The Ernie Harwell Sports Collection began in 1966 when sportscaster Ernie Harwell made his initial donation. It consists of books, team annuals, media guides, programs, scorecards, baseball cards, clippings, photographs, video and audio tapes. Baseball is the principal sport represented. A printed finding aid, available at the reference desk of the Burton Historical Collection, and the library’s online catalog provide access to the Collection.

Digital reproductions of items in the Harwell Collection may be purchased by completing the Special Collections Reproduction Order Form.  Customers are not permitted to use personal cameras or scanners to reproduce photographs or postcards.

An exhibit area called “The Lulu and Ernie Harwell Room” in the Main Library, 5201 Woodward Ave., houses a portion of the collection, in addition to seats from Tiger Stadium at Michigan and Trumbull and a mock broadcast booth.  Please call (313) 481-1401 for an appointment.

Resources

• Ernie Harwell Chronology
• Harwell Collection holdings for the Negro Leagues and African American baseball players
• National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA)
• Society for American Baseball Research
• Special Collections Reproduction Order Form

Donations to Special Collections

Contact Information

Ernie Harwell Sports Collection
Detroit Public Library
5201 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48202

(313) 481-1401
harwell@detroitpubliclibrary.org