of the Detroit Historical Society. Davis has authored/co-authored 14 books, 13 of which focused on the history of Detroit and the Detroit automotive industry.

Extent

4 Linear Feet (5 archive boxes, 1 record center carton, 1 oversized folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Michael Davis papers contain research files and publication materials related to his book America's Favorite Homes, published in 1988 with Wayne State University Press.