Category Archives: Exhibits and Outreach

New exhibits on World War I, Sammy the Owl, and Brazilian chapbooks

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Red Cross exhibit

 

Woodson Research Center has several new exhibits now on display in Fondren and in the RMC.

2017 is the centennial year of the U.S. involvement in World War I (1914-19). In collaboration with Rice University’s Anthropology Department, an exhibit in the cases near the east entrance of the library focuses on Camp Logan, a World War I training camp once situated in what is today Memorial Park in northwest Houston.

Location of Camp Logan in today’s Memorial Park

 

“Camp Logan in Memorial Park: Houston’s Hidden History” was co-curated by Rice undergraduate student Dylan Dickens (Martel ’18), Dr. Jeffrey Fleisher, and Rebecca Russell. Although the centennial is the inspiration for the exhibit, Rice University faculty, staff, and students have been involved in researching and preserving Camp Logan’s history for some time; the Woodson Research Center has a collection of papers related to a soldier’s time at the camp, and the Anthropology Department have been investigating Camp Logan archaeologically since 2015. These collections and the results of this research form part of the exhibit.

In the 1st floor hallway, “Camp Logan Centennial postcards” features selections of historic postcards depicting images of soldiers training at Camp Logan. The postcards are on loan from the Robbie Morin Camp Logan Collection.

Inside the Woodson Research Center, “Do Your Bit: the American Red Cross during World War I” features selections from Woodson Research Center collections about the American Red Cross during World War I and local efforts at Rice Institute and Houston to support the war effort.

Rice female Red Cross members

Rice Auxiliary Red Cross members

 

In the flat cases outside of the Woodson Research Center, a small exhibit features selections from the Richard and Sandra Lauderdale Graham Brazilian Chapbook Collection. The inexpensively printed booklets or pamphlets known as cordel literature (from the Portuguese term literatura de cordel, literally “string literature”) originated in rural northeastern Brazil as humble poets and artists used this means to reach a popular audience. Containing folk novels, poems, and songs illustrated initially with woodblock prints and later with photo images, these booklets were sold at fairs and by street vendors. Production of the booklets reached a peak in the 1920’s and 1930’s, but the present collection makes clear that they were still being created in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Brazilian Chapbooks

 

In the Rice Memorial Center trophy case, an exhibit in conjunction with Rice Athletics’ new branding initiative, highlights the evolution of the Rice Athletics mascot Sammy the Owl through University Archives’ photographs, memorabilia, and ephemera.

Sammy the Owl

 

 

Woodson exhibits feature Houston in 1912, Jesse Jones and historic postcards

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Woodson Research Center has several new exhibits now on display in Fondren. One of our fantastic student workers, Camille created two exhibits this fall. In the Lovett Lounge on the 3rd Floor, Camille created an exhibit focusing on Houston in 1912.

Houston-1912

View of downtown Houston in 1912

 

Camille also created the exhibit in the cases outside the Woodson Research Center about the Sallyport. The Sallyport was once a central spot for socializing in Rice’s early days, but now Rice undergrads avoid walking through the Sallyport except for Matriculation and Commencement or else risk not graduating within 4 years.

view through Sallyport

View through Sallyport on opening day of Rice Institute, October 6, 1912

 

“From Tennessee kid to Texas businessman: the Story of Jesse H. Jones” selections from the Jesse H. Jones Family and Personal Papers are displayed in the cases near the east entrance of the library. Through images and memorabilia, this exhibit chronicles the life and times of Jesse H. Jones from childhood to his political career during both world wars in Washington DC among the powerful and elite. Images of the many buildings he constructed, owned and operated in Houston are highlighted.

In the 1st floor hallway, “Postcard Charm at Rice” features historic postcards of Rice’s campus.

Residential Hall for Men postcard

Residential Hall for Men, Rice Institute, 1912

 

Rare books and anniversaries commemorated with Fondren Exhibits

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Several new exhibits are currently on display in Fondren Library and in the RMC. In the RMC Trophy Case, an exhibit commemorates the 50th anniversary of the first black undergraduates enrolled at Rice University.

1973 Campanile

1973 Campanile

On the first floor of Fondren Library,  “Rare Books: Curiosities in a Digital Age” highlights the importance of rare books as physical objects. The exhibit was created by Woodson Research Center’s graduate student intern Trevor McNally.

Also on display on the first floor Information Commons area are examples of medieval manuscript facsimiles.

160218_ vagantes_fitlow_038

Medieval Manuscript Facsimiles ©Jeff Fitlow

On the third floor Lovett Lounge, Woodson Research Center student worker Camille Chenevert (Baker ’19) created an exhibit celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first graduating class from Rice.

Dance cards from 1916 commencement ball

Dance cards from 1916 commencement ball

First graduates 1916

First graduates 1916

National Park Service – 100th Anniversary & Exhibit

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Did you know that there are over a dozen national parks in Texas? The nearest park is the Big Thicket National Preserve. The newest one, designated in 2015, is the Waco Mammoth National Monument. This year is a great time to visit a national park and celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary!

The National Park Service was created in 1916 by an Act of Congress and signed by President Woodrow Wilson. Beyond the natural areas, the federally designated parks include historical areas, battlefields, rivers and trails and the White House, covering over 400 sites, and 84 million acres. Find parks using this handy map.

The Mission of the National Park Service
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources NPS logoand values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The National Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

The NPS is an agency under the Department of the Interior. As a federal depository library, the Kelley Center includes numerous NPS publications, including annual reports, maps and research reports on topics ranging from Hurricane Katrina to bike trails to NPS facility management. The agency supports preservation, conservation and heritage management with research and community engagement. The NPS hosts a variety of programs and activities to increase awareness of America’s national parks, and the work of the NPS.

As you make travel plans for Spring Break and summer, consider visiting a national park! There is something for everyone! Here is a list of national parks located in Texas.  In Fondren, there are two exhibit cases which showcase materials from the Kelley Center about the NPS.  They are located on the 1st floor and basement elevator lobbies.  Stop by the Kelley Center to check out even more!

Explore, learn, be inspired, and have fun!

Follow the NPS on twitter #NatlParkService #FindYourPark or their website, www.nps.gov

 

 

 

 

New exhibits highlight Economic Summit, Flying, and Football

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Several new exhibits have recently been installed in Fondren and in the RMC. On the third floor of Fondren, the 25th anniversary of the Economic Summit, held at Rice University in July 1990 is remembered.

G7 leaders at Rice, July 1990

In the glass cases outside Woodson Research Center, selections from the Benjamin M. Anderson Historical Aeronautical collection highlight the artistry of flying, particularly in the early days of flight.

Art of Flying

Art of Flying

In the RMC trophy case, Woodson student workers created an exhibit showcasing Rice Football Bowl visits. The exhibit features memorabilia, footballs, programs, and photographs highlighting Rice’s appearances at Sugar, Cotton, Aloha, and other bowls over the years.

Sugar Bowl program

Sugar Bowl program

And in the cases near the east entrance of the library, selections from the Weber-Staub-Briscoe Architectural Collection are displayed. Pattern boards (design molds) and metal castings of architectural details such as stair rails, fencing, and other metalwork ornaments were manufactured by Weber Iron & Wire Company from the 1930’s to the 1990’s in Houston, Texas. More information about this collection is available in the IR https://scholarship.rice.edu/handle/1911/68494.

Swan ornament

 

New exhibits in Fondren Library, RMC

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The Exhibits Committee recently changed out the exhibits in Fondren and the RMC. Original images from https://woodsononline.wordpress.com/2015/02/04/parties-owls-and-an-alligator-on-exhibit/ Here’s a glimpse:

College Parties Exhibit in the Rice Memorial Center

Houston’s Bayous: One hundred years ago, located on 1st floor

Selections from African American Collections, located on 3rd floor

Cheerleading at Rice, located on 6th floor

 

 

 

 

New exhibits on display

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The Exhibits Committee have created several new exhibits now on display in Fondren Library and the RMC:

In the Woodson Research Center, memorabilia from the Rice Hotel Collection including china, door plates, sheet music for the “Rice Hotel Blues,” and photographs are showcased.

On the first floor of Fondren Library, “Rice in the Classroom” displays photographs of students, faculty, and staff in the classroom. Also included are various instruments that have been used at Rice over the years.

On the third floor outside Kyle Morrow Room the exhibit, “Through a British Lens: The Photography and Captions of Julian and Juliette Huxley” focuses on Julian Huxley’s travel photography. As part of his research and work for UNESCO, Huxley took photographs of the people, animals, and land they visited during the 1940s-1960s.

On the sixth floor the focus is on Freshmen at Rice. From the late 1930s up until 1960s first year students were “welcomed” into Rice by wearing a variety of outfits such as beanies, red suspenders, and green dresses and white pinafore for the women. The exhibit includes photographs, beanies, and a green dress with pinafore.

Powderpuff at Rice is exhibited in the RMC Trophy Case featuring photographs and memorabilia from University archives collections. The Committee hopes you will take an opportunity to visit and explore these new exhibits!