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Inside Spencer: The KSRL Blog

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Welcome to the Kenneth Spencer Research Library blog! As the special collections and archives library at the University of Kansas, Spencer is home to remarkable and diverse collections of rare and unique items. Explore the blog to learn about the work we do and the materials we collect.

Throwback Thursday: Inauguration Edition

Each week we’ll be posting a photograph from University Archives that shows a scene from KU’s past. We’ve also scanned more than 34,800 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Who spent part of their day yesterday watching the inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris?

Photograph of the inauguration procession of Chancellor Frank Strong, October 17, 1902
Inauguration procession of KU Chancellor Frank Strong, October 17, 1902. The group is standing on the steps of Old Fraser Hall. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 2/8 1902: Chancellors: Frank Strong (Photos). Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

The group in the photo includes, from left to right,

The Lawrence Daily World reported on the inaugural events the following day (October 18, 1902) in multiple articles, as seen below. The newspaper praised all aspects of the inauguration, arguing that overall it was “the most successful event ever consummated in this town” and “one that will live in university history as the greatest educational event in the west up to this time.” Humorously, the newspaper also noted that “while the programme [sic] was long it had to be so. Chancellor Strong has much to say and could not have outlined his policy in fewer words.”

Article, "A New Head at Lawrence," Lawrence Daily World, October 18, 1902
Article, "Merry Banquetters," Lawrence Daily World, October 18, 1902
Article, "It Was Great," Lawrence Daily World, October 18, 1902
Article, "It Was Great," Lawrence Daily World, October 18, 1902
Article, "The Inaugural," Lawrence Daily World, October 18, 1902
Articles about Chancellor Strong’s inauguration in the Lawrence Daily World, October 18, 1902. Images via Newspapers.com. Click images to enlarge.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

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