Kindlund Library & Archives

Explore the records behind the recreational vehicle and manufactured housing industries. The Kindlund Library & Archives preserves thousands of volumes of periodicals, records, and photographs.

Research the People, Products, and Companies

The library serves industry writers, university historians, and owners researching historic vehicles and homes. Trade and consumer periodicals, association newsletters, company histories, product brochures, photographs, and audiovisual material preserve different perspectives on the development of both industries.

Company history materials include Winnebago Industries, Schult Homes, Guerdon Homes, and Kit Manufacturing. Other holdings include market reports, evaluation guides, doctoral dissertations, and materials from Dr. Carl Edwards’s mobile home construction courses at Michigan State University, spanning 1954 to 1970.

Whether your starting point is a manufacturer, a particular vehicle, or a period in industry history, the historical index below can help you identify a direction for your inquiry.

Highlights from the Archives

Company histories for Winnebago Industries, Schult Homes, Guerdon Homes, and Kit Manufacturing.
Schult Homes photograph binders covering 1934 through World War II.
Indexed product brochures, market reports, and evaluation guides.
Materials from Dr. Carl Edwards’s mobile home construction courses at Michigan State University, 1954–1970.
Doctoral dissertations, industry publications, and photographs documenting vehicles, campgrounds, and rallies.

This partial index is preserved from the library’s published collection record. Dates ending in “Present” reflect the original listing and do not confirm current holdings. Please contact the Foundation to confirm specific issues, materials, and research access.

Historical Collection Index

GENERAL INDUSTRY PERIODICALS

Caravan (England) / 1937 – 1954
Trailer Topics / 1938 – 1971
Mobile Home & Trailer Dealer / 1949 – 1980

RV INDUSTRY PERIODICALS

RV Dealer / 1972 – 1982 and-
RV Retailer / 1972 – 1980 became-
RV Business / 1982 – Present
RV News / 1981 – Present
RV Trade Digest / 1969 + 1982 – Present
Woodall’s Campground Management / 1977 – 1986
Camping Industry / 1968 – 1974
Canadian Camping & RV Dealer / 1980 – 1984
Canadian RV Dealer / 1984 – 1986
RVDA News / 1976 – Present – became
RV Executive Today

RV CONSUMER PERIODICALS

Woodall’s Trailer Travel / 1936 – 1980
Woodall’s Campground Directory (Complete) / 1948 – Present
Mobile Living / 1955 – 1972
Camping and Trailering Guide / 1960 – 1976
Family Motor Coaching (Complete) / 1964 – Present
Western Trailer Life / 1942 – 1948 became-
Trailer Life / 1949 – 1956 1966 – Present
Wheels Afield / 1967 – 1973
Motorhome Life & Camper Coachmen (Motorhome) / 1969 – Present
Van Life & Family Trucking / 1970 – 1974
Camping Canada / 1983 – 1986
Camping Today (NCHA – Family Campers & RV’rs) / 1984 – Present
Miscellaneous Buyers Guides & Annual Directories / 1963 – Present
Wheelers Campground Guides / 1972 – Present

MANUFACTURED HOUSING INDUSTRY PERIODICALS

Trail R News / 1945 – 1968
Trailer Park Management (MH Park Mgt) / 1952 – 1978
Manufactured Housing Merchandiser / 1965 – Present
MH/RV Builders News / 1971 – Present
Automation In Housing (Automated Builder) / 1971 – Present
The Journal / 1982 – Present

MANUFACTURED HOUSING CONSUMER PERIODICALS

Arizona Mobile Citizen / 1960 – 1986
Mobile Home Life / 1954 – 1966
“The Allen Letter” / 1992 – Present

- Hundreds of national, state and regional association newsletters
- Many manufacturers club newsletters: Company Histories
  Winnebago Industries
  Schult Homes (including 10 binders of photos, 1934-WWII)
  Guerdon Homes
  Kit Manufacturing
- Market reports and evaluation guides / 1955 – Present
- Hundreds of individual industry and consumer books published from 1925 to present
- Two file cabinets of indexed product brochures
- Much of the curricula of Dr. Carl Edwards Pioneering University course at Michigan State University on Mobile Home Construction / 1954 – 1970 (degrees through PhD)
- Doctoral Dissertations of many industry pioneers
- Hundreds of slides and photos of units, campgrounds, rallies, etc. from 1920’s to present
- Over 100 videos of industry tests and promotions from 1960’s to present

Plan a Research Inquiry

Tell us the company, vehicle, home, person, or period you are researching. Contact the Foundation to discuss relevant materials and access before your visit.

Name

Email address

Phone number

Research area

Research subject

Relevant dates or era

Purpose of research

Research question and known details

Research access plans

Research inquiry acknowledgment

I understand that submitting an inquiry does not confirm that requested materials are held, available, digitized, or ready for access. Foundation staff will review the request and respond with available next steps.