Some weeks back, we mentioned that a Writing class was researching on library history. They’ve finished their work and added 6 new entries to the Davidson Encyclopedia. They wrote about each of the library buildings and about some of the people connected with the libraries- and found some fun facts. These include that our first professional librarian, while being part of a new breed of working women was opposed to women’s suffrage, that in the 1940s, the term for favored students was “pets,” and that for the college’s first 50 years, students had the best libraries. To see more about what they learned and some of the documents they used, check out their work:
In support the presidential inaugural activities, we turned to a different history topic and created an exhibit and website on a Short History of Women at Davidson. Test out your knowledge of Davidson history – Which department hired the first woman professor? How long after the 1972 Trustee decision to go co-ed did a coed graduate as Valedictorian?, be elected student body president?, have a jersey retired?
Coed pages from Simpson scrapbook, 1925
One fun part of the exhibit are cartoons from the recently donated scrapbook of Albert Simpson, class of 1925 . The colorful illustrations were given humorous captions – Coed reposing on one of our Chapel seats Coed giving antiseptic dance. Proceeds to buy dice for Bill Joe’s Saturday Night Party. [Bill Joe is a nickname for college president William Joseph Martin]
Popular Davidson coed preparing to attend weekly dance in Shearer Hall. [a playful reference to Shearer Biblical Hall]
Brick from Chapel/Shearer Hall
Which brings us to another new donation–also tied to Shearer Hall. When Shearer Hall was torn down in 1960, some of the bricks were saved and one of them made its way to the archives courtesy of the Hobart family. Although the building was first constructed in 1837, it was repaired and remodeled. Our brick has 1848 inscribed on one side and who knows how many young men passed by this brick going to early morning chapel?
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