America Sorrentini was born in Puerto Rico. She moved first to Boston and then to Chicago, arriving in the 1970s. Ms. Sorentini's parents were prominent organizers and activists in the struggle for Puerto Rican self-determination, working primarily…

Color photograph of Grand Valley's 1990 production of "America Hurrah." In this image six actors stand or sit in a circle holding hands with arms raised. Above them a woman sits on a wall in the spotlight and leans forward. All are dressed in…

Color photograph of Grand Valley's 1990 production of "America Hurrah." In this image a man and woman pose together. Their costumes and makeup are black and white, mimicking the style of early black and white films. . The woman turns toward the…

Color photograph of Grand Valley's 1990 production of "America Hurrah." In this image seven actors gather around a woman who is laying out on wooden benches. Most of the actors lean over her. A suited man holds his palms up in a reverential pose.

Color photograph of Grand Valley's 1990 production of "America Hurrah." In this image a group of seven actors stand together and, smiling, raise their fists. In front of them a masked man with his back to the camera stands atop a platform and points…

Color photograph of Grand Valley's 1990 production of "America Hurrah." In this image are eight actors on a stage. The set is dressed like a simple room, with a door and window. Two women stand on the top of a stair case, while the rest of the cast…

Color photograph of Grand Valley's 1990 production of "America Hurrah." In this image eight actors stand facing one another in pairs. Each person is standing on top of a painted wooden crate. They are arranged so that there is a long empty gap…

Color photograph of Grand Valley's 1990 production of "America Hurrah." In this close up image a man in an opera mask and a dark suit wipes his forehead with a white handkerchief.

Color photograph of Grand Valley's 1990 production of "America Hurrah." In this close up image, a man looks into the camera and points to the right. His costume and makeup are black and white, designed to mimic the style of early black and white…

Color photograph of Grand Valley's 1990 production of "America Hurrah." In this close up image a man in early 20th century fashion looks into the camera and opens his cardigan dramatically to reveal a "W" sewn onto his shirt. His clothes and makeup…

Design of American flag, after admission of Colorado to the Union, in use between 1877 and 1890. Design has 38 stars and 13 stripes in red and blue on white envelope.

Vertical painting on the fore-edge of "The poetical works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow" of an American Indian with a lance on horseback.

Binding of American Lands and Letters, by Donald G. Mitchell, published by Charles Scribner's Sons, 1897.

Black and white photograph of ten people, eight women and two men, in front of an open arched door. Taken my Merrill while attending the American Society of Civil Engineers conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Black and white photograph of a group of people talking in a courtyard in front of a building. Chairs are scattered around the courtyard. Taken my Merrill while attending the American Society of Civil Engineers conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Black and white photograph of a group of people walking along a park path lined with metal benches. Taken my Merrill while attending the American Society of Civil Engineers conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Black and white photograph of a group of people organizing for a group photo in front of a large building. Taken my Merrill while attending the American Society of Civil Engineers conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.

In August 1975, Grand Valley, in collaboration with the Grand Rapids Polish Heritage Society and the Grand Rapids School System, sponsored a study tour to the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland.

In August 1975, Grand Valley, in collaboration with the Grand Rapids Polish Heritage Society and the Grand Rapids School System, sponsored a study tour to the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland.

Color film taken by American Volunteer Group (AVG) Crew Chief Joe Gasdick (no sound). The footage, dated circa 1941, documents the training and flight activities of the American Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tigers," servicemen organized by the U.S.…

Mitch Amlotte volunteered for the Army in 1968 to escape a bad home life. He was sent to postal school and then to Germany. He volunteered to travel with the children of military men on field trips and spent much of his time seeing different…

US AE (ammunition ship), April 1, 1953.

Binding of Among the Farm-Yard People, by Clara D. Pierson, published by E.P. Dutton & Co., 1925.

Binding of Among the Meadow People, by Clara Dillingham Pierson, published by E.P. Dutton & Co., 1901.