Western Illinois University: Macomb Campus

As the semester comes to a close, I can’t help but reflect on the amazing experiences I’ve had as a graduate assistant in the archives this spring.  In the last few months I was able to work on a variety of interesting projects and I hope this trend continues when I return for the fall semester.

My first major project was to process the Hainline Theatre Collection which is a few boxes of records from several regional movie theatres.  As a classic film lover it was interesting to see the historic admissions ledgers, movie logs, and box office statements.  I was able to see this project through from beginning to end and it was my first opportunity to create original cataloging for a manuscript collection.  I also recently completed processing and cataloging the congressional papers of former Congressman Phil Hare.  Hare was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2006 and served from 2007-2011.  He was recently named to the Western Illinois University Board of Trustees.  Another project I will see through from beginning to end, but which is still a work in progress, is the collection of a well-known marine and landscape artist.  Stay tuned for more details about the Joane Cromwell collection this fall!

Hands down, my favorite project, which will also be completed in the fall, involves creating an exhibit about the Decker Press collection.  Over the last few months I was able to research the history of the Decker Press, including the tragic way the press ended, as well as finish the groundwork for an archival exhibit.  I’ve finished the exhibit narrative so I will be ready to create the display first thing in September.  In addition to the major projects I’ve worked on, I’ve also been able to work on many smaller projects, such as answering reference questions, investigating requests, inventorying (and trying on) the hats from the Burl Ives collection, and all sorts of different things.

While I’m looking forward to the fun reading, gardening, fishing, Brewers baseball games, and traveling that summer has in store, I’m also looking forward to starting back in the archives next fall.  I hope you have a great summer and I’ll see you next semester!
(by Lindsay Hiltunen)

Duke Ellington with Western President John Bernhardt and his wife Ramona (1974).

As I was flipping through the photo files the other day I came across some neat photos of performers who have visited Western.  With Black History month coming to a close I thought it would be appropriate to spotlight some African American celebrities who have come to campus throughout the years.

On January 16, 1974 legendary jazz musician Duke Ellington and His Orchestra were supposed to perform in Western Hall.  The jazz legend was also scheduled to put on an afternoon lecture and concert series.  Unfortunately the activities were postponed due to illness.  The events were rescheduled for February 21 and everything went according to plan this time around.  Duke Ellington conducted an afternoon seminar of classes, music clinics, and workshops that were free and open to the public.  That evening, Ellington and the orchestra performed to a grateful and enthusiastic crowd.  Ellington, the originator of some 2,000 jazz and blues songs, graced Western with his skilled musicianship and loving personality, overall, a rare treat for WIU students and the local community.

In February of 1974 the campus hosted “Blues Fell upon Me This Morning” which was a blues festival featuring blues greats B.B. King (and his guitar Lucille), Willie Dixon, and Muddy Waters.  The Musicians brought smooth licks, dynamic rhythms, and sultry beats to a packed Western Hall on the 16^th.  Concert goers were treated to a few hours of classic blues and fan favorites.  It’s amazing to think that one week you could be at a top rate blues festival and then a few short days later you could be at a Duke Ellington concert all in the heart of Macomb!

Bill Cosby performing for WIU Parent's Day in 1979.

Not all prominent African American performers at WIU were musicians.  In fact, one of the most beloved performers was comedian Bill Cosby, who performed at Parents’ Day on November 10, 1979.  The WIU Heritage Ensemble served as the opening act for Cosby’s performance in front of a full house in Western Hall.  Cosby recollected personal stories from childhood and also talked about his experiences as a parent.  He openly shared his hopes as a parent, one of them never to “be square like my parents.”  However, when it comes to music, Cosby admitted to relying on his father’s standby phrase “turn that crap off!”  Cosby further mused over how his children listened to their stereos so loudly that they played for “themselves and their friends in Europe.”  Cosby’s routine seemed to be the perfect blend of parental wisdom mixed with remembrances of childhood.  This turned out to be the proper balance for the Parents’ Day crowd as students and parents alike gave Cosby a standing ovation.

Chuck Berry at WIU Homecoming in 1988.

Another interesting piece of performance history came after the Homecoming Game in October 1988.  Chuck Berry had been booked to play after the football game.  The team was coming off a tough streak of road games and they were nervous heading into Homecoming.  As it turns out, WIU beat the NCAA Division II team from Northwest Missouri State 63-3 and Berry went on to be the perfect way to end the victorious evening.  The then 60 year old musician, known affectionately as “The Father of Rock and Roll,” graced the energetic audience with his characteristic performance of classic hits, easy licks, duck walks, and tons of personality.

Ray Charles performs at Western Illinois University, circa 1993.

It is clear to see that Western has a rich history of amazing performers.  A few others I came across in the photo files and the back issues of the Courier include Ray Charles, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, the Fifth Dimension, Dizzy Gillespie, the comedian Sinbad, and countless other performing artists.  If you are interested to learn more about performers who have come to WIU or want to explore any of our various collections, please stop by the 6^th floor of Malpass library or contact us by phone or e-mail.  We look forward to seeing you in the Archives!

(by Lindsay Hiltunen)

In January the Archives and Special Collection Unit welcomed two new graduate assistants.  Betty-Jo Gordon and Lindsay Hiltunen both have Master’s degrees in Library Science, and they are pursuing second Master’s degrees in History here at Western.  I will allow both of them to introduce themselves.

Betty-Jo doing some research.

Hi, my name is Betty-Jo Gordon and I am from Arizona.  I originally grew up in New Lebanon, OH and moved to Arizona in 1999.  I have an Associate’s degree in Library Technology from Mesa Community College, a Bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies from Arizona State University, and my first Master’s in Library Science is from Simmons College.  In archives I like to do a variety of activities.  I like processing, digitization, convergence, and making/researching exhibits for display.  My favorite areas for historical studies are Ancient, Medieval Europe, Japan, and Native American studies.  When I am not reading homework I can be found reading fiction books or playing with my dog, Lemi.

Lindsay preparing some photos for a project.

Hello everyone.  My name is Lindsay Hiltunen and I am originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, although I have lived for the past several years in the Washington, DC metro area.  My Library Science degree is from Catholic University and I also have some graduate coursework from George Mason University.  From 2008-2010 I was a Librarian with DC Public Library and before coming to Western I was the Gifts Coordinator for the University Libraries at GMU.  In archives work I am most interested in processing, preservation, reference, cataloging, and digitization.  As a student, my primary research focus is American history, with special interests in industrial history, labor history, the Civil War, and popular culture.  My thesis research will focus on the historical memory of the 1913 copper strike in Upper Michigan.  When I’m not at work, attending classes, or doing reading for school I enjoy record collecting, photography, vegetable and herb gardening, hockey, football, traveling, and going on adventures with my dog.

Both Betty-Jo and Lindsay have an interest in updating and maintaining the blog, so stay tuned for more posts related to current projects, local history, upcoming events, spotlights on collections, and neat images from the photo files.  And of course, welcome to Betty-Jo and Lindsay!

The Karpeles Museum will open its newest location in Rock Island in early 2012. According to the organization, Karpeles is “the world’s largest private holding of important original manuscripts and documents.” They will be located in the former christian science church on 22nd street. I don’t know much about the organization, but it might be worth a visit just to check out the building. It’s an impressive facility.

The first exhibit at the museum will be about Mark Twain, in celebration of the 100 years since his death.

Check out the museum’s website at http://www.rain.org/~karpeles/RIfrm.html. Be warned: it has cheezy music.

Friday, September 23 will be Heather Richmond’s final day in the WIU Archives. She has accepted an exciting job working with digital collections at the Missouri State Library in Jefferson City.

Heather arrived at WIU in January 2008, and she quickly made herself an invaluable part of both the Archives and University Libraries team. She has been instrumental in implementing new technologies in the Archives and has worked very hard at getting our many manuscript collections into the online catalog. She has also been successful at bringing classes into the Archives, promoting the IRAD and other collections throughout the region, and on processing collections, both large and small. Her experience, archival insight, and dedication to excellence will be missed greatly by us.

We wish Heather the very best in this new and exciting venture in her professional and personal life.

-JH

Graduate Assistantship, Western Illinois University Archives and Special Collections, Macomb, Illinois

The Archives and Special Collections Unit at Western Illinois University (WIU) Libraries announces a graduate assistantship for individuals who hold an ALA-accredited degree and who desire a subject master’s degree.  The program allows candidates to pursue a graduate degree in one of 34 degree programs while working 20 hours each week in the Archives and Special Collections Unit.  Many academic archival positions now prefer or require a subject master’s degree, and this is a chance to get that important credential while simultaneously gaining excellent professional archival experience.

We are looking for someone interested in any and all areas of archival work, including appraisal, arrangement, cataloging, digitization, public service, records management, etc.  Specific duties will be tailored to the candidate depending upon interest and unit need.  You will work alongside a collaborative, knowledgeable team of one faculty member and three staff members.  The unit has a strong commitment to public service and excellent print and digital collections focused on regional history, public records, and university archives.  There will also be opportunities to learn from library faculty and staff members in other departments.   

Benefits include a graduate assistant stipend of $920/month plus a full tuition waiver.  Summer study and employment opportunities are also available.  Candidates must be offered full acceptance into a WIU graduate program before work commences.    

To learn more about Archives and Special Collections at WIU, visit

http://www.wiu.edu/libraries/archives/

To learn more about the Graduate School at WIU, visit

http://www.wiu.edu/graduate_studies/

Contact Dr. Jeff Hancks at JL-Hancks@wiu.edu or (309) 298-2718 with questions or to submit a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for two professional references.  Preferred starting date is January 2012.  To allow maximum time to gain admission to a graduate program, applications will be reviewed immediately upon receipt.  Position open until filled. AA/EO employer.

Ray Hanson at his desk in Morgan Gym, circa 1926.

The Archives and Special Collections is happy to announce the completion of a permanent display in Western Hall honoring Ray “Rock” Hanson,  Western’s famous coach and athletic director from 1926-1964. The display is a collaboration between Athletics and the Archives, and it includes materials owned by Athletics, such as Hanson’s own World War II uniform, his service medals, and a plaque from the U.S. Marines commemorating the 50th anniversary of the “Leathernecks” nickname at Western. The display also exhibits materials from the Archives’ Ray Hanson papers, including reproductions of photographs, the football stolen from the 1939 “Little 19″ championship game that Western won, some of Hanson’s famous bowties, and more. So go on down and visit the display, which is in a wall case near the Northeast end of Western Hall, and learn a little about the legendary Ray Hanson!

Also, special thanks to Keel Clemmens, Josh Moon, Ann Patridge, Tim Van Alstine, and Neil Wiarda for helping make the display a reality!

– Heather

I spent the last several days at the Bradley University Special Collections Library and at the Northern Indiana Center for History researching the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (1943-1954).  Peoria was home to one of the league’s franchises, the Peoria Redwings, from 1946-1951.  I’m working on a a paper for this September’s Conference on Illinois History about the babseball league, and most specifically the Redwings.  Due to the movie A League of Their Own, most of the public’s attention was on the Rockford Peaches, the Racine Belles, the Kenosha Comets, and the South Bend Blue Sox.  But they played in Peoria, too, and I’m having a wonderful time learning more about the league and the amazing women who represented the City of Peoria.

-JH

Official patch appearing on Peoria Redwings jerseys.

We’re pleased to announce that the first several volumes of Western’s Bulletin series have been digitized and are now online and keyword searchable! When finished, this collection will include all issues of the Western Illinois University Bulletin from 1903 through 1959. The Bulletin was an official publication of WIU and contained course catalogs and other information about Western, as well as serving as a publishing venue for WIU faculty. First published in 1903 as the Western Illinois State Normal School Quarterly, the name changed to The Bulletin in 1943. It was published regularly through 1959 and then sporadically until 1972. In it you can find articles by faculty on teaching and other subjects, facts about the University, course listings, and detailed descriptions of programs offered by Western. It documents the history of WIU as well as the history of teaching in Illinois.

WIU Bulletin, Volume 1, Number 1

Thanks as always to the folks down in Digitization for their good work scanning the items and making them keyword searchable!

The Archives and Special Collections is happy to welcome Ann Patridge to our team! Ann hails from the second floor of the Malpass Library, where she worked in Access Services for many years. You may have seen her sitting behind the Information Desk or the Circulation Desk. Now she sits up here in the penthouse working with the records and archives of the University. We’re so excited to have her up here.

Ann has a Master’s in Library Science from University of Illinois, and when she isn’t in the WIU library, she’s working as the Librarian at the Vermont Public Library in Vermont, Illinois. Ann has worked in many different libraries over the course of her career, and we are privileged to have her here with us. The Archives is already benefiting form Ann’s considerable intelligence and skill, attention to detail, and organizational abilities – not to mention her extremely pleasant personality! Welcome, Ann; you are a godsend.

Ann, alreaady hard at work processing some University archives.