University Archives Outreach

As part of our outreach at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s University Archives, Hermann Trojanowski offers two programs for the University Studies (UNS) students. UNS is a one-semester course designed to help students make a successful transition to the University and covers topics such as adjustment and expectations, time management, learning styles, personal responsibility, goal setting, choosing a major/registering for classes, wellness, leadership and citizenship; and skills such as writing, note-taking, studying, test-taking, and learning about the history of the University.

Jane Aycock, the ghost of Aycock Auditorium

The first program is a presentation titled “The History of UNCG and Campus Ghosts” and is taught in the Hodges Reading Room located on the second floor of Jackson Library, Main Building. During the presentation, UNS students learn about the history of UNCG as well as the three ghosts that allegedly haunt Aycock Auditorium, Mary Foust Residence Hall, and Spencer Residence Hall.

Charles Duncan McIver Death Mask

In addition to the presentation, Hermann sets up a small display for the students consisting of the 1906 Death Mask of our founding president Charles D. McIver and several items from the University Archives Textile Collection such as a 1906 Marshal Dress, 1913 Gym Suit made of black wool, and a 1917 World War I military uniform worn by former campus physician Dr. Anna Gove and made by Abercrombie & Fitch.

UNS Summer Launch Class in front of the Charles Duncan McIver Statue

The second program is a 50-minute historic walking tour of the campus. During the tour, students learn about the founding of the school in 1891, the typhoid epidemic of 1899 during which thirteen students and one staff member died, the burning of Brick Dormitory in 1904, and brief historical facts about the buildings on the tour as well as the three campus ghosts that allegedly haunt Aycock Auditorium, Mary Foust Residence Hall, and Spencer Residence Hall.

Hermann also offers historic campus walking tours to faculty, staff, and visitors as well as parents during the annual Parents Weekend each September.

How Does Your Garden Grow

An exhibit featuring gardening trends from
World War I through the 1970s highlighting
materials in the World War I and
Home Economics Pamphlet Collections

July 6, 2009 – January 4, 2010

EUC Connector

WORLD WAR I

Inspired by the devastating food shortages in Europe, Charles Lathrop Pack promoted gardening on the homefront. The National War Garden Commission was established in March 1917. Pack’s essay “Make Your War Garden a Garden of Victory” describes the genesis of the victory garden program.

WORLD WAR II

During World War II, the Victory Garden was promoted as both a patriotic duty and thrift measure. The Office of Defense Health and Welfare Services was joined by such companies as Kerr Glass Manufacturing to advertise the Food For Victory campaign.

1970s

Throughout the 1970s, the energy crisis, inflation, and political upheaval fueled a desire for thrift and self-sufficiency. The individual, or “Victory Garden” returned and the community garden movement took hold in more urban areas. Even the threat of nuclear war was a motivation to learn how to produce, prepare, and store one’s own food.

Take a moment as you pass through the EUC Connector to discover how the War Garden of World War I became the Victory Garden of World War II and how the events in the 1970s inspired a resurgence of the victory garden as well as the creation of the community garden movement.
You can search within the World War I Pamphlet Collection and Home Economics Pamphlet Collection through the library catalog.

Women Veterans Historical Project featured on local NBC affiliate WXII

On July 2, 2009, Curator Beth Ann Koelsch was interviewed live by Wanda Starke, co-anchor of the WXII Channel 12 local NBC affiliate. The station is involved in the "Triad Flight of Honor". Beth Ann set up an exhibit of WWII uniforms and posters and spoke with Starke about women's contributions to WWII and the Women Veterans Historical Project." Wanda Starke also interviewed on of "our" Greensboro-area WWII veterans, WAC/Army Air Force veteran Reva Ingram Fortune.

WASPs Honored by President Obama

(From the Dorothy Hoover Collection)

On July 1, 2009, the WWII WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots) were given their long overdue recognition when President Obama awarded the 300 surviving WASPs the Congressional Gold Medal.

Here is the story from CNN: Obama awards WWII-era women pilots congressional medal

NPR interviewed WASP Deanie Parrish and current Air Force Major Nicole Malachowski about the WASPs:



Decades After WWII, Female Pilots Finally Honored.