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 28,000 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Earlier this summer we shared a photograph of five KU students hanging out in Neodesha, Kansas, in June 1918. This week we have another photo of a group of female Kansas students, in honor of National Girlfriends Day on Monday.

Group of girls posing, possibly in front of Bailey Hall, 1930-1939.
University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 71/0 1930s Prints: Student Activities (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 28,000 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Hanging out in the Chi Omega Fountain, 1970s. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 0/24/1 Chi Omega Fountain 1970s Prints:
Campus: Areas and Objects (Photos). Click on 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 24,800 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

A group of KU students, spring 1874. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 71/0 1870s Prints: Student Activities (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

The back of the image is stamped “A. G. DaLee, Photographer, Lawrence, Kansas – a fine assortment of frames constantly on hand.” The 1875-1876 city directory for Lawrence places DaLee’s business on the west side of Tennessee Street south of Adams (now Fourteenth).

The back of the photo also lists the names of the students shown. Additional information about them – their class, course of study, and residence – has been pulled from the 1873-1874 KU Annual Catalogue.

Back row, left to right
Grace E. M. Scoullar: Freshman, Classical course, Chicago, Illinois
Ed H. Bancroft: Junior, Classical course, Emporia

Middle row, left to right
William Osburn: Freshman, Classical course, Wilmington, Illinois
H. S. Tremper: Sophomore, Classical course, Galesburg, Illinois
Martha R. “Dolly” Campbell: Junior, Modern Literature course, Lawrence

Front row, left to right
May Harris: Freshman, Modern Literature course, Bowling Green, Missouri
Nelson J. “Ned” Stephens: Sophomore, Classical course, Wakarusa
Kate Stephens: Junior, Classical course, Wakarusa

When this photograph was taken, KU had graduated its first class of four students only the year before, seven years after its establishment. According to the Annual Catalogue, the university had eleven faculty members during the 1873-1874 academic year. In the collegiate department, there were three seniors, five juniors, nine sophomores, twenty-five freshman, and sixteen students in a select course (fifty-eight students total). The preparatory department (i.e. high school) had 117 students.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

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

This is the eighth installment in what will be a recurring series of posts introducing readers to the staff of the Kenneth Spencer Research Library. Letha Johnson is the Assistant Archivist for Spencer Research Library’s University Archives.

Letha Johnson in front of Jayhawker Yearbooks which are part of the University Archives
reference collection found in the Marilyn Stokstad Reading Room at Spencer Research Library.

Where are you from?

Salina, KS.

What does your job at Spencer entail?

I am responsible for overseeing the appraisal, processing, management, and accessibility of records in the University archives regardless of physical format.  I work towards expanding the archives responsibility of the University’s electronic records and provide records management, reference, and outreach services across campus and beyond. I also ensure space is allocated for proper storage and order of collections in all formats and that knowledge of locations is maintained. By utilizing recognized standards and methodologies in managing digital collections and electronic records and media, I work towards expanding the availability of digital collections on the library website.

How did you come to work in archives?

I wanted to do something in the history field besides teaching in secondary education.

What is one of the most interesting items you’ve come across in Spencer’s collections?

KU’s first account ledger from 1864 to 1867.  It has the names of prominent figures in KU, Lawrence, and Kansas history.

What part of your job do you like best?

There’s a great deal of variety in my job, so it’s always interesting. I learn something new almost every day.

What are your favorite pastimes outside of work?

Reading and hanging out with my family and friends.

What piece of advice would you offer a researcher walking into Spencer Research Library for the first time?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help or to ask questions in general.  The staff is here to help.

Letha Johnson
Assistant Archivist
University Archives

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 24,800 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Members of the Marching Jayhawks at the beach in Miami, Florida, 1948.
The band was accompanying the football team at the Orange Bowl,
held on January 1st. KU lost to Georgia Tech, 20-14.
University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 22/1/m 1948 Prints:
Fine Arts: University Bands: Marching Band (Photos). Click image to enlarge.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

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