While the collection includes some material from the early life of the Society, the bulk dates from the mid-1950s to the present and includes minutes of the meetings, financial records, presidential materials, correspondence, histories, photograph albums, programs, scrapbooks, and miscellaneous materials. Also included are numerous published volumes of poetry by members of the Society, an incomplete run of Peninsula Poets up to early 2002 (Missing 1955-1958), and published and unpublished materials by and from the library of Joseph Cherwinski (1914-1985), Lansing poet, librarian, and editor of Peninsula Poets, 1953-1975.
The collection is ongoing.
Organizational History:
Organized in 1936, the Poetry Society of Michigan continues to actively promote the mutual interests of Michigan poets, encourage a greater understanding of the nature of poetry, and increase cooperation among poets and those interested in poetry. The Society sponsors poetry contests, works with young people to encourage them to read and write poetry, publishes Peninsula Poets, a quarterly magazine, and holds regular meetings throughout the state in the spring, summer, and fall.
