Joseph Druse papers

Record Group

Identifier: UA-17.230

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of papers, photographs, slides, and oversized materials. The bulk of the materials in the collection relate to Druse’s experience in Nigeria. Included are lecture notes for different courses; 80 slides featuring pots, baskets, houses, dolls, and masks; photographs featuring buildings, students, and individuals working with Druse; and a two issues of a Nsukka newspaper.

The collection also contains several historical newspapers, an 1860 voter guide, maps, publications, materials relating to the Michigan State University Centennial, war ration books, East Lansing air raid defense instructions, as well as a genealogical paper written by Sarah Van Hoosen Jones.

Dates

Creation: 1800, 1860, 1865, 1917-1964

Creator

Jones, Sarah Van Hoosen (Person)

Language of Materials

Some of the materials are in German.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Biographical Note

Joseph L. Druse was born on December 23, 1915 in Racine, Wisconsin. He first came to Michigan in 1954 as an instructor in the Humanities at Michigan State College (now Michigan State University). He received his Ph.D. in the History of Culture from the University of Chicago in 1955. Druse spent the next 26 years as a professor of History and Humanities. While at Michigan State University, Druse participated in the Nigeria Project. Beginning in 1957, MSU became involved in this project which helped establish a university in Nigeria. MSU would provide assistance through faculty and staff in developing a university rooted in African life. MSU advisors each served two-year assignments in Nigeria. Druse spent the years 1962-1964 in Nigeria working on this project.

Druse was very active in genealogy research and published widely in this field. He was the co-founder and first president of the Mid-Michigan Genealogical Society. He was also a founding member of the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society and the Greater Lansing Historical Society. He died October 22, 2004.