An important aspect of MKI’s preservation and access mission is the conservation, restoration, and repair of historically unique materials. This has been made possible thanks to annual generous matching grants by members of the Friends of the Max Kade Institute, which on average has allowed us to invest over $1,000 a year on restoration efforts.
In addition, the MKI is striving to grow its library collections by acquiring unique materials that reflect the German American experience.
In 2025, a generous member of our Friends organization is offering a $1,000 matching opportunity for the restoration of select books in the Max Kade Institute Library & Archives and the acquisition of rare new items . With your donation we can raise a combined $2,000 to support the MKI’s unique collections! [scroll down to see a list of items considered for this year’s restoration and acquisition effort.]
To donate online click HERE and put “collection support” in the Comments field.
Or write a check out to Friends of the Max Kade Institute, with “donation for library collections” in the subject line and mail it to
Friends of the Max Kade Institute
432 East Campus Mall
Madison, WI 53706
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Our books are expertly restored by Grimm Book Bindery in Monona, Wisconsin. To find out more about the restoration process, read the article by Kevin Kurdylo in the MKI Spring 2023 Newsletter “Grimm Bindery Repairs More Books from MKI’s Collection.”
You will find a detailed description of our restoration efforts in Kevin Kurdylo’s article in the Friends of the Max Kade Institute Newsletter, Spring 2021.
A Few Examples of Collection Items Considered for Conservation in 2025
- Ende, Heinrich von, 1847-1879. Mississippi und Rhein: Centennial-Phantasie. Milwaukee, Wis.: Doerflinger, 1876. [Born in Bremen, von Ende came to America in 1872. This 29-page book consists of one poem.]
- Kenkel, Friedrich Albert Philip. Der Schädel des Secundus Arbiter. Die Geschichte eines Seelenwanderers. Chicago, Ill.: the author, 1898. [Friedrich Kenkel was born in 1863 in Chicago to Heinrich and Albertine Voll Kenkel, 48ers who were active in the German American theater. Friedrich Kenkel was a Catholic who worked for social reform, especially during his tenure as Director of the Central Bureau of the German Catholic Central-Verein.]
- Kottinger, Hermann Marcus. Leitfaden für den Unterricht in den Sonntags-Schulen Freier Gemeinden sowie Überhaupt für die Gemüthsbildung und Religiöse Aufklärung der Jugend. Milwaukee, Wis.: G. P. Roth, 1871. [A Freethinker’s Sunday School guide to the moral and religious upbringing of youth.]
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Schwenckfeld, Caspar. Fünf Abhandlungen aus den theologischen Schriften. Erste amerikanische Ausgabe. Skippackville, Penn.: Gedruckt von J.M. Schünemann & Co., 1859.
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Struve, Gustav, 1805-1870. Geschichte des Mittelalters. Erstes Buch. Vom Jahre 476 bis 1095. Zweites Buch. Vom Jahre 1095-1291. New York, N.Y.: Gustav Struve, 1853 [History of the Middle Ages]
Acquisition Focus for 2025
During the 19th and 20th centuries, German-speaking immigrants who had received extensive technical and scientific training in Europe brought their knowledge skills to the United States. Here they found a burgeoning industrial environment, which led to new innovations, inventions, and new business ventures. The MKI is seeking to acquire materials that reflect this aspect of the German American experience.
We will consider all German-language materials published in America, including books, pamphlets, business records, memoirs, photos, catalogs, and other ephemera about new technologies, inventions, and enterprises. One focus area is the German American printing industry, where among other things we are looking for type foundry and specimen catalogs.