University Archives

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It Was A Simpler Time?

While accessioning materials into the University Archives today, I came across the Wake Forest University Civil Defense Manual from 1966. A small but very detailed document outlines the shelter locations, the supplies (food, sanitary, and medical), locations of telephones in the shelters, and locations of janitor’s closets with hoses for filling water drums. The Wake... Continue reading “It Was A Simpler Time?”

Archives’ materials featured in new calendar

This past summer (remember when it was hot)? we received a request from a researcher who wanted to see our collection of old football programs, especially the ones from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. He said he wanted to make a calendar of some of the covers, and he spent several days looking through and... Continue reading “Archives’ materials featured in new calendar”

Findable finding aids!

Finding aids for collections from the Department of Special Collections & Archives are now fully search- and browse-able through a new interface! Check out zsr.wfu.edu/findingaids to see features including: A look and feel like the ZSR website Fully searchable contents, including container lists Browse by keyword and title Collection summary at the top of each... Continue reading “Findable finding aids!”

Wake Forest History on Film

The new Documentary Film program at WFU has proved to be a natural match for our archival collections. Students from Dr. Cara Pilson’s graduate research seminar and first year seminar have frequented Special Collections for instruction and research this semester. The FYS: History Through the Lens of Documentary Film students, pictured above, are working on... Continue reading “Wake Forest History on Film”

Freshman-Sophomore Smoker

According to the May 7, 1927 Old Gold and Black, available in DSpace, the incoming Freshman class of 1927 was the largest class to date, with 118 men. They expected respect. What they got was the traditional treatment by the upperclassmen, including hazing and freshman rules. The “Freshman-Sophomore Smoker” was a men’s meeting group where... Continue reading “Freshman-Sophomore Smoker”

Who Is Ruth Pritchard, B.A.?

I have made a very interesting discovery while accessioning the 1937 Howler “markup” from Charlotte Engraving Company, Charlotte, NC. Perusing the hairstyles and facial expressions of the male graduates of the senior class of 1937, I came across the angelic face of a young woman, Ruth Pritchard of Wake Forest, North Carolina. According to the... Continue reading “Who Is Ruth Pritchard, B.A.?”

Tuition in 1872

While re-housing the William Gaston Simmons Papers, one of our students discovered this small piece of Wake Forest’s past: This receipt from Simmons, the former Bursar, notes payment for tuition, room rent, and servant hire for Spring Term, 1872. Total cost: $3.00. Continue reading “Tuition in 1872”

Wake Forest founder, Samuel Wait’s traveling chest and walking stick

Wake Forest founder, Samuel Wait’s wood and leather traveling chest and his wooden walking stick-just a small part of the ZSR Library, Special Collections and Archives. Continue reading “Wake Forest founder, Samuel Wait’s traveling chest and walking stick”