News from the DeGolyer Library
November 2018
Southern Methodist University
Recent Events
On November 13th, Andrew Dowdy spoke in the Texana Room about his new book, Wanderer on the American Frontier (Norman: University Of Oklahoma Press, 2018).
Based in part on a long-lost manuscript that was acquired during SMU’s centennial to celebrate the Year of the Library and is now part of the DeGolyer’s collections, Wanderer tells the story of explorer John Maley’s travels in the Ohio, Mississippi, and Red River valleys.Mr. Dowdy’s presentation explored Maley’s travels, and discussed his process of editing and interpreting Maley’s journals. We want to thank Mr. Dowdy for his engaging talk, and thank our audience who braved chilly conditions in the Texana Room to attend.
Our Current Exhibit
Stop by the Fondren Library to see “Written in a Tropical Glow: Books, Prints and Manuscripts Describing the Biological Exploration of the New World Tropics.”
Located in the Hillcrest Foundation Exhibit Hall, “Tropical Glow ” examines the work of naturalists exploring Central and South America from the 15 th through the 19 th century. The exhibit includes materials from the DeGolyer as well as the private collection of guest curator Tom Taylor.
“Tropical Glow” runs till December 14th, 2018.
The Perfect Holiday Gift
Our latest title, Written in a Tropical Glow, is now available to purchase. Written by curator Tom Taylor to accompany his exhibit, Tropical Glow is both an impressive work of scholarship, and a beautiful example of bookmaking.
The DeGolyer Blog
Click here to read our post on Dallas businesswoman, philanthropist, and writer Caroline Rose Hunt, who passed away on November 13 at the age of 95. In 2008, Ms. Hunt donated her papers to the Archives of Women of the Southwest, including her letters, photographs, diaries, and scrapbooks.
On our blog, you can read about how Ms. Hunt took her considerable inheritance to new heights, founding the Rosewood hotels and resorts, while invigorating the Dallas food and arts scene and supporting numerous Dallas charities. Also, learn about how Hunt fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a novelist at the age of 77, and her legendary love of pumpkins!
Meet the students who have been working in the SMU Archives this semester
Thomas Park spent this semester organizing the SMU Campus Map collection and documenting the history of Clements Hall, the second oldest building on the SMU campus. His project explores what daily life was like for the students and faculty who lived in the hall when it served as a dormitory.
Thomas, a Junior from Fort Worth, is a History major with a German minor. He hopes to study Medieval history in graduate school.
Carson Dudick has been busy building a case to have a plaque placed in McFarlin Auditorium to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s visit to SMU in 1966, as well as SMU’s involvement in the civil rights movement and student activism on campus.
Carson is a Sophomore from Boca Grande, Florida, and is studying History and Women’s and Gender Studies. After graduation, she hopes to attend Law School at SMU.
The SMU Archives on Facebook
Click here to check out the SMU Archives on Facebook, where University Archivist Joan Gosnell highlights the history of SMU through photographs, student yearbooks, ephemera from the University’s past.
Click here to follow the SMU Archives on Facebook
Out and About
If you happen to be in English Midlands this fall, you can view the photograph on the right as part of the Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park’s exhibit, Whistler and Nature , which explores the life and work of celebrated Anglo-American painter James McNeill Whistler.
Featured: “Train crossing railway bridge on Nikolaev Railway” from the ‘ Europe, Asia, and Australia: Photographs, Manuscripts, and Imprints collection ‘ used to illustrate Whistler’s childhood years in St. Petersburg.
Collections Highlight
Support causes you believe in! This anti-18th amendment pin is part of the Hervey A. Priddy Collection of American Presidential and Political Memorabilia. The Priddy collection includes more than 500 buttons, pins, ribbons, pamphlets and other campaign commemorative items documenting over 200 years of political history.
Click here to explore the Hervey A. Priddy digital collection
New Accessions
As a gift from former director David Farmer, the DeGolyer recently received a 1941 scrapbook created by Marion K. Fenn, documenting the Autumn road-trip she and her friends took from Long Beach to Mexico City. The scrapbook, printed on yucca, contains captioned photos from the trip, a detailed itinerary, and ephemera from the road.
Visit the DeGolyer Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 5:00, if you’d like to view this scrapbook, or any of our other treasures!
Newly Digitized Items
For all you numismatic fans out there, 188 notes from the Rowe-Barr Collection of Texas Currency were recently digitized, as part of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s TexTreasures grant funded project to share collections from Texas archives. The notes date from the 1880s through the 1920s, and feature decorative vignettes and portraits of notable figures and scenes from American history.
Click here to explore the digital collection.