Treasures of the Collection: Monmouthania for Homecoming 2012

Treasures of the Collection: Monmouthania

October is a time of nostalgia.  The falling leaves and cooler weather remind one that the end of another year is coming.  Colleges use this time of year to hold homecomings and invite alumni to return to their alma maters giving them an opportunity to catch up with old friends, find out what’s new and to participate in a variety of events, including a football game.  To help get in the mood for the return of the alumni, this column will take a look at the large collection of Monmouthania held by the library. 

 

 

What is Monmouthania?  It is the name used to describe all sorts of memorabilia directly related to the college.  Included are such items as the book, “How to study at Monmouth College” from 1957, a Wee Scots guide 1955-56, explaining for new students, “…the traditions and rules of Monmouth College…”, dance cards and favors used by young women at formals given by various campus groups such as the TKE Orchid formal of 1958, the student council Spring formal 1936, and the unaffiliated women of Monmouth College’s “Evening in Jade”.  All of this material can be seen in the display cases found in the Special Collections room on the second floor of the library. 

 

 

But that is not the only material available there. Another case contains books written by current and former Monmouth College faculty.  Included in these is “The Theology of New England” by D.H Wallace, the first president of Monmouth College (1857-1876) and “Charlotte’s Web” (Tela Charlottae) translated into Latin by Bernice Fox, a professor of Classics at Monmouth College from 1947-81.  Books by current faculty members William Urban and Thomas Sienkewicz are also included in the display.  Still other cases contain sports memorabilia and one shelf memorializes former music faculty member Gracie Peterson with photos and proclamations.

On the ground floor, behind the Reference disk you can find a collection of old yearbooks, alumni directories, catalogs and books about Monmouth College, Monmouth and Warren County. 

Can’t make to homecoming this year, but still want to relive old memories?  Then take a look at the MC on-line archives, consisting of two sites where you can find searchable versions of the student newspapers, catalogs and yearbooks.