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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: (Thanksgiving) Dinner Edition

November 24th, 2016

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 31,400 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you get to enjoy a delicious dinner with your loved ones, much like the group shown in this week’s photos (although we don’t have any evidence that they specifically show a Thanksgiving meal).

Please remember that Spencer Research Library will be closed today through Sunday, November 27th, for the holiday.

Photograph of a dinner on campus, 1941-1942

Photograph of a dinner on campus, 1941-1942

Two photographs from a series showing a dinner on campus, 1941-1942.
The group is assembled on the north side of Stauffer-Flint Hall
(then the Fowler Shops), shown on the right side of the top image.
The Commons, Old Fraser Hall, and Watson Library can be seen
in the background of each picture. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 71/0 1941/1942 Negatives: Student Activities (Photos).
Click images to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Melissa Kleinschmidt and Abbey Ulrich
Public Services Student Assistants

Throwback Thursday: Sportscaster Edition

November 17th, 2016

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 30,700 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Earlier this fall we shared a photograph showing the press box in the brand-new Memorial Stadium. We’re following that up this week with views of the stadium’s broadcast booth in the 1940s.

Photograph of KU football radio announcers at Memorial Stadium, 1940s

Photograph of KU football radio announcers at Memorial Stadium, 1940s

Two photographs of KU football radio announcers at Memorial Stadium, 1940s.
At least some of the broadcasters appear to work for Kansas City station KCKN.
University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 0/22/53/i 1940s Negatives:
Campus: Buildings: Memorial Stadium: Interior (Photos). Click images to enlarge.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Melissa Kleinschmidt and Abbey Ulrich
Public Services Student Assistants

Throwback Thursday: Soldier Edition

November 10th, 2016

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 30,700 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

In honor of Veteran’s Day tomorrow, we’re sharing a photograph of KU men’s basketball players who served in the Army during World War II.

Photograph of members of the KU men's basketball team in Army uniforms, 1942-1943

Members of the 1942/1943 KU men’s basketball team at
Fort Leavenworth, March 1943. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 66/13 Team 1942/1943 Prints:
Athletic Department: Basketball (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

A press release is taped to the back of this official photograph.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Special Services Section
Reception Center
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Friday, March 12, 1943 – The changeover from the uniform of a basketball player to the khaki of a soldier of the Army of the United States was accomplished this week by these six members of the University of Kansas team, when they reported to the Reception Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for Induction. In the Army Reserve Corps, they were called into the service near the end of the basketball season, K.U. having one game left with Creighton University at that time.

From left to right in the picture they are; Hoyt Baker, Peabody, Kansas: Don Blair, Ottawa, Kansas: Bill Brill, 1922 North 24th Street, Kansas City, Kansas: George Dick, McLouth, Kansas: Armand Dixon, Hermosa Beach, California: and Ray Evans, 503 Barnett Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas. Three other members of the University of Kansas squad not shown in the picture, will report for induction this week, they are: Otto Schnellbacher, Sublett[e], Kansas: Bob Fitzpatrick, Salina, Kansas[:] and Jack Ballard, Kansas City, Missouri.

Photograph of the KU men's basketball team, 1942-1943

The six players in the above photograph as members of the KU men’s basketball team
during the 1942-1943 season. Senator Bob Dole, also a World War II veteran,
is in the back row, the second player from the left. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 66/13 Team 1942/1943 Prints: Athletic Department:
Basketball (Photos). Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

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Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Melissa Kleinschmidt and Abbey Ulrich
Public Services Student Assistants

Throwback Thursday: Candy Edition

November 3rd, 2016

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 30,100 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Tomorrow is National Candy Day, a good excuse to indulge in some leftover Halloween treats!

Photograph of the candy and tobacco counter at the Jayhawk Cafe, 1955

The candy and tobacco counter at the Jayhawk Cafe, 1955.
Zoom in to get a good look at the candy selection – a lot should look familiar!
University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 71/30 Jayhawk Cafe 1955:
Student Activities: Student Hangouts (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Melissa Kleinschmidt and Abbey Ulrich
Public Services Student Assistants

Flashback Friday: Feline Friend Edition

October 28th, 2016

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 29,500 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

We’re sharing a bonus photograph this week in honor of National Cat Day, which is celebrated annually on October 29th.

Photograph of a KU student with a cat, 1975-1976

A KU student and his cat, 1975-1976. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 56/0 1975/1976 Prints: Housing (Photos).
Click image to enlarge.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Melissa Kleinschmidt and Abbey Ulrich
Public Services Student Assistants