The University of Kansas

Inside Spencer: The KSRL Blog

Books on a shelf

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.

That’s Distinctive!: Campus Aerials

February 17th, 2023

Check the blog each Friday for a new “That’s Distinctive!” post. I created the series because I genuinely believe there is something in our collections for everyone, whether you’re writing a paper or just want to have a look. “That’s Distinctive!” will provide a more lighthearted glimpse into the diverse and unique materials at Spencer – including items that many people may not realize the library holds. If you have suggested topics for a future item feature or questions about the collections, feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this page.

This week on “That’s Distinctive!” we will be highlighting photos from University Archives that show views of campus throughout the years. The University Archives houses over a million photographs along with departmental records, personal papers, university publications, and much more. Over 35,000 photos within University Archives have been digitized and can be browsed online. Many more photos of campus over the years can be found by using the search term “campus.”

Black-and-white photograph of large buildings on both sides of a wide street.
Jayhawk Boulevard looking east, circa 1927. On the left (from left to right) is Strong Hall, Bailey Hall, Old Fraser Hall, Old Snow Hall. On the right (from right to left) is Hoch Auditorium and Old Haworth Hall, with the roofs of Robinson Gymnasium and Watson Library visible in the background. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 0/24/P 1925 Prints: Campus: Panoramas (Photos). Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).
Black-and-white photograph of streets and buildings lit by bright lights.
Aerial of campus at night, 1987. The photo appears to have been taken from Iowa Street just south of Fifteenth/Bob Billings; the Daisy Hill residence halls are in the foreground. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 0/24/A 1987 Prints: University General: Campus: Campus Aerials (Photos). Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).
Color photograph of the KU campus with fall foliage.
Campus aerial, 1994. From left to right are Lippincott (Old Green) Hall, Fraser Hall, Blake Hall, and Watson Library. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 0/24/A 1994 Prints: University General: Campus: Campus Aerials (Photos). Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

If you are following the holidays we have correlated with previously and are still in the Valentine’s Day mood, check out our 2013 “Civil War Valentine” post by Whitney Baker, Head of Conservation Services at KU Libraries. It focuses on a handwritten poem titled “A Valentine” from one of Spencer’s regional history collections.

These items are meant to show that the library houses many things that many people may not realize. From books, to manuscripts, to maps and ephemera, if you can think of a topic, we likely have something related. Have a topic in mind? I have three unplanned weeks between March and April so please feel free to leave ideas/interests in the comment box below and I will see what items we may hold.

Tiffany McIntosh
Public Services

Throwback Thursday: 1950s Aerial Edition

June 20th, 2019

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!

Aerial photograph of the KU campus looking northeast, 1955
An aerial view of KU looking northeast, 1955. Allen Fieldhouse, located in the lower left corner, opened on March 1st that year. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 0/24/A 1955 Prints: University General: Campus: Campus Aerials (Photos). Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Aerial Edition, Part III

July 20th, 2017

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!

Aerial photograph of campus looking west, 1925

An aerial view of the KU campus looking west to Engel Road
from 16th and Ohio, 1925. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 0/24/A 1925 Prints:
University General: Campus: Campus Aerials (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Aerial photograph of campus with buildings labeled, 1925

The above aerial view with buildings labeled. Click image to enlarge.

You can see the two aerial photographs we’ve posted previously, one from 1952 and one from 1942.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Melissa Kleinschmidt
Public Services Student Assistants

Throwback Thursday: Aerial Edition

March 26th, 2015

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 3,900 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

This week’s image is a fun 1942 aerial photograph of KU and the surrounding area, looking northeast from Alabama and Sunnyside.

Aerial photograph of KU campus, 1942

Aerial photograph of the KU campus, 1942. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 0/24/A 1942 Prints: University General: Campus: Aerials (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Melissa Kleinschmidt, Megan Sims, and Abbey Ulrich
Public Services Student Assistants