Zhang Legacy Collections Center
The Zhang Legacy Collections Center is home to WMU Archives, Regional History Collections and Special Collections. Named for Charles Zhang and Lynn Chen-Zhang, the Center has more than 30,000 cubic feet of resources and books, making it the largest facility of its type in southwest Michigan and one of the largest in the state.
Today's hours
Materials from the WMU Archives, Regional History Collections, and Rare Books and Special Collections must be used at Zhang and cannot be checked out.
For complex questions using archival and specialized collections, you may find you need to consult a variety of materials. Our curatorial staff can help guide that process. To be connected to the appropriate curator:
- Email arch-collect@wmich.edu.
- In the email, include your name, phone number and a statement about your research questions and goals.
Collections
WMU Archives
Yearbooks, catalogs, photographs, publications, scrapbooks and issues of the Western Herald, all documenting the history of Western Michigan University.
Regional History Collections
Letters, diaries, oral histories, photographs, public records, publications and much more about the history of southwest Michigan.
Special Collections
More than 41,000 books and other unique items from pop-up children's books to centuries-old medieval manuscripts available for your research, creative and academic projects.
Quick links
Location, parking, driving directions
Location
1650 Oakland Drive
WMU mail stop: 5307
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307
Latitude 42.276759, Longitude -85.606558
Parking
Visitors may park in the two free guest parking spaces (designated with signs) in Lot 108, north of the building. All other spaces require a WMU permit or a day pass. For information on passes, visit wmich.edu/visit/parking.
Driving directions
From I-94
Exit at Oakland Drive (#75). Continue north on Oakland Drive for 3 miles. As you cross Howard Street, we are the first drive on the left. Look for the sign–Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center.
From US-131
Exit at Stadium Drive (#36) going east. Continue on Stadium Drive to the Howard Street traffic light. Turn right at Howard. At the next light turn left on Oakland Drive. We are the first drive on the left. Look for the sign–Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center.