Kindlund Library & Archives
The Kindlund Library & Archives preserves the documentary record behind the recreational vehicle and manufactured housing industries. Thousands of periodicals, company records, photographs, brochures, newsletters, books, research materials, and audiovisual resources support historical inquiry and complement the objects and stories presented throughout the Foundation’s museums and Hall of Fame.
Research the People, Products, and Companies
The Kindlund Library & Archives serves industry writers, researchers, university historians, owners of historic vehicles and homes, companies, families, and others seeking primary and secondary sources on RV and manufactured housing history. Holdings include trade and consumer periodicals, association newsletters, company histories, product brochures, photographs, market reports, evaluation guides, doctoral dissertations, and audiovisual materials. Company-history resources include Winnebago Industries, Schult Homes, Guerdon Homes, and Kit Manufacturing. The collection also includes materials from Dr. Carl Edwards’s pioneering mobile home construction courses at Michigan State University from 1954 to 1970. Whether your starting point is a manufacturer, an individual, a particular vehicle or home, or a period in industry history, the archive can help establish a path for deeper research.
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.
