The History of the University of Michigan Observatories

by Dave Snyder
Revised: November 2004

From 1852 to the present, the University of Michigan has operated a number of observatories (some in Ann Arbor and others in various parts of the world including South Africa and Chile). For most of that history amateurs have played an important role in the development of these observatories. Up until 1948, most of the money to buy observatory equipment came from private donations (often businessmen who had an interest in astronomy). In particular, the McMath-Hulbert Observatory was founded by two businessman and a judge.

For more information, follow these links:

• The Detroit Observatory (including the Student’s Observatory).
• The Angell Hall Observatory.
• Photographs - The Telescopes of Angell Hall Observatory (1926-1994).
• The Lamont-Hussey Observatory.
• The McMath-Hulbert Observatory.
• The Portage Lake Observatory.
• Photographs - Construction of the Curtis Schmidt Observatory.
• The Peach Mountain Observatory.
• Photographs - Construction of the McMath Telescope Building.
• Other Observatories (including the McGraw-Hill Observatory at Kitt Peak and the Cerro Tololo Observatory in Chile).

Links

• Astronomy Bibliography for the History of U of M Observatories (references for the above material).
• The History of the University of Michigan Observatories.
• About Me
• Home

Modified August 11, 2025