Merrill-Palmer Institute

Louise (Sally) Langdon Brown Papers

abarker — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:11:30 -0400

An inductee into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, Louise (Sally) Langdon Brown served in various professional positions at the Merrill-Palmer Institute throughout her career as an early childhood educator and social worker. Ms. Brown’s papers reflect her interest in childcare issues and her work as an advocate for nursery and pre-school education in the metropolitan Detroit area.

Elise Hatt Campbell Papers

drice — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 10:47:56 -0400

Elise Hatt Campbell was a staff member of the Merrill-Palmer Institute. During her tenure she conducted studies and wrote articles concerning childhood development and education, as well as taught courses at Wayne University. Campbell was also a consultant in the Detroit Council for Youth Service and Chairman of the Committee of the Detroit Council of Social Agencies.

The papers of Elise Hatt Campbell reflect her work within the Merrill-Palmer Institute and as an instructor at Wayne University. Included are notes, outlines and handouts from various speeches and lectures she gave, any correspondence regarding those lectures, and forms, charts, and test data from research completed at Merrill-Palmer. Also included are research for her articles, some published works written by Elise and an unpublished manuscript related to her work at Merrill-Palmer.

Merrill-Palmer Institute Records

drice — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:18:00 -0500

The collection illustrates the Institute’s commitment to research, education, and outreach through documentation of its programs, projects, and administration. It includes research and studies the Institute undertook, course information, nursery school, camp and club information, correspondence with students, individuals and organizations, presidential and faculty files, and day to day operational information.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Armin Grams Records

drice — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:20:11 -0500

Armin Grams was an educator specializing in developmental psychology, parent-child relations, and child rearing. He taught at several American universities, including his tenure as Head of the Human Development Program at the Merrill-Palmer Institute. His records reflect this position where he supervised and collaborated with a number of staff members whose papers are included. The files of his son, Paul Grams, which reflect his work as editor of various Merrrill-Palmer publications and as communications coordinator from 1975-1977, are also included.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Dr. Esther McGinnis Records

drice — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 14:39:14 -0400

Dr. Esther McGinnis was the Director of the Merrill-Palmer Institute from 1947-1951.
Prior to her appointment as Assistant Director in the 1930s, McGinnis was a professor of
Family Life at the Child Welfare Institute at the University of Minnesota and at State
Teaching College at Columbia University. Throughout her career at Merrill-Palmer she
did consulting work for other universities as well as government committees. Dr.
McGinnis’ records span her career both before and during her time at Merrill-Palmer and
reflect her varied activities and committee work, as well as both professional and
personal contacts.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Dr. Francis H. Palmer Records

drice — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 14:20:21 -0400

Dr. Francis H. Palmer was president of Merrill-Palmer from 1978-1981, prior to which he
worked at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He received his education
at the University of Pittsburg, published widely, mainly on preschool and early
educational child development and was very active in the Headstart program. Palmer’s
records reflect his emphasis on the psychology of preschool and elementary age children
and his direction of institutional focus to research.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Dr. J. William Rioux Records

drice — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:23:36 -0400

J. William Rioux was the president of the Merrill-Palmer Institute from 1967-1973, prior
to which he worked for the U.S. Department of Education. He was a native of Detroit
and received his Ed. D. at Wayne State University. During his time at Merrill-Palmer he
worked to diversify the student body, establish a graduate degree program, work with
urban youth, and bring more students into the program. He also emphasized
dissemination and publication of research by Merrill-Palmer faculty and staff.

The J. William Rioux Records contain mainly administrative files, which emphasize
Rioux’s commitment to urban and low-income youth and his push to bring in more
students and get them involved with the local Detroit community.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Dr. Michael D. Usdan Records

drice — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 14:12:09 -0400

Dr. Michael D. Usdan was president of the Merrill-Palmer Institute from 1974-1977.
Educated at Brown University and Teachers College at Columbia University, Usdan
worked as a professor at City University of New York before joining Merrill-Palmer. He
published widely, writing mainly on educational politics. His records document his work
on urban and lower income youth in the Detroit area, as well as research and conferences
focusing on urban poor, parent-child relationships and the impact of unemployment on
families.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Dr. Pauline Park Wilson Knapp Records

drice — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:47:04 -0400

Dr. Pauline Park Wilson Knapp was the president and director of the Merrill-Palmer
Institute from 1952-1967. Knapp received her B.S. in Home Economics from the
University of Kentucky and M.A. and Ph. D in Psychology from Columbia University.
She established the first Child Development Center in Georgia in 1928, was head of the
Department of Family and Life at the University of Alabama from 1941-45 and the Dean
of the School of Home Economics at the University of Georgia from 1946-52. In 1952
she rejoined the Merrill-Palmer Institute as president, returning to the school where she
was previously a student (1920s) and a staff member (1932-41). During her years as
president, Knapp broadened the school’s emphasis on parent education to incorporate
research on human development and increased research on applied child and family
issues. Under her leadership she increased the schools scope, built two new facilities,
The Program Center and the Skillman Center, and oversaw the largest increase in student
enrollment and faculty appointments in the history of the institute.

Knapp’s records cover day-to-day activities and long range programs, as well as the shift
in emphasis the institute underwent during Knapp’s tenure. Included are programs and
correspondence which highlight Knapp’s close relationship with students and supporters
through which she increased the influence of Merrill-Palmer and ensured continued
student enrollment. The collection also covers committees and boards Knapp served on,
as well as research conducted by the Institute, as a whole.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Dr.William McKee Records

drice — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:00:56 -0400

Dr. William Wakefield McKee was with the Merrill-Palmer Institute for 30 years in a variety of roles. He began as a faculty member in 1953, became Vice-President in 1957 and served as Acting-President during the 1973-73 school year, eventually retiring in 1983. McKee received his B. A. from the University of North Carolina, his B. D. from Yale Divinity School, a S. T. M. from Union Theological Seminary, NY, and his Ph. D. from Yale. Prior to coming to Merrill-Palmer he worked for the YMCA, the American Friends Service Commission, and the Edward W. Hagen Foundation. In addition to his work at the institute McKee was also active on many Detroit area boards of directors and trustees including the Highland Park School District, Girl Scouts of Metropolitan Detroit, Homemaker Service of Detroit, and Michigan Adult Education.

The collection covers his years at Merrill-Palmer and highlights his flexibility to work for four different presidents, each with their own visions for the institute. It documents his teaching and advising duties of both graduate and undergraduate students, his work on various institute committees and boards, his responsibilities as Chairman of the Teaching Area of the institute as well as his administrative duties as Vice-President.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Edna Noble White Records

drice — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:34:05 -0500

Edna Noble White, a pioneer in family life education, served as first director of the Merrill-Palmer Institute from her appointment in 1920 until her retirement in 1947. Under Edna Noble White’s leadership, the Institute expanded its services to include a student program of college level courses in child development, family life, parenting skills, and nursery education as well as the Merrill-Palmer Nursery School, Camps, Farm, Infant Services, and Recreational Clubs.
Ms. White was also very active professionally on a national level and engaged with Detroit youth services agencies.

The records of Edna Noble White contain personal and professional correspondence; minutes from various national, state, and local organizations as well as Merrill-Palmer committees; literature regarding child and parental education; research studies relating to child development, family relations, and immigrant acculturation; and correspondence and literature from a number of federal agencies concerned with child and family welfare.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Ernest Groves Records

drice — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:17:55 -0500

Ernest Groves was a pioneer educator on sex, marriage, and the family. He was a prolific writer on these subjects and a supporter of the birth control and sex education movements. His papers reflect these personal and professional interests.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Icie G. Macy Hoobler Papers

drice — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:26:47 -0500

Icie Macy Hoobler was a pioneer in the study of infant, child, and adolescent growth and nutrition. She conducted some of the first studies on mother's milk, metabolics of pregnant women, and the composition of cow's milk. Hoobler served as the director of chemical and biological research at the Nutrition Research Laboratory of the Merrill-Palmer Institute from 1923-1930. Her papers consist primarily of material relating to her research and professional activities.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Kresge Historical Library Records

drice — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:39:19 -0500

Renamed in 1967 with a grant from the Kresge Foundation, the Kresge Memorial Library was first established as the Merrill-Palmer Historical Library. It's initial holdings consisted of the Ernest R. Groves and Edna Noble White collections and expanded over the years through private donations with a focus on preserving historical publications concerning research in child development and family life and adding an archives to maintain the Institute's records. The records of the library document the administration and operation of the library and archives and reflect the Institute's history, educational programs, research, faculty, staff, and students from its inception in 1920 up to its affiliation with Wayne State University in 1981.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Lawrence Kelso Frank Papers

drice — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:38:06 -0500

Lawrence Kelso Frank was a leader in the movement to set up child study institutes in the 1920s & 1930s. Throughout his life he wrote and lectured widely in education, psychology, and child development. Frank did consultation work for Merrill-Palmer and had an association with that institution beginning in the 1920s. His papers, however, focus mainly on the broad scope of his publications and on two areas of professional concern: the establishment of a Friends World College and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Merrill and Palmer Families Records

drice — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:16:14 -0500

Subjects include: family business and personal history; Please note that some oversized items include ledgers.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Merrill-Palmer Corporation Records

drice — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:56:56 -0400

The Merrill-Palmer Corporation was responsible for the administration and financial affairs of the Merrill-Palmer Institute. From the membership of the corporation a board of trustees and a board of directors were elected to oversee the operation of the Merrill-Palmer Institute. Throughout the sixty years that the Merrill-Palmer Institute existed as an independent institution, prominent citizens from Detroit and the surrounding metropolitan area
served as members of the Merrill-Palmer Corporation.

The records of the Merrill-Palmer Corporation reflect its involvement in the operation of the Merrill-Palmer Institute from its inception in 1918 until its affiliation with Wayne State University in 1981.

Note: Folders 1:1, 25:5 and 25:25 are unavailable.

Merrill-Palmer Institute: Photographs and Audio-Visual Materials

drice — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 15:20:39 -0400

The Merrill-Palmer Institute was founded in 1920 by an endowment
from Lizzie Merrill Palmer. Throughout its 61 years of independent
operation, the Institute was greatly respected and internationally
known as one of the top institutions for education, training and
research in Child Development. Merrill-Palmer staff conducted and
published studies on families and children, operated a nursery school,
children's camps and clubs, offered marriage and family counseling,
and performed community service work. The Institute accepted
undergraduate and graduate students from the U. S. and internationally
and taught courses and provided research and laboratory experience
unavailable elsewhere. In 1981, the Institute came under the auspices
of Wayne State University, merging in 2005 with the Skillman
Center for Children to become the Merrill-Palmer Skillman Institute
for Child and Family Development. The Merrill-Palmer Institute:
Photographs and Audio-Visual Materials reflect the main functions of
the institute throughout its history as an independent entity and almost
twenty years into its relationship with Wayne State University. The
bulk of the materials center on the operation of the Early Childhood
Center (formerly the Merrill-Palmer Nursery School), but also cover
its programs and services, teaching and research missions, and the
Institute's physical environment.

Ethel B. Waring Papers

drice — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:46:01 -0500

Ethel B. Waring was born in 1887. She received her PhD from Columbia
University in 1927. Dr. Waring served on the faculty of Cornell University's
Department of Child Development and Family Relationships and retired in 1955.
She is the author of several books and articles on child development.
The papers of Dr. Waring reflect her teaching and research activities at
Cornell University.

Subject Focus: Merrill-Palmer Institute

drice — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 10:40:52 -0400

With the 2013-2014 school year in full swing, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on the American educational system and, in particular, how it all begins – preschool. As the topic of high quality preschool becomes increasingly relevant in the 21st century, it is important to note that it is not a new concept. The Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute (MPSI), an active research center on Wayne State University's campus, was a pioneer in addressing these early formative years of a child's education. read more »

Subject Focus: Merrill-Palmer Summer Camp

drice — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 00:00:00 -0400

With the school year now upon us, the Reuther Library presents a look back at summers past as recorded in the Merrill-Palmer collections. As Edna Noble White, first director of the Merrill-Palmer Institute, once said, "The children of a nation are its greatest potential asset." This belief was reflected in the Institute's main role, which was the understanding and interpretation of the individual from birth to adulthood. read more »

The Merrill-Palmer Outdoor Summer Program, Dryden, MI, brochure

drice — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 11:08:55 -0400

Front cover of a brochure for the Merrill-Palmer Summer Camp.

(30736) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 11:21:56 -0400

Children and teacher in the classroom. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30737) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:06:06 -0500

Two children play with blocks. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30738) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 15:12:53 -0400

Nursery school children are weighed at Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30739) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:10:30 -0500

Three children play outdoors. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30740) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 13:44:41 -0400

Children laying on cots at nap time. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30741) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:12:36 -0500

Children and teachers eating outdoors. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30742) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:14:57 -0500

Children and teachers with a bird house. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30743) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 15:32:10 -0400

Children and teacher dining at the Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30744) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Freer House, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 15:22:51 -0400

Facade of the Freer House, Detroit, Michigan.

(30746) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:20:26 -0500

Two children solve a puzzle. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30747) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 13:25:47 -0400

Children playing outside the Freer House, Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30748) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:22:51 -0500

Two children play. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30749) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:25:15 -0500

Children look on as a birdhouse is put up outside the Freer House. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30750) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:27:17 -0500

A child holds her tray during meal time. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30751) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:28:52 -0500

Two girls wash dishes. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30752) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 15:25:20 -0400

Two children painting outdoors at the Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30753) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 13:55:21 -0400

Child on a bicycle pulling wagons. Nursery school activities, Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30754) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:31:08 -0500

Children rake leaves. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30755) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 13:53:23 -0400

Two children solve puzzles. Nursery school activities, Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30756) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:32:48 -0500

Children with a dog. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30757) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:35:08 -0500

Children help a teacher with planting. Nursery school activities. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(30758) Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan, Circa 1920s

drice — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 13:50:31 -0400

Children and teacher looking at rabbits in a cage on the grounds of the Merrill-Palmer School. Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.

(32324) Horseback riding at Merrill-Palmer Summer Camp

drice — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 09:24:20 -0400

Snapshot of two children readying a horse for riding at the Merrill-Palmer Summer Camp.

(32325) Boy camper at Merrill-Palmer Summer Camp

drice — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 09:40:35 -0400

Snapshot of a boy leaning out his cabin window to water flowers in a window box.

(32326) Swimming at Merrill-Palmer Summer Camp

drice — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 10:23:02 -0400

Snapshot of campers and counselors on the dock watching swimmers in the water of the swimming area on Brooks Lake at Merrill-Palmer Summer Camp.

(32328) Tug-of-War or Raising the Flagpole!; Merrill-Palmer Summer Camp

drice — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 10:35:40 -0400

Snapshot of Merrill-Palmer Summer Camp counselors and campers pulling on a rope.

(32329) Into Brooks Lake, Merrill-Palmer Summer Camp

drice — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 10:40:30 -0400

Child dives into the water of Brooks Lake at Merrill-Palmer Summer Camp.

(32330) The Olympian Games - Archery, Merrill-Palmer Summer Camp

drice — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 10:47:21 -0400

Snapshot of children and a counselor in ancient Greek costume demonstrate archery skills while families look on.