New Athletics Exhibit Open

In keeping with tradition, the archives kicked off the new school year with by installing a new gallery exhibit.

The focus of this year's display is Delaware State University's vibrant athletics history. It features athletics artifacts and photographs spanning from as early as 1950 through the current day.  Archival photographs represent our oldest history while more recent history is represented through signed jerseys, game balls, and other paraphernalia on loan from the athletic advising department. The room is additionally festooned with historic pennants from the Prettyman family collection.

I invite you to come view the exhibit. The gallery is open during library hours of operation from 8:00 am until 12:00 am Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Friday, 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Saturday, and 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Sunday. See you soon!

Archives Artwork in the New Dorm

Strips of Hornet newspapers
make up this wallpaper

Hello Archives Friends! You may have seen the university's recent Facebook posts about the opening of Tubman Laws Hall or the flikr images from move-in day. If you have, you've seen a beautiful, modern, comfortable space for students to live, study, play, and relax.  Did you know, however, that the university archives made significant contributions to the interior decor?

For a year and a half, I worked to provide a design contractor with archival materials. The archival images, historic slogans, vintage hornet, and Hornet student newspapers were transformed into unique interior decor features.

The most obvious feature is a mural of significant university figures and buildings. For the students walking by, the mural looks like an awesome collage of hand-drawn figures.  To me, and maybe my astute patrons, however, I can pinpoint specific photographs that helped to create this work of art. Additional features include wallpaper in the mailroom which is made from strips of Hornet newspapers, framed black and white images on the walls, a historic campus map framing the bricks and cornerstones from Tubman and Laws, and the vintage Hornet mascot that graces the wall behind the front desk in the entry way.

I never got to see the mock-up art before its final installation, but I'm glad.  It was far nicer to be surprised by the final product.  In the end, this is yet another way that the archives is making its presence felt on campus and contributing to the university.

Do you see this barn and tractor in the collage below?