Second-oldest campus building now part of Bentley

During the course of her research on the Detroit Observatory's early history, Patricia "Sandy" Whitesell, the director and curator emerita, says her curiosity about the University's first president and founder of the 1854 observatory, Henry Tappan, became an obsession. To find out more about Tappan and his son-in-law, Franz Brünnow, the observatory's inaugural director, Whitesell tried to track down any living descendants from the two families.

The observatory was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. (Photo courtesy Detroit Observatory)

"But the path got faint around the 1930s when daughters took on married names. Then in March 2001 an e-mail appeared in my in-box from Tappan's great, great granddaughter-Brünnow's great granddaughter," Whitesell says. "After all my searching, she had found me through a Google search on the Internet. An exciting exchange of information and mutual enthusiasm is now a warm friendship that will endure for a lifetime."

Prior to this introduction Whitesell had published a book, "A Creation of His Own: Tappan's Detroit Observatory," which told the early history of the achievement at U-M that gave Tappan his greatest sense of accomplishment. His vision was to transform the University from the singular pursuit of a classical course of study to one that included science and research. This was the genesis of the modern research university that we know today. Tappan named the observatory to honor philanthropists largely from Detroit whose contributions he garnered to make his dream a reality.

The newest chapter for the storied 1854 observatory is one that transfers the University's largest historical artifact and second-oldest campus building to the care of the Bentley Historical Library.

Whitesell passed the keys to Bentley Library in late June and will retire from the University Aug. 31 after nearly 32 years of service. In retirement, she will continue her work on a book-length biography of the observatory's second director, James Watson.

"I will miss the observatory more than I can express," Whitesell says. "It was a great privilege to serve the University in this way—an opportunity of a lifetime."

The 151-year-old observatory formerly reported to the Office of the Provost. Francis X. Blouin, director of the historical library, says the move to the Bentley makes sense, since the observatory is a museum and an important part of the archives of the University.

"It tells us a lot about the University in the mid-19th century," Blouin says. "We will work to preserve and provide access to it. We're going to try to determine how best to integrate existing programs with the Bentley."

Blouin says he looks forward to working with a very loyal friends group, including about a half dozen volunteer docents who conduct tours for students, faculty and numerous outside organizations each year.

Visitors come to see the impressive telescopes, one of which is the oldest of its generation and type anywhere in the world to have persisted intact in its original mount. Under Whitesell's leadership, the building served as a center for 19th century and museum studies, highlighting such accomplishments as the discovery of 21 minor planets and two comets using the observatory's telescopes.

"I am confident that the observatory's future will be secure with the oversight and dedication of Fran Blouin, who not only is the director of the Bentley but also chair of the University's History and Traditions Committee," says Provost Paul N. Courant. "Going forward, the University will continue to benefit from the remarkable historical, architectural, scientific and cultural resources of the observatory."

Considered one of the great treasures of the University, the Detroit Observatory was restored under Whitesell's leadership from 1994-98. The precise attention to detail and accuracy of the restoration was among the best nationally. The observatory was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and last year the University celebrated the historic building's 150th anniversary.