The Fort Custer Historical Society (FCHS) holds hundreds of magazines spanning from World War II to the present. The collection spans decades and covers various military, historical, and cultural topics. As a volunteer librarian, archivist, and board member of the society, I undertook the task of organizing our extensive magazine inventory. Using an alphabetized list of all the magazines, I asked GPT-4o to categorize them. The prompt I used was: "Using the file upload, organize the magazines into categories." What would have taken me hours to accomplish was completed in less than a minute. Next, I reviewed each category and expanded on it to provide greater context and detail.
Here's a categorized overview of the collection:
1. Military History Magazines
Army Publications: Including titles like Army Digest (1969), Army Engineer (2006-2009), and the Army Green Book (2019-2023).
Civil War Focused: Titles include America’s Civil War, Civil War Times, Civil War Monitor, and multiple special editions covering specific battles and campaigns.
World War II Collections: Publications like America in WWII, World at War, WWII History, and numerous special editions focusing on key battles and military strategies.
Other Military Journals: Includes Military History Matters, Military Heritage, Artillery Journal, and Infantry Journal.
2. Historical Society and Regional History Publications
Michigan History: Comprehensive collections from Michigan Historical Review and Michigan History spanning from the early 1980s to the present.
Chronicle (Historical Society of Michigan): Consistent coverage from 2010 to 2023.
Local Military History: Including Wolverine Guard, Michigan Military District Bulletin, and Michigan Reservist.
3. Special Editions and Commemorative Issues
Civil War Editions: Covering topics like Founding Fathers, key battles, and the Civil War's societal impacts.
World Wars: Special editions from Time, National Geographic, and History Net, including detailed issues on D-Day, V-J Day, and the Battle of Berlin.
Founding Fathers and Early American History: Special issues discussing pivotal moments and leaders in early American history.
4. Periodicals on History and Culture
National Geographic Publications: Includes special issues on WWII, American history, and ancient civilizations.
Life and Look Magazines: Issues spanning significant historical events from the 1940s through the 1960s.
Smithsonian and Other History Magazines: Providing in-depth analysis on various historical themes and events.
5. Archival Military Publications
Field Artillery Journal: Early 20th-century editions preserved in the Rare Books Room.
Yank Far East: Detailed issues from 1942-1945.
Ordnance Sergeant: WWII-era magazines from 1943-1944.
6. Specialized Reports and Essays
Land Warfare Papers and Landpower Essays: Collections from 2006-2023, covering military tactics and strategic insights.
Army Reserve Fact Sheets: Essential backgrounder and employer initiatives.
For inquiries or to explore the collection, please contact me by email at FortCusterConnections@gmail.com. As the library and museum are located on an active military base, visits are by appointment only. To request an appointment, email me at the address above, and I will provide you with a telephone number to arrange your visit.
Something remarkable is coming on July 15—a journey into the hidden corners of Fort Custer’s history. Secrets long buried, stories waiting to be told, and images that capture a forgotten era.
Are you ready to discover what history left behind? Stay tuned… the past is closer than you think.
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