Tomorrow night, April 20th, at 8:00 we are celebrating National Poetry Month with our 8th annual Poetry Reading in the Rare Book Room of the E.H. Little Library.  Last year was great fun, and we’re looking forward to this year’s event. Davidson students, faculty members, and town poets —talented all—will read from their own works.  There will also be time afterwards for refreshments and chatting with the poets.

Hope to see you there!

The Centennial International Exhibition, the 1st official World’s Fair in the United States, was held from May 10 – November 10, 1876 in Philadelphia. Its full title was The International Exhibition of Arts, Manufactures and Products of the Soil and Mine, and it was the brainchild of Professor John L. Campbell, Wabash College (Indiana). In 1866, Campbell, professor of mathematics, natural philosophy, and astronomy, suggested to the mayor of Philadelphia that the 100th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence be celebrated there with an exhibition. Although there were several nay-sayers lamenting lack of funding, disinterest from other countries, and an un-favorable reaction to the exhibition being held in the United States, the U.S. Centennial Commission was created by a bill passed on March 3, 1871, and the commission was organized on March 3, 1872.

450 acres of West Fairmont Park in Philadelphia were set aside for the exposition, and other nations were invited to attend. Temporary hotels were built to accommodate visitors, streetcars and railroads increased their service, and a small hospital was built in the park.
The fair opened on May 10, 1876 and drew thousands of visitors and VIPs to the exhibits from 37 nations in over 250 pavillions. As the title indicated, the exhibition focused on arts, manufacturing, agriculture and mining, and introduced to the world the strength of the United States as an industrial power.

Although many of the exhibition buildings were constructed as temporary structures, some were designed to be permanent and used after the closing of the exhibition.

Horticultural Hall continued to be used to display plants until it was demolished in 1954 after being badly damaged by Hurricane Hugo. Memorial Hall (the art gallery) was later used as the Pennsylvania Museum of Art.
By the last day, November 10, 1876, a total of 10,164,489 visitors had attended the exhibition. Some of the innovations displayed were the Corliss Steam Engine, Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone, the Remington typographic machine, the electric dynamo, and Heinz Ketchup.
We have in the Rare Book Room a copy of the “official catalogue,” a gift from the estate of Zach Long, Class of 1965. The catalogue included lists of the entrants by country, lists of the exhibits, and numerous period ads, and is considered to be the best source of information on the Centennial Exhibition and its exhibitors.

Next Tuesday, October 25^th at 8:00 we are celebrating Halloween with our 8^th Annual “Ghosts in the Library” event in the Rare Book Room of the E.H. Little Library.  We’ll have Davidsonians  telling their favorite ghost stories.  You may not have seen the Rare Book Room in quite this way…with “ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties, and things that go bump in the night.”

No tricks.  Just scary stories, and treat bags for all who come.

For some earlier fun, come to the Library Lobby at 6:30 for a printing press demonstration by Prof. Gabe Ford, and the opportunity to print your own chapbook.  Then on to the Rare Book Room for “Ghosts” at 8:00!

Hope to see you there!

BOO!

During the month of October we’ve been celebrating Archives Month, and there are still two great events you can attend.

Tonight, October 21st from 5:30 – 6:00, please come to the Van Every Gallery in the VAC for Art, Archives & Documentation, and join Lia Newman (Director of the Art Gallery), Alison Bory (Asst. Professor & Chair, Dance Dept.), and Jan Blodgett (College Archivist) for a panel discussion on the relationships between art, performance, and documentation.

Tuesday, October 27, from 8:00 – 9:00 we are celebrating Halloween with our 7th Annual Ghosts in the Library event in the Rare Book Room of the E.H. Little Library. We’ll have Davidson students—talented all—telling you scary stories. You may not have seen the Rare Book Room in quite this way…with “ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties, and things that go bump in the night.”
No tricks. Just scary stories, and treat bags for all who come. You’ll also be able to play a Halloween game for a chance to win a $25 gift card, and, the winner of our “Six Word Ghost Story” contest will be announced.

Hope to see you at both events!

Next Tuesday night, April 21st at 8:00 we are celebrating National Poetry Month with our 6th annual Poetry Reading in the Rare Book Room of the E.H. Little Library. Last year was great fun, and we’re looking forward to this year’s event. Davidson students, faculty members, and town poets —talented all—will read from their own works. There will also be time afterwards for refreshments and chatting with the poets.
Hope to see you there!
And, through April 30th, you still have a chance to come to the Rare Book Room, Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, to see our exhibit on Charles Wright, Davidson class of 1957, and the current U.S. Poet Laureate.

Next Wednesday, October 29^th at 8:00 we are celebrating Halloween with our 6^th Annual “Ghosts in the Library” event in the Rare Book Room of the E.H. Little Library.  We’ll have Davidsonians telling their favorite ghost stories.  You may not have seen the Rare Book Room in quite this way…with “ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties, and things that go bump in the night.”

No tricks.  Just scary stories, and treat bags for all who come.

And, the winner of our “Ghostly Images” photo contest will be announced that night as well.

Hope to see you there!

BOO!

 

Tomorrow night, Thursday April 10^th at 8:00 we are celebrating National Poetry Month with our 5th annual Poetry Reading in the Rare Book Room of the E.H. Little Library.  Last year was great fun, and we’re looking forward to this year’s event.  Davidson students, faculty members, and town poets —talented all— will read from their own works.  There will also be time afterwards for refreshments and chatting with the poets.

Hope to see you there!

And, through April 30^th, you still have a chance to come to the Rare Book Room, Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, to see our exhibit of poetry broadsides from the Iron Mountain Press.

 

Tonight, October 30^th at 8:00 we are celebrating Halloween with our 5^th Annual “Ghosts in the Library” event in the Rare Book Room of the E.H. Little Library.  We’ll have a Davidson student, faculty member, and library staff member —talented all—telling their favorite ghost stories.  You may not have seen the Rare Book Room in quite this way…with “ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties, and things that go bump in the night.”

No tricks.  Just scary stories, and treat bags for all who come.

And, the winner of our “Ghostly Images on Campus” photo contest will be announced tonight as well.

Hope to see you there!

BOO!