Roosevelt School Photographs

Images captured by Leonard Menzi date from the late 1920s to the early 1940s and document Roosevelt School’s history. Roosevelt School was constructed on the Michigan State Normal College campus in 1925, becoming the second laboratory school on the campus after Welch Hall. Roosevelt remained a laboratory school until 1969, when the Michigan State Legislature governed the dismantling of the laboratory school system. Menzi served as the faculty advisor to the school's photography club and as the school's principal. 

  • A Baby Sitting on a Chair

    A baby sits alone on a chair. From an envelope titled "Mr. Misner, Paul Misner."

  • A Baseball Player Poses with His Bat

    A baseball player poses with his bat. Roosevelt School appears in the background. From an envelope titled "Spring Sports, 1933."

  • A Baseball Player Poses with His Bat

    A baseball player poses with his bat. Other players appear in the background. From an envelope titled "Spring Sports, 1933."

  • A Basketball Player Catches a Basketball

    A player catches a basketball in the gym. From an envelope titled "Basketball, 1933."

  • A Basketball Player Holds a Basketball

    A player holds a basketball on the court. From an envelope titled "Basketball, 1933."

  • A Basketball Player on the Court

    A basketball player picks up a basketball from the floor. From an envelope titled "Basketball, 1933."

  • A Basketball Player Poses on the Court

    A basketball player poses in a blocking position. From an envelope titled "Basketball, 1933."

  • A Basketball Player Poses with a Basketball

    A basketball player poses with a basketball on the court. From an envelope titled "Basketball, 1933."

  • A Basketball Player Poses with a Basketball

    A basketball player poses with a basketball. He leans toward the camera. From an envelope titled "Basketball, 1933."

  • A Basketball Player Poses with a Basketball

    A basketball player poses on the court. From an envelope titled "Basketball Team, 1934."

  • A Basketball Player Poses with a Basketball

    A basketball player, with an outstretched arm, holds a basketball. From an envelope titled "Basketball, 1933."

  • A Basketball Player Poses with a Basketball

    A basketball player poses on the court, appearing to pass a basketball. From an envelope titled "Basketball, 1933."

  • A Basketball Player Poses with a Basketball

    A basketball player poses with a basketball, appearing to be making a shot. From an envelope titled Basketball, 1933."

  • A Basketball Player Poses with a Basketball

    A basketball player poses on the court, appearing as if he just caught a basketball. From an envelope titled "Basketball Team, 1934."

  • A Basketball Player Poses with a Basketball

    A basketball player poses on the court, appearing as if he just caught a basketball. From an envelope titled "Basketball Team, 1934."

  • A Basketball Player Poses with a Basketball

    A basketball player poses on the court. From an envelope titled "Basketball Team, 1934."

  • A Bench near Roosevelt School

    A decorative bench under a tree. Roosevelt School is visible on the left. From an envelope titled "R.H.S. Fall Pictures, 1932."

  • A Bird Bath on the Lawn

    A bird bath on the lawn outside Roosevelt School. Autumn leaves are on the ground. From an envelope titled "R.H.S. Fall Pictures, 1932."

  • A Bird Bath on the Lawn

    A stone bird bath on a lawn. Houses and a street are visible behind the trees. From an envelope titled "Campus Scenes, Oct. 1937."

  • A Boy and Girl Paint at a Desk

    A boy and girl paint at a shared table. From an envelope titled "To be printed."

  • A Boy Dressed as Santa Clause Leans on a Fireplace

    A boy dressed as Santa Clause leans on a fireplace replica. From an envelope titled "1st Grade, Christmas-1936."

  • A Boy Dressed as Santa Clause Sitting by a Fireplace

    A boy dressed as Santa Clause sits in front of a fireplace replica. From an envelope titled "1st Grade, Christmas-1936."

  • A Boy Paints a Chair in a Workshop

    A boy paints a chair in a workshop. He is surrounded by tools. From an envelope titled "Home Workshop, % Mr. Chamberlain, Jan, 1941."

  • A Boy Paints a Chair in a Workshop

    A boy paints a chair in a workshop. He is surrounded by tools. From an envelope titled "Home Workshop, % Mr. Chamberlain, Jan, 1941."

  • A Boy Running Alongside a Fence

    A boy running through a field, alongside a fence. From an envelope titled "Campus Scenes, Oct. 1942."

  • A Boy Sits in a Chair on the Basketball Court

    A boy sits in a chair on the court. He wears a "Roosevelt" sweatshirt. A basketball rests between his feet. From an envelope titled "Basketball, 1933."

  • A Boy Stands in Front of a Toy Castle

    A boy stands in front of a table. A toy castle and carriage drawn by horses are placed on the table. From an envelope titled "To be printed"

  • A Campus Pond

    A group of trees near a pond. From an envelope titled "Fall Scenes, 1933. Science Garden, Pond- Back Campus."

  • A Catcher Poses with His Mitt

    A catcher poses with his mit in a lunging position. Roosevelt School and three cars appear in the background. From an envelope titled "Spring Sports, 1933."

  • A Catcher Poses with His Mitt and Ball

    A baseball catcher poses in the diamond with his mitt and ball. From an envelope titled "Spring Sports, 1933."

  • A Cement Bench by a Tree

    A cement bench by a tree outside Roosevelt School. From an envelope titled "Snow Shadows, Jan. 26, 1937."

  • A Child and a Rabbit on a Table

    A child wearing a hat sits on a table and leans on a fake log. A rabbit sits on top of the log. From an envelope titled "To be printed."

  • A Child and a Rabbit on a Table

    A child wearing a hat sits on a table and leans on a fake log. A rabbit sits on top of the log. From an envelope titled "Life Paintings."

  • A Child Playing a Lute

    A barefoot child plays the lute. From an envelope titled "Elementary Art."

  • A Child Playing a Lute

    A barefoot child plays the lute. From an envelope titled "Elementary Art."

  • A Child with a Doll

    A child stands outside and holds a doll. From an envelope titled "School Scenes, Mar. 1933."

  • A Child's Bedroom on Stage

    A photograph of a child's bedroom on stage. A Raggedy Ann doll is placed next to a bed. A small table and chair, and a baby's rocker, are near the bed. From an envelope titled "Christmas Play, 1933."

  • A Clearing in the Woods Covered with Snow

    A clearing in the woods covered with snow. From an envelope titled "Snow and Trees, Feb. 7, 1936."

  • A Cloudy Sky over Farmland

    A cloudy sky hangs over farmland and a house. From an envelope titled "Cloud Pictures, RHS."

  • A College Float Moves Down a Street

    A college float moves down a city street. "In 1836, John D. Pierce and Isaac E. Crary Planned the Michigan System of Education" is written on the float's side. "'Ignorance is a fearful foe of Freedom' -John D. Pierce" is written at the end of the float. Logs rest on top. Two men wearing top hats sit on the logs. Children and adults watch the float pass. From an envelope titled "College Float, July 4, 1941."

  • A College Float Parked on a City Street

    A college float is parked on a city street. "In 1836, John D. Pierce and Isaac E. Crary Planned the Michigan System of Education" is written on the float's side. "'Ignorance is a fearful foe of Freedom' -John D. Pierce" is written at the end of the float. Logs rest on top. Two men wearing top hats sit on the logs. From an envelope titled "College Float, July 4, 1941."

  • A College Float Parked on a City Street

    A college float is parked on a city street. "In 1836, John D. Pierce and Isaac E. Crary Planned the Michigan System of Education" is written on the float's side. "'Ignorance is a fearful foe of Freedom' -John D. Pierce" is written at the end of the float. Logs rest on top. Two men wearing top hats sit on the logs. From an envelope titled "College Float, July 4, 1941."

  • A College Float Parked on a City Street

    A college float is parked on a city street. "In 1836, John D. Pierce and Isaac E. Crary Planned the Michigan System of Education" is written on the float's side. "'Ignorance is a fearful foe of Freedom' -John D. Pierce" is written at the end of the float. Logs rest on top. A man wearing a top hat sits on one of the logs. From an envelope titled "College Float, July 4, 1941."

  • A College Float Parked on a City Street

    A college float is parked on a city street. "In 1836, John D. Pierce and Isaac E. Crary Planned the Michigan System of Education" is written on the float's side. "'Ignorance is a fearful foe of Freedom' -John D. Pierce" is written at the end of the float. Logs rest on top. From an envelope titled "College Float, July 4, 1941."

  • A College Float Parked on a City Street

    A college float is parked on a city street. "In 1836, John D. Pierce and Isaac E. Crary Planned the Michigan System of Education" is written on the float's side. "'Ignorance is a fearful foe of Freedom' -John D. Pierce" is written at the end of the float. Logs rest on top. Two men wearing top hats sit on the logs. From an envelope titled "College Float, July 4, 1941."

  • A Cross Country Trail in the Woods

    A part of the cross country trail in the woods. From an envelope titled "Cross Country Trail, Oct. 24, 1940."

  • A Cross Country Trail in the Woods

    A part of the cross country trail in the woods. A pile of rocks is on the left and a wooden gate is on the right. From an envelope titled "Cross Country Trail, Oct. 24, 1940."

  • A Cross Country Trail in the Woods

    A part of the cross country trail in the woods. From an envelope titled "Cross Country Trail, Oct. 24, 1940."

  • A Cross Country Trail in the Woods

    A part of the cross country trail in the woods. From an envelope titled "Cross Country Trail, Oct. 24, 1940."

  • A Dead Tree by the Cross Country Trail

    A dead tree near the cross country trail. From an envelope titled "Cross Country Trail, Oct. 24, 1940."

  • A Dirt Path alongside a Fence

    A dirt path running alongside a fence. From an envelope titled "Campus Scenes, Oct. 1942."

  • A Dirt Path alongside a Fence

    A dirt path running alongside a fence. From an envelope titled "Campus Scenes, Oct. 1942."

  • A Dirt Path alongside a Fence

    A dirt path running alongside a fence. From an envelope titled "Campus Scenes, Oct. 1942."

  • A Dirt Path Leading to a House

    A dirt path or driveway leading to a house. From an envelope titled "Campus Scenes, Oct. 1942."

  • A Dirt Path through the Woods

    A dirt path running through the woods. A smokestack or chimney is visible behind the trees. From an envelope titled "Campus Scenes, Oct. 1942."

  • A Dirt Path through the Woods

    A dirt path runs through the woods. A building is visible behind the trees. From an envelope titled "College Camera Film. Mar. 18, 1943."

  • A Dirt Road and Campus Buildings

    A photograph of a dirt road running past campus buildings and the water tower. The photo was taken between late fall and early spring. From an envelope titled "To be printed."

  • A Dirt Road Covered with Snow

    A dirt road covered with snow. Trees and fields are on both sides of the road, and houses are visible in the distance. From an envelope titled "Camera Club Hike, Nov. 23, 1937."

  • A Drawing of Dutch Farmland

    A drawing featuring windmills, a boat sailing down a canal, and farmhouses and churches. From an envelope titled "Art Frieze."

  • A Drawing of Two Muslim Women

    A drawing of two Muslim women wearing the veil. Palm trees and buildings appear in the background. One woman carries a jug on her head. From an envelope titled "Art Reproduction."

  • A Dried-Up Pond

    A dried-up pond. A barrel and boat emerge from the mud. From an envelope titled "Campus Scenes, Oct. 1942."

  • A Dried-Up Pond

    A dried-up pond. A barrel and part of a boat emerge from the mud. From an envelope titled "Campus Scenes, Oct. 1942."

  • A Dried-Up Pond

    A dried-up pond. A barrel and boat emerge from the mud. From an envelope titled "Campus Scenes, Oct. 1942."

  • A Female Staff Member Sitting outside Roosevelt School

    A female staff member sits outside Roosevelt School near a bush. From an envelope titled "R.H.S. Faculty."

  • A Fir Tree in a Field

    A fir tree in a field. Houses or barns are visible along the horizon. From an envelope titled "Trees, Silhouettes."

  • A Fir Tree near the Sidewalk

    A photograph of a fir tree surrounded by snow. A shoveled sidewalk runs past the tree. A "Woods Rd" street sign is in the background. From an envelope titled "Campus, Feb. 1943."

  • A Flying Squirrel's Coat on Display

    A flying squirrel's coat on display. From an envelope titled "Flying Squirrel."

  • A Football Coach Stands in a Field

    A football coach stands and smiles in a field. From an envelope titled "Football, 1931."

  • A Football Coach Stands in a Field

    A football coach stands in a field. From an envelope titled "Football, 1931."

  • A Football Player Attempts to Break Free from another Player

    A football player attempts to break free from another player. From an envelope titled "Football, 1933."

  • A Football Player Catches a Ball

    A football player catches a ball. From an envelope titled "Football, 1933."

  • A Football Player Catches a Ball

    A football player catches a ball. From an envelope titled "Football, 1933."

  • A Football Player Clutches a Ball

    A football player clutches a ball. From an envelope titled "Football, 1934."

  • A Football Player on the Field

    A football player squats on the field. From an envelope titled "Football, 1934."

  • A Football Player Poses in a Field

    A football player poses on the field. From an envelope titled "Football, 1931."
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