In January, the University Archives acquired a lecture notebook penned by Elijah Rosengrant (1776-1832). The notebook was written in the spring of 1791 for John Witherspoon’s course "Lectures on Moral Philosophy." The significance of the notebook derives not only from its documentation of President Witherspoon as a faculty lecturer and of the pedagogical technique of the college in the 18th century, but also from the fact that Elijah Rosengrant was not enrolled as a student in the College of New Jersey (as Princeton was then known). In fact, Rosengrant was a student of Queen’s College (now Rutgers University), Class of 1791, in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Author Archives: Lynn Durgin
New Accessions: January through March 2010, Part I
The Mudd Manuscript Library received 8 public policy accessions and 31 University Archives accessions between January and March 2010.
In January, the Library purchased a rare pamphlet written in Yiddish supporting Woodrow Wilson’s bid for reelection 1917. The pamphlet is one of only a handful of Yiddish-language Wilsoniana known to exist (accession number ML.2010.003).
In addition, in March the Library purchased a personal notebook by James Forrestal containing records of meetings and conversations as well as Forrestal’s thoughts on current events for the year 1949. The notebook, which is typed but contains a number of handwritten items, seamlessly complements Mudd’s prior holdings of Forrestal’s diaries. It is especially noteworthy because Forrestal was in the habit of typing even his personal notes, making this one of the scarce examples of Forrestal’s handwriting (accession number ML.2010.008).
Coming soon in New Accessions, Part II will be an accessions highlight from the University Archives– the Elijah Rosengrant Lecture Notebook, 1791.
The following is a complete list of materials that were accessioned between January through March 2010. As always, if you would like additional information about these materials, please contact us through our general email account mudd@princeton.edu.
New Accessions: October – December 2009
The Mudd Manuscript Library received seven public policy accessions and 31 University Archives accessions between October and December 2009.
One of the highlights is an architectural rendering of Commencement Hall (now called Alexander Hall) that was published in American Architect and Building News on December 12, 1891. The rendering was created prior to the building’s construction, which began in 1892, in accordance with architect William A. Potter’s design.
First occupied in 1894, Alexander Hall was built to accommodate commencement exercises and other large gatherings. Today, the Romanesque-style structure is one of Princeton’s most recognizable buildings and it is home to the Richardson Auditorium concert hall.
Commencement Hall, architectural rendering, 1891, AR.2009.111.
The following is a complete list of materials that were accessioned between October and December of 2009. As always, if you would like additional information about these materials, please contact us through our general email account mudd@princeton.edu.
New Accessions: April through June 2009
The following materials were accessioned April through June this year. As always, anyone interested in additional information about the new materials should contact the library through our general email account mudd@princeton.edu.
Accessions Highlight: Whig Clio Records Accrual, circa 1850-1970s (AR.2009.049)
Among our recent accessions are several documents and publications from Princeton’s two original political, literary and debating societies, the Cliosophic Society (1770-1941), and the American Whig Society (1769-1941); as well as some material from the American Whig-Cliosophic Society (1942-present), which was created when the two societies merged.
One item– a letter written in 1870 from John Laird ‘1871 to the members of the American Whig Society– reveals the intense secrecy that enshrouded the two societies prior to their merger. Laird, a member of the Cliosophic Society, wrote to apologize to the Whigs for mistakenly entering Whig Hall rather than Clio Hall on a rainy November day.
He assures the Whigs that
“I saw nothing and could not now describe the appearance of your Hall even of the few feet I entered…I am exceedingly sorry that such a thing occurred and I assure you that not a word of information regarding the interior of even the few feet I entered shall be uttered by me.”
The full letter is pictured below.
For more information on these collections, see the finding aid for the Cliosophic Society Records, 1789-1941; the American Whig Society Records, 1802-1941; and the
American Whig-Cliosophic Society Records,1908-1992.
The following is a listing of all of the materials accessioned from April to June 2009.
New Accessions: February and March 2009
The following materials were accessioned in February and March this year. As always, anyone interested in additional information about the new materials should contact the library through our general email account mudd@princeton.edu
Among the new accessions to the University Archives is an issue of Old Nassau (pictured below), which was likely the personal copy of Jimmy Stewart ’32 (accession number AR.2009016). Following his death in 1997, Stewart’s estate donated a large number of the actor’s books to the Friends of the Beverly Hills Library to be sold in their used book store. The wife of Kenneth Goldman ’64, a volunteer at the book store, spotted the volume and purchased it for her husband.
Kenneth Goldman donated the book to the University Archives this spring. Published in 1905, the limited edition book tells the story of Princeton’s anthem. It includes an autobiography of Karl Langlotz (composer of the music for Old Nassau); biographical information about Harlan Page Peck, Class of 1862 (author of the song’s lyrics); various musical arrangements for the song; as well as information about Princeton in the years 1858 through 1862. The pages below show Peck’s lyrics, which were first published in the Nassau Literary Magazine in 1859.
Additional information can be found on the finding aid for the Old Nassau Collection at the Mudd Manuscript Library http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/rb68xb85k; and on the Princetoniana Committee Web page “Old Nassau, History of the Song” http://tigernet.princeton.edu/~ptoniana/oldnassau2.asp.
A complete list of materials accessioned in February and March follows.
New Accessions at the Mudd Library: December 2008 – January 2009
The list below includes information on items and collections accessioned in December 2008 and January 2009. There were 17 Princeton University Archives accessions added to our collections during this period. As always, anyone interested in additional information about the accessions listed below should contact the library through our general email account mudd@princeton.edu.
Princeton University Archives
Among the University Archives accessions for this period was an accrual for the Program in Latin American Studies Records, 1949-2008 [AR.2008.162]. The Program was founded in 1966 as an interdisciplinary course of study to supplement undergraduate and graduate curriculum. The Program in Latin American Studies Records documents the program from its beginnings to the present day.
Additional Accessions Include:
Peter B. Lewis Library Bookmark, 2008
AR.2008.155
Correspondence of Harry Zebulon O’Brien, Class of 1899, Additions
AR.2008.156
James McCosh Letter, 1878
AR.2008.157
Three Score and Nine, Recollections and Reflections of Cornelius P. Trowbridge, 1898-1967
AR.2008.158
Arthur C. Eschenlauer Correspondence and Memorabilia, 1952-1956
AR.2008.159
Miscellaneous Princeton Publications, 1947-1999
AR.2008.160
Class of 1944 Alumni Indices, 1944-1961
AR.2008.161
Scrapbook of Gilbert N. McMillan, Class of 1890, and Photographs, 1888-1890, 1918
AR.2008.163
Photograph Album of William Alsop Bours, Class of 1904, 1900-1904
AR.2009.001
Scrapbook of Weld Merrick Stevens, Class of 1904, and Stevens Family Journal, 1898-1904
AR.2009.002
Thomas Meeker Papers on Admission to Princeton University, 1949-1956
AR.2009.003
Lewis Library Dedication Materials and Miscellaneous Library Brochures, 2008
AR.2009.004
Life Begins at Eighty, An Autobiography by Richard Esterbrook McConnell, Class of 1946, circa 2005
AR.2009.005
Library Handbooks, 1976-1983
AR.2009.006
Professor John Wheeler Memorial Reception DVD, 2008
AR.2009.007
Lectures on Criticism by John Witherspoon, 1794 (currently undergoing preservation treatment)
AR.2009.008
New Accessions: October and November 2008
The list below includes information on items and collections accessioned in October and November 2008. As always, anyone interested in additional information about the accessions listed below should contact the library through our general email account mudd@princeton.edu.
In November, the University Archives was pleased to receive a donation of materials relating to Princeton’s 1948 one-fifty pound crew team. The team traveled to England to compete in the Henley Royal Regatta and came home as victorious winners of the Thames Challenge Cup. The crew team’s coach, Davis Spencer, Class of 1945, collected the materials which include a scrapbook, photographs and memorabilia. The photograph below depicts the 1948 crew team (Gift of Susan Spencer Cramer, AR.2008.149).
Additional University Archives accessions in October and November 2008 include:
Office of Development Donor Files, 1958-2003
AR.2008.130
Triangle Club Records, 1923-2007
AR.2008.131
Princeton University Course Offerings 2008-2009
AR.2008.132
Committee to Defend America, Miscellaneous Publications, 1940, undated
AR.2008.133
Memorials to Kenneth Barnhart II, Class of 1945, 2008
AR.2008.134
Photograph of Princeton Athlete, William Bonthron, Class of 1934
AR.2008.135
Graduate Alumni Records, 2000-2008
AR.2008.136
Woodrow Wilson School Policy Conference Proceedings, 2008
AR.2008.137
Independent Concentrators’ Academic Files from the Dean of the College, 1972-2001
AR.2008.138
To the Mountains of the Moon, Library Exhibition Poster, 2007
AR.2008.139
Memorials Research for the Princeton Alumni Weekly, Class of 1951, 1950-2008
AR.2008.140
Digital Images: Princeton President Shapiro with U.S. President Bill Clinton, and Princeton Students at a Bonfire, 1996, 2006
AR.2008.141
Miscellaneous Publications, 1950-2000
AR.2008.142
Correspondence of Harry Zebulon O’Brien, Class of 1899, 1897-1899
AR.2008.143
Gifts to Princeton, 2007-2008
AR.2008.144
Framed Print of Child in Princeton Graduation Garb, circa 1900
AR.2008.145
Class of 1973 Reunions Photographs, 2003-2007
AR.2008.146
Schedule of Classes, Spring Term 2008-2009
AR.2008.147
Alumni Council Committee on Reunions Correspondence Regarding Alcohol Use Policies, 1991-1992
AR.2008.148
Davis Spencer, Class of 1945, Crew Scrapbook and Memorabilia, 1947-1948
AR.2008.149
International Center Records, 1982-2002
AR.2008.150
Alumni Council Materials, 1950-2000
AR.2008.151
Raymond J. Woodrow Materials and Office of Research and Project Administration Document, 1977, undated
AR.2008.152
Department of Rare Books and Special Collections Manuscripts Division General Manuscripts, 1773-1965
AR.2008.153
Auxiliary to the Isabella McCosh Infirmary Records, 1981-2001
AR.2008.154
Public Policy Papers accessions in October and November 2008 include:
Jeffrey E. Fuller Papers, 1930-1970
ML.2008.023
Harlan Cleveland Papers, 1937-2007
ML.2008.024
Leo P. Crespi Papers, 1940-1980s
ML.2008.025
Richard A. Musgrave Papers, 1920s-2007
ML.2008.026
Harlan Cleveland Photographs, 1946-1970
ML.2008.027
New Accessions: August and September 2008
The list below includes information on items and collections accessioned in August and September 2008. There were no Public Policy Papers accessioned during this period. As always, anyone interested in additional information about the accessions listed below should contact the library through our general email account.
Princeton University Archives
Autograph Book of Valentine Hummel Berghaus, Class of 1864
AR.2008.109
This leather bound and gilt-embossed autograph book belonged to Valentine Hummel Berghaus, Class of 1864. Nearly each page in the book is filled with messages from Berghaus’ classmates. Although the binding of the book is in poor condition, its individual pages are in excellent shape (see the images below). The book will be sent to the conservation lab for repairs and then it will be added to the Autograph Book Collection. Autograph books document student life at Princeton University in the 19th century.
Additional materials accessioned in August and September 2008 include:
Princeton University Course Syllabi 1960s, and Memorabilia, 1920s
AR.2008.110
Historical Postcard Collection Accrual and Letter Written by Joseph Eckley, Class of 1772
AR.2008.111
Photographs of the Interior of the Charter Club, circa 1915
AR.2008.112
Papers of Former Woodrow Wilson School Faculty Member, Edward Tiryakian,
1961-1962
AR.2008.113
“Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and the Tasks of the Russian Novel,” Alumni Studies Lecture by Professor Caryl Emerson, Audio Cassette, 2001
AR.2008.114
Carl A. Fields Center for Equality and Cultural Understanding Records, 1970-2001
AR.2008.115
Butler College Student Academic Records, circa 2004-2008
AR.2008.116
Wilson College Student Academic Records, circa 2004-2008
AR.2008.117
Annual Reports to the President from Academic Departments, 2005-2007
AR.2008.118
Minutes of the Board of Trustees, 2007
AR.2008.119
Class of 1894 Records, 1890-1949
AR.2008.120
Richardson Auditorium Programs, 2007-2008
AR.2008.121
Alumni Council Records Accrual, 1970-1998
AR.2008.122
Library Records from Technical Services Department, 1915-2004
AR.2008.123
Faculty and Professional Staff Files, circa 1994-2003
AR.2008.124
Class of 1930 Memorabilia and Princeton Publications, 1926-1970
AR.2008.125
Office of Communications Photographs, 1983-2001
AR.2008.126
Class of 1953 50th Reunion Yearbook, 2003
AR.2008.127
Department of Architecture Senior Theses, 1995-2001
AR2008.128
Office of the President Records Accrual, 1957-1998
AR.2008.129