The University of Kansas

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: Move-In Edition, Part II

August 22nd, 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!

Welcome (back) to KU, new and returning Jayhawks!

Photograph of Chancellor Hemenway assisting students during Move-In Day, 1999
KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway assisting students during Move-In Day, 1999. Photograph by KU University Relations. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 2/19 1999 Prints: Chancellors: Robert Hemenway (Photos). Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Cows on Campus Edition

August 15th, 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!

Photograph of cows grazing near Potter Lake, 1918
Cows grazing near Potter Lake, 1918. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 0/24/1 Potter Lake 1918 Prints: Campus: Areas and Objects (Photos). Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

The buildings visible in the background are, from left to right, Dyche Hall, Green (now Lippincott) Hall, Old Fraser Hall, Strong Hall, Robinson Gymnasium, and Old Haworth Hall.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Football Practice Edition

August 8th, 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!

Photograph of a University of Kansas football practice, 1930s
KU football practice, 1930s. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 66/14 1930s: Athletic Department: Football (Photos). Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

This photo was taken approximately where the football team’s current outdoor practice field stands. Mississippi Street is visible on the left. In the background, from left to right, are the Kansas Union, Dyche Hall, and Green (now Lippincott) Hall.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Max Falkenstien Edition

August 1st, 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!

This week’s post features Max Falkenstien, the “Voice of the Jayhawks” who broadcast University of Kansas football and men’s basketball games for sixty years. He died on Monday at age ninety-five.

Photograph of Max Falkenstien with Big Jay, 1996
Max Falkenstien with Big Jay during a halftime ceremony at Allen Fieldhouse, February 4, 1996. The event celebrated Falkenstien’s induction into the KU Athletics Hall of Fame; he was the first member of the media to receive this honor. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG P/ Max Falkenstien (Photos). Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Throwback Thursday: Listen to the Music Edition

July 25th, 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!

Photograph of a man playing a guitar as a woman watches from the Chi Omega Fountain, 1969-1970
A man plays a guitar as a woman watches from the Chi Omega Fountain, 1969-1970. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 0/24/1 Chi Omega Fountain 1969/1970 Prints: Campus: Areas and Objects (Photos). Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collection).

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services