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.
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.
Happy Arbor Day! Today, April 28, is Arbor Day. According to Almanac, Arbor Day is largely celebrated on the last Friday of April, although some states celebrate on days that better coincide with tree planting times. Much like Earth Day, Arbor Day is a holiday that celebrates nature. Its purpose is to encourage people to plant trees, and many communities traditionally take the opportunity to organize tree-planting and litter-collecting events on or around the holiday.
The first Arbor Day occurred on April 10, 1872, in Nebraska City, Nebraska. It’s estimated that nearly one million trees were planted on this day. Within twenty years of its creation, the holiday was celebrated in every American state except Delaware, who eventually joined in participation. Many other countries also observe the holiday but often on a different day and under a different name.
This week we share selected pages from the Hand-Book of Tree-Planting by N.H. Egleston. Published in 1884, the book covers “why to plant, where to plant, what to plant, and how to plant.”
The cover of the Hand-Book of Tree-Planting by N.H. Egleston (1884). Call Number: B6479. Click image to enlarge.
Selected pages in the Hand-Book of Tree-Planting by N.H. Egleston (1884). Call Number: B6479. Click image to enlarge.
Two pages of advertisements in the Hand-Book of Tree-Planting by N.H. Egleston (1884). Call Number: B6479. Click image to enlarge.
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 5,000 images from KU’s University Archives andmade them available online; be sure to check them out!
Celebrate Arbor Day tomorrow by enjoying this week’s images of some lovely trees in Marvin Grove.
Marvin Grove (Lovers Lane), 1920s. Note the corner of the football stadium in the background.
University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 0/24/1 Marvin Grove 1920s Prints: Campus:
Areas and Objects (Photos). Click on image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).
Marvin Grove, 1940s. KU News Bureau. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 0/24/1 Marvin Grove 1940s Prints: Campus: Areas and Objects (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).
Marvin Grove, 1977. Photo by Rob Johnson. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 0/24/1 Marvin Grove 1977 Prints: Campus: Areas and Objects (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).
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