2010 Women Veterans Luncheon

On Saturday, November 6th, the Betty H. Carter Women Veterans Historical Project hosted our 13th annual women veterans luncheon.



Our speaker this year was Command Sergeant Major Teresa S. King, the first female commandant of the U.S. Army's Drill Sergeant School at Fort Jackson, SC. CSM King, a North Carolina native,spoke about her life and career and was given a standing ovation.





UNCG Chancellor Linda P. Brady gave remarks. The Chancellor comes from a military family and always makes very insightful comments.



The luncheon is a great chance to catch up with all of the women who have donated their oral histories to the collection and to meet and greet other women veterans.

More photos of the event are on flickr. CLICK HERE.

North Carolina WWII Experience Documentary includes WVHP veteran

WUNC-TV has produced a two-hour documentary North Carolina's WWII Experience about North Carolinians during World War II.

The film includes The Betty H. Carter Women Veterans Historical Project's "very own" Virginia Russell Reavis, who served as an air evacuation nurse for the U.S. Army Air Force, telling her story.

• Virginia Russell Reavis' Papers: http://library.uncg.edu/dp/wv/collection.aspx?col=286

• Information about the film: http://www.unctv.org/pressroom/wwII/mediaadvisory.html

• Website for the film: http://wwii.unctv.org/

Promoting Archival Material

One of the goals of the Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives is to promote its many collections to University classes. In early November 2010, Reference Librarian Jenny Dale, sent Interim University Archivist Hermann Trojanowski an e-mail requesting an exhibit tailored especially for the History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Education (KIN 351) class. Jenny said the class's instructor Pam Kocher Brown wanted to integrate University Archives material into the session and asked that we display vintage items for the class to view.

On November 23rd, fourteen students and two instructors from the KIN 351 class visited the University Libraries' Conference Room where Kathelene Smith and Hermann Trojanowski displayed items from University Archives including twenty-eight photographs of athletics and sports, five yearbooks, and six vintage athletic uniforms such as a 1913 black wool gym suit and 1931 red athletic vest with archival photos of early students wearing the items. The yearbooks from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s gave the students a visual touchstone with early campus sports.


When the students arrived, Kathelene and Hermann gave an overview of the textiles and other items on display. Then the students viewed the items and asked questions.


At the end of the session, Jenny asked the students to pick one artifact and talk about why it was their favorite. After the students left the Conference Room, they went to the CITI computer lab where they reviewed the UNCG Timeline, which had been created by University Archives staff. Their assignment was to pick two dates and give their reason for those dates being important to them.

This is an excellent example of outreach that the Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives Department has been conducting in the past few years to promote its collections.

A student's perspective...

I’m Katie Whetzel, a graduate student in the Library and Information Studies program and while loving to read is not a requirement to be a librarian that is how I got interested in working with the NC Literary Map. I work in Special Collections and Archives as a graduate assistant. I research basically anybody remotely related to NC and enter their biography/published literature into the map.

Clyde Edgerton, Margaret Maron, Kathy Reichs and Timothy Tyson are all among my favorite authors. One reason is that they’re all fantastic writers. The other is because I’m connected to North Carolina and its people when I read about the characters. I’m a North Carolinian all the way- love the bbq, am spoiled by having the mountains and beach so close, and am a basketball fan only when the NCAA comes around.

I enjoy coming across authors who live or wrote about a place that I’ve actually been. I even end up looking at original manuscripts that Special Collections has since I’m already here. It is awesome looking at original illustrations and handwritten notes made by the author. The NC Literary Map allows me to do research on stuff that I would never do in my spare time. I’ve learned that the famous line from Sunset Boulevard, “All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up” refers to Cecil DeMille (the father of Hollywood) who grew up in Washington, NC (It’s east of Greenville, for those of you who would have to look it up on a map like me). Another interesting fact about North Carolina is the experimental college started in 1933 in Asheville. Black Mountain College was open for only 23 years and yet people still talk about it. It seems like something that lasted only that long should have faded away by now, but the number of people who went on to be extremely influential is unbelievable. From my research, everyone keeps saying that the works of ‘Black Mountain writers’ are so varied from each other that they can’t be grouped together. I find it kinda crazy that NC can lay claim to something so radically different and out of the box.

It’s that connection between me, history and that quirky Southern culture which I love (and the latter which I’m slightly fearful is disappearing) that keeps my interest. I consider this research to be pretty much like reading People magazine or being obsessed about celebrities’ lives. These people just live closer and some details are just as scandalous! If you’re interested, you can check out the NC Literary Map here: http://library.uncg.edu/dp/nclitmap/

Don Etherington and Monique Lallier

Among the most renowned bookbinders and conservators practicing their craft today, Monique Lallier and Don Etherington have produced scores of beautiful and creative bindings, among them award winners in major competitions.

Monique Lallier has served as director of the American Academy of Bookbinding and as chair of the Standards Committee of the Guild of Book Workers. Her binding designs have been featured in many prominent exhibitions throughout the world, and among her awards was the De Golyer Jury Prize for Design in 2003. Monique has conducted many seminars and workshops on binding and tooling in the U. S. and abroad and maintains a binding studio at her home in Summerfield, where she continues to train apprentices in the art of custom binding.

Don Etherington is renowned as both a leading conservator and a creative bookbinder and has conducted numerous seminars and workshops in both areas. The founder of Etherington Conservation Services and a major consultant on such projects as the Florence reclamation project of 1966 and the restoration and housing of such precious documents as the Magna Carta, the Declaration of Independence and the U. S. Constitution, Don has his bindings represented in major public and private collections in the United States and abroad, including the British Library, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Library of Congress.

University Libraries is proud to display its seventeen custom bindings by Don and Monique, a small showcase of the art of two very talented and creative binding designers.

~William K. Finley

Bound to Please : Custom Bookbindings by Don Etherington and Monique Lallier
November 15 - December 22, 2010
Hodges Reading Room

A Gentleman's Library : The Classic Book Collection of Norman B. Smith

George Catlin, ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE MANNERS, CUSTOMS AND CONDITION OF THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS
London: Henry Bohn, 1850

First published in 1841, ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE MANNERS, CUSTOMS, AND CONDITION OF THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS is George Catlin's best-known work documenting the life and customs of numerous Indian tribes. Catlin's illustrations and notes on Indian life provide an incomparable record of what was even in 1841 a rapidly vanishing culture.

Fascinated from boyhood with Indian life and lore, Catlin began his journeys among Indians in 1830 when he accompanied General William Clark up the Mississippi into Indian territory. He eventually visited sixty-eight tribes, sketching and taking notes on all aspects of Indian life and culture. Catlin ultimately amassed some 600 paintings and a huge assortment of artifacts, which became his famous Indian Gallery.



This early text contained over 300 line-drawings based on Catlin's pictures; his later North American Indian Portfolio (1844) added additional sketches. Two later related volumes were Last Rambles Among the Indians of the Rocky Mountains and the Andes and My Life Among the Indians. Catlin's superb Indian Gallery was acquired by the Smithsonian Institution in 1879.

- William K. Finley

A Gentleman's Library : The Classic Book Collection of Norman B. Smith

Thomas Hobbes, LEVIATHAN
London: Andrew Crook, 1676

The full title of this work—LEVIATHAN; OR THE MATTER, FORM, AND POWER OF A COMMONWEALTH, ECCLESIASTICAL AND CIVIL—gives an indication of its focus. First published in 1651, LEVIATHAN was from the first a controversial work in its insistence on the subordination of the individual to the State.

The four parts of this work are titled "Of Man," "Of Commonwealth", "Of a Christian Commonwealth," and "Of the Kingdom of Darkness." The last two chapters discuss Scripture at some length and make a pointed attack on what Hobbes saw as attempts by papists and Presbyterians to challenge and curb the rights and power of the king.

In LEVIATHAN, Hobbes analyzes conditions he felt were necessary for the peace and security of the State, then provides a program for organizing an ideal state.

Although the title page of this edition gives the publication date as 1651, a handwritten correction states that this printing is actually 1676. The handsome later binding is treated calfskin with an interesting blind-stamp design.

Detail of binding

- William K. Finley

Collector's Talk and Reception
October 19th, 2010
4 -6 PM

A Gentleman's Library : The Classic Book Collection of Norman B. Smith

GOSPEL OF ST. MARK
Armenia: c. 1655

The second book of the New Testament, Mark's Gospel portrays the life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth and dates from roughly 70 A.D. Throughout history, the Gospels have frequently been printed separately, often with elaborate artistic highlights.



This copy of Mark's Gospel is Armenian in origin and dates from around 1650. Little is known about this particular production, though the small book is a gem, with its exquisite miniature paintings and intriguing marginal designs on numerous pages.

- William K. Finley

Collector's Talk and Reception
October 19th, 2010
4 -6 PM

A Gentleman's Library : The Classic Book Collection of Norman B. Smith

THE GENEVA BIBLE
Christopher Barker, 1584

First printed in Geneva in 1560 by the "Marian Exiles," this version of the Holy Bible was never sanctioned by the Church of England; but in 1575 the so-called "Breeches Bible" was openly printed and remained the unofficial Bible for most of the congregation until the ascendancy of Oliver Cromwell. The Scottish Church adopted the Geneva Bible as its official version in 1579.

The Geneva Bible was the first English Bible printed in Roman type and the first English text divided clearly into verses.

Detail of binding

The leather and intricate brass-trimmed binding on this copy is a striking example of the late sixteenth-century bookbinders' art.

- William K. Finley

Collector's Talk and Reception
October 19th, 2010
4 -6 PM

A Gentlemain's Library : The Classic Book Collection of Norman B. Smith

THE KORAN
Shiraz, Persia, 1687

THE KORAN is the official compilation of the teachings of Muhammad in the years 609-632 A. D. and is the central religious text of Islam.

Although some verses of the KORAN were written down during Muhammad's lifetime, the main body of text was compiled during the reign of the third successor (caliph) to Muhammad.

Detail of binding

The KORAN consists of 114 chapters of varying lengths and on various themes. The chapters are arranged according to length (long to short) rather than chronologically. The earlier chapters emphasize a call to religious dedication and obedience, while the later chapters give directions for a proper moral life as dictated by God. Throughout, the KORAN pictures God as the only creator and sustainer of a well-ordered universe. The doctrine states unequivocally that humanity is wholly responsible for its actions.

Leather paste-down

Detail

The beautiful pages of this 1687 Persian printing are striking, with their gilt embellishments and ornamental marginal descriptions. Striking also are the handsome "medallion" covers and paste-downs.

- William K. Finley

Collector's Talk and Reception
October 19th, 2010
4 -6 PM

A Gentleman's Library : The Classic Book Collection of Norman B. Smith

Ovid, METAMORPHOSIS
Oxford: John Lichfield, 1632

Banished from Rome by the emperor Augustus and his work banned from public libraries after his erotic Ars amatoria, Ovid (43 BC-18 AD) apparently completed his best-known work, the narrative poem METAMORPHOSIS, before going into exile.
A series of poetic tales from ancient mythology, METAMORPHOSIS is a supreme example of dactylic hexameter verse sustained over fifteen books (totaling some 250 tales in 12,000 verses), each tale concerned with a change in shape, as the book's title indicates. All of the tales have literary antecedents. The arrangement is essentially chronological, from the creation of the world to the emperorship of Julius Caesar.

Book I opens with an account of the creation of the universe and the growth of civilization. Book II examines the relationship between the gods and mortal man. Book V narrates the varied mythical adventures of Perseus. Most of the subsequent books recount further tales of mythical heroes such as Jason and Medea, Aeneas, Hercules, Ulysses, Theseus, and Orpheus.

A brilliant epigrammatist and wit, Ovid created in METAMORPHOSIS an enduring entertainment and inspiration.



The full title of this 1632 edition as it appears on the title page is Ovid's Metamorphosis Englished, Mythologiz'd and Represented in Figures by G. S. [George Sandys].

- William K. Finley

Collector's Talk and Reception
October 19th, 2010
4 -6 PM

A Gentleman's Library : The Classic Book Collection of Norman B. Smith

Lucretius, DE RERUM NATURA
Oxford: Anthony Stephens, 1683

Called by critic David Furley "the most complete analysis of the atomic composition of matter prior to twentieth-century nuclear physics," DE RERUM NATURA is a brilliant poetic rendering of the Epicurean philosophy of natural science and the moral responsibility of man.

Written in hexameters with an emphasis on alliteration and assonance, DE RERUM NATURA was published in an unfinished state shortly after Lucretius' death (c. 55 BC).

In DE RERUM NATURA, Lucretius attempts to show (as did Epicurus) the path to an ideal life. The only way to attain the ideal life is to understand the true nature of things. A basic assumption of Lucretius is that all things are attributable to
natural causes.

Early in the poem Lucretius expounds the Epicurean system of "primordia rerum," the "first things"; i.e., atoms. Divided into ten books, DE RERUM NATURA denies supernatural control of man's life and speaks out against organized religion, which
Lucretius saw as instilling unrealistic fear in man's mind. Books I and II deal essentially with the basic nature of matter—atoms. Book III considers the nature of man's soul. Book IV concerns experience through the senses, while Books V and VI deal with the formation of the world and the universe, the origin of life, and such natural, explainable phenomena as thunder and earthquakes.

This 1683 Oxford printing is the second edition in English.


- William K. Finley

Collector's Talk and Reception
October 19th, 2010
4 -6 PM

A Gentleman's Library : The Classic Book Collection of Norman B. Smith

The twenty-six books in this exhibit represent but a small sampling of Norman B. Smith's library, a choice collection of the most significant and most influential books of many nations, dating originally from before the Classical Age through the twentieth century.

Included are such well-known titles as The Wealth of Nations and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Also included are lesser known but highly influential works such as James Harrington's Oceana and Juliana Berners' Treatyse of Fysshynge. Important religious texts include the Geneva Bible, The Koran, a 1435 Book of Hours, and an Armenian Gospel of St. Mark from the seventeenth century. Important political texts include a 1556 printing of the Magna Charta, Hobbes' Leviathan, and Rousseau's Social Contract.

Choosing representative titles from among so many gems was a difficult task. The only guiding principle behind the choices for this exhibit was to show the wide spectrum of Norman Smith's library, representing the best thoughts of the best thinkers and writers through the ages.

- William K. Finley

Collector's Talk and Reception
October 19th, 2010
4 -6 PM

Happy Birthday Charlie: Celebrating the 150th Birthday of President Charles Duncan McIver

Charles Duncan McIver

Charles "Charlie" Duncan McIver was born on September 27, 1860, to Henry McIver and Sarah "Sallie" Harrington McIver in Moore County, North Carolina.

He began his formal education following his 8th birthday at a local one-room schoolhouse in Moore County. McIver enjoyed hunting rabbits, fox, squirrels, opossums, and raccoons and did regular chores on his father's farm during the summer and after school until he entered the University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill in 1877. While at UNC, he made good grades and won a medal for Greek studies the spring of his sophomore year.

In 1881, McIver graduated from UNC and accepted the assistant headmaster position at the Presbyterian Male Academy in Durham, North Carolina, making $45.00 a month. McIver was elected principal of the newly established graded high school in Durham in 1882. After two years, he resigned his position in Durham for a teaching position at the Winston Graded School in Winston, North Carolina, where he met his future wife, Lula Martin. They were married on July 29, 1885 and had four children.

McIver at Peace Institute, 1886

McIver accepted the position of head of the literary department at Peace Institute, a girl's school in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1886. While in Raleigh, he lobbied for a normal or teacher training school for women.

In 1889, he and Edwin A. Alderman were chosen by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to conduct a series of teacher institutes to instruct teachers and enlighten the public about the need for a normal school in North Carolina.

McIver in his office located in the Main (now Foust) Building

With an annual salary of $2,500.00, McIver was appointed the first president of the newly established State Normal and Industrial School in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1891.

Unfortunately, he died on September 17, 1906, at the age of 45; however, he did see his dream of founding a college to educate women in North Carolina realized - that institution is now known as The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

An exhibit celebrating McIver's birthday will be on display in Jackson Library next to the Reference Desk until October 11, 2010. From October 11th until the end of the year, the exhibit will be on display in the Jackson Library/Elliott University Center Connector.

UNC Greensboro Veterans and Military Expo

On Tuesday, September 7, UNCG sponsored a Veterans and Military Expo. 130 veterans, military personnel, university officials, and local business and community leaders listened to a panel discussion about Education, Jobs and Workforce Development and met with representatives for veterans resources.

U.S. Senator Kay Hagan introduced the panel discussion and Beth Ann Koelsch, the curator of the Betty H. Carter Women Veterans Historical Project managed to get a photo with her!












Besides posing with political luminaries, Beth Ann presented an exhibit of Women Veterans Historical Collection materials.










She enjoyed talking with all of the people who stopped by to learn more about women veterans history and about the Project.

Keith Gorman, Assistant Head of Special Collections & University Archives

Keith Gorman has always been interested in how people relay their individual and collective history to others. Growing up in an academic family in Chicago, he was encouraged to pursue his interest in American history, urban architecture, and oral history. Gorman was fascinated by how history was remembered and conveyed within his large extended family and within his diverse urban North Side neighborhood of Rodgers Park.

This interest led Gorman to pursuing a degree in history at Loyola University in Chicago. But, his interest in history carried over into the fields of political science and art history. His decision to spend a year in Rome, Italy sparked a new interest in European history, art, languages, food, and politics. Upon graduating from Loyola, Gorman was accepted into a PhD program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His interest in European history deepened. Gorman decided to focus on 20th century European history. This interest in Europe lead to extended research trips to France and the completion of both a MA and PhD. While living in Paris, Gorman’s research focus broadened to consider how national memory is shaped and contested. It also led to a new research area in Holocaust Studies.

In taking a position at Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts, Gorman was introduced to a region that prided itself on its local history and its connection to the American Revolution. When not in the classroom, Gorman spent a great deal of time exploring colonial cemeteries and towns and hiking New England’s mountains. While continuing to focus on modern European history, Gorman did begin to develop and teach courses in public history and archives. This interest in how people were accessing historical information lead to Gorman’s decision to pursue a MLS. He decided that his mix of skills could help bring history to a wider audience.

In his drive to make history more accessible, Gorman accepted a position at the Smithsonian Institute Archives in Washington, DC. His position as a reference archivist required him to interact with a global audience. Walking along the Washington Mall to get to work, he witnessed the impact of how museums, archives, and monument shaped how visitors understood their shared past. On weekends, Gorman spent a great deal of time exploring the diverse neighborhoods of the District.

Gorman was pulled back to New England and Cape Cod. He accepted the position of Special Collections Librarian at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. He was asked to increase the use and access of the paper and photo collections of the Museum. Living on Cape Cod and commuting by ferry, Gorman experienced first-hand the continuing impact of the region’s maritime heritage and history. The daily commute on Vineyard Sound sparked an interest in life on the water. After two years of commuting by ferry, Gorman moved to the Island and explored its ancient footpaths, quiet ocean beaches, and wooded ponds. At the same time, his responsibilities at the museum grew. In 2007, he was promoted to the position of executive director of the museum. He was tasked with increasing the Museum’s programming and engagement with the six towns on the Island.

Keith Gorman (and his wife Cheryl Roberts) moved to Carrboro, NC to settle and start a family. His wife Cheryl is pursuing a PhD in sociology at UNC-Chapel Hill. Both of them are passionate gardeners and are discovering the joys of an eleven month growing cycle! Gorman continues to delve into his interest in local history and culture. Keith and Cheryl spend many weekends hiking trails in the Piedmont or in the western part of the state. Keith is an accomplished cook and is very interested in the local Slow Food movement in NC.

Teaching the Teachers

On June 18, 2010 Women Veterans Historical Project curator Beth Ann Koelsch and former University Archivist Betty Carter hosted a workshop for forty 11th grade Guilford County High School Teachers.



Beth Ann and Betty discussed the holding of the archives and ways to use archival materials to teach their students history.






They even were given a tour of the archives!









Oral Historian and UNCG PhD student Therese Strohmer spoke about using women veterans oral histories and digitized recruiting brochures in her scholarly work.





Beth Ann gave a presentation about using digitized resources. She showed the teachers posters, photographs, documents and oral history transcripts from our website and then gave them ideas about how to use the materials in their instruction. Beth Ann talked about how the digitized materials could be used to teach about a wide range of topics such as world historical events such as World War II, local North Carolina events such as the Greensboro sit-ins of 1960, and how depictions of women on US Army recruiting posters reflected shifting cultural attitudes of gender.

Finally, the teachers were given an “in-class” assignment in which they filled out document analysis worksheets about:

• a WWII Allied Expeditionary Forces telegraph form;



• a WAC songbook; and



• Special Orders issued about German-American relations in 1945.

Betty Carter, University Archivist

On Friday, May 7 2010, the University celebrated Betty Carter's contributions to preserving and promoting the history of the institution. From her first day on February 1, 1974 through April 30, 2010, Betty processed, organized, and promoted the records of the presidents/chancellors from Charles Duncan McIver to Patricia Sullivan. Now, she was not at UNCG for the entire time but she was the archivist for most of that time.

Over a hundred people attended the event and all had an opportunity to say words of appreciation to Betty. Those who shared their comments with all were: Rosann Bazirjian, Bill Finley, Barry Miller, Grace Alexander, Lee Evans, Linda Jones, and Linda Burr. Betty, we all value your contributions and look forward to seeing you!

Betty Carter with her sons, Jonathan and Christopher

Betty with Ella Ross, Class of 1965

Betty with former Library Director, Doris Hulbert

Tom Martin, Class of 1970

Betty with Barbara Tookey

What a crowd!

Grace Alexander, WAVES 1951-1953 and MEd 1980, gave remarks about Betty's importance for Women Veterans.

Lee Mahan Evans (Class of 1950) and her husband, Bill Evans, with Betty. Lee spoke about the Class of 1950's gift to University Archives and the genesis of the Women Veterans Collection.

Betty flanked by Linda Jones and Linda Burr.

Betty and Linda Burr

Betty receiving a photo montage from Rosann Bazirjian, Dean of University Libraries.

Emmy Mills, former Special Collections Librarian, talking shop with current Special Collections Librarian, Bill Finley.

Tom Martin and Hermann Trojanowski, Assistant University Archivist, share a laugh.