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 6,000 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

This week’s photograph combines two things we love: grandparents (in honor of National Grandparents Day on Sunday) and basketball.

Dr. James Naismith playing basketball with his grandchildren, undated (before 1939).
University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 66/22 James Naismith: Athletic Department:
Coaches and Staff (Photos). Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

You can learn more about the inventor of basketball and founder of KU’s program through the KU Libraries online exhibit “James Naismith’s Life and Legacy: Celebrating 150 Years.”

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 6,000 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

We’re excited that Jayhawk football returns this Saturday, so this week we’re sharing a really fun and early view of Memorial Stadium. This photograph was taken during the annual Thanksgiving football game against the University of Missouri on November 24, 1921. KU won, 15-9, in front of 15,480 fans.

This was the second game ever played at the (still incomplete) stadium; note the construction materials piled up on the left side of the photo. Construction had begun on July 16, 1921. Only the east and west sides were initially built; due to financial constraints, rounding off the U was not possible until 1927.

View of Memorial Stadium, 1921. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 66/14 1921: Athletic Department: Football (Photos).
Click on 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 6,000 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

As the new school year gets under way, remember to ask a KU librarian for assistance with your research papers, projects, and coursework. We’re here – and happy – to help!

The old circulation desk on the fourth floor of Watson Library, 1958.
Librarian Nancy Taylor is in the foreground. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 32/14 1958 Prints: University of Kansas Libraries:
Circulation (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 6,000 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

It’s Recruitment Week for KU’s sororities and fraternities, so today’s post features helpful and humorous information for freshmen girls deciding on which chapter to join. It’s from the 1916 Jayhawker yearbook, which covered the 1915-1916 academic year.

“Chart for Freshmen” in the Jayhawker, 1916. From left to right,
the sororities listed are Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta,
Kappa Kappa Gamma, Chi Omega, Achoth, Alpha Delta Pi,
Sigma Kappa, Alpha Chi Omega, Gamma Phi Beta,
and Alpha Xi Delta. University Archives.
Call Number: LD 2697 .J3 1916. 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 6,000 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Congratulations to the KU women’s soccer team! The Jayhawks had a big win last night in their first preseason exhibition game. Good luck for a great season!

KU women’s soccer team, 1995. This was the program’s first year at the
varsity level; it had previously been a club sport. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 66/20/20 1995 Team Prints:
Athletic Department: Women’s Soccer (Photos). Click image to enlarge.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

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