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: Beat Baylor Edition

February 16th, 2017

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 34,500 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

We’re excited about Saturday’s game against Baylor. Rock Chalk!

Photograph from the KU men's basketball game against Baylor, 1966-1967

A scene from KU’s game against Baylor during the
1966-1967 season. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 66/13 1966/1967 Games Baylor:
Athletic Department: Basketball (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

The game shown in this photo apparently took place at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, December 10, 1966. KU won, 68-56.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Melissa Kleinschmidt and Abbey Ulrich
Public Services Student Assistants

Throwback Thursday: Jayhawk Couple Edition

February 9th, 2017

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 34,500 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Happy Valentine’s Day, Jayhawks!

Photograph of a KU student couple, 1940-1949

A KU student couple, 1940-1949. Note the Jayhawks on the suitcase.
University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 71/0 1940s Negatives: Student Activities (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

Throwback Thursday: Softball Edition

February 2nd, 2017

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 34,500 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Good luck to the KU softball team as it kicks off the 2017 season next week. Rock Chalk!

Photograph of Women's Athletic Association softball players, 1925

Women’s Athletic Association softball players, 1925. The women are in the
vicinity of where Haworth Hall now stands. In the background is the
power plant (now the Facilities Administration Building) and, behind it,
Watson Library, which opened in 1924. KU News Bureau photo.
University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 66/20/12 1925 Prints:
Athletic Department: Women’s Athletic Association: Softball (Photos).
Click image to enlarge.

Photograph of Women's Athletic Association softball players, 1927

Women’s Athletic Association softball players, 1927.
Note the wooden base. KU News Bureau photo.
University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 66/20/12 1927 Prints:
Athletic Department: Women’s Athletic Association: Softball (Photos).
Click image to enlarge.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Melissa Kleinschmidt and Abbey Ulrich
Public Services Student Assistants

Throwback Thursday: Kansas Day Edition, Part II

January 26th, 2017

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 34,500 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Happy birthday, Kansas! Kansas Day is this Sunday, January 29th, and we’re celebrating with a fun photograph from the 1954 Kansas Relays Parade.

Photograph of a float in the Kansas Relays Parade, 1954

A Kansas-themed float in the Kansas Relays Parade, 1954. The year marked
the 100th anniversary of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which established
Kansas Territory. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 71/2 1954 Prints:
Student Activities: Kansas Relays (Photos). Click image to enlarge.

The picture was taken on Massachusetts Street just south of Eleventh. The Watkins Museum of History is prominent in the background; the building originally housed the J. B. Watkins Land Mortgage Company and the Watkins National Bank, and it served as Lawrence’s City Hall from 1929 to 1970.

Be sure to also check out last year’s Kansas Day image: a photograph of girls in sunflower costumes in the 1949 Kansas Relays Parade.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Melissa Kleinschmidt and Abbey Ulrich
Public Services Student Assistants

Throwback Thursday: Between Classes Edition

January 19th, 2017

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 34,500 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Welcome back, Jayhawks! It’s the first week of the new semester, meaning that campus is once again busy and bustling, just like the scene shown in this week’s photograph.

Photograph of KU students walking between classes, 1940-1949

Students walking along Jayhawk Boulevard between classes, 1940-1949.
Bailey Hall is on the right. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 71/0 1940s Prints: Student Activities (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