Kenneth Spencer Research Library

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!

We selected this week’s picture because, in addition to Easter being this Sunday, the Kansas Relays will be taking place in Lawrence in a couple of weeks.

People dressed as rabbits on a float in the Kansas Relays parade, 1953.
University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 71/2 1953: Student Activities:
Kansas Relays (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

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 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

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 3,700 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

We may not have the fancy moves of these KU cheerleaders, but we’re just as excited to cheer on the men’s basketball team in this year’s NCAA tournament. Rock Chalk, Jayhawk, Go KU!

KU cheerleaders with Potter Lake in the background, 1938-1939. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 66/23 1938-1939 Negatives: Athletic Department: Cheerleaders and
Pompom Girls (Photos). Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

KU cheerleaders, probably at a basketball game in Hoch Auditorium, 1951-1952.
University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 66/23 1951/1952 Negatives:
Athletic Department: Cheerleaders and Pompom Girls (Photos). Click image to enlarge.

KU cheerleaders at the Final Four, March 1957. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 66/23 1956-1957 Negatives: Athletic Department:
Cheerleaders and Pompom Girls (Photos). Click image to enlarge.

KU cheerleaders at Allen Field House during one of the last two games of the
1964-1965 season. The Jayhawks finished second in the Big 8 conference that year.
University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 66/23 1964/1965 Negatives:
Athletic Department: Cheerleaders and Pompom Girls (Photos). Click image to enlarge.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

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

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 3,600 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

We’ve been enjoying some gorgeous, and unseasonably warm, spring weather on Mount Oread. It’s the perfect time to take a cue from these early KU students and enjoy a picnic!

Group portrait of the KU Class of 1897 during a picnic at Blue Mound, Kansas.
University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 71/34 1897 Prints: Student Activities: Class Pictures (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

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 3,600 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

It may still feel like winter on Mount Oread, but spring is just around the corner, and with it the potential for strong storms. We selected today’s images thinking about Kansas Severe Weather Awareness Week, which ends tomorrow, and today’s specific focus on thunderstorm and lightning safety.

Lightning flashes above the Campanile, with Spencer Research Library
faintly visible behind it, 1980. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 0/24/1 Storms 1980 Prints: Campus: Areas and Objects (Photos).
Click image to enlarge.

Firefighters battling a blaze at Hoch Auditorium, June 15, 1991. The building was struck
by lightning during a violent thunderstorm that, according to the Kansas Alumni magazine,
“pelted the Lawrence area with heavy rain and pea-sized hail.” University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 0/22/33 1991 Slides: Campus: Buildings: Hoch Auditorium (Photos).
Click image to enlarge.

Tree in front of Watson Library (not shown) damaged by a storm, 1991. This may have been
the same June 15th storm that caused the fire at Hoch Auditorium. Fraser Hall is
in the background. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 0/24/1 Storms 1991 Negatives:
Campus: Areas and Objects (Photos). Click image to enlarge.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

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