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It’s in the details: a closer look at Old Armory fire in an unlikely place

The following is written by University Archivist David McCartney In the early morning hours of Saturday, May 9, 1970, the building housing the Dept. of Rhetoric mysteriously caught fire and was declared a total loss. Although the cause of the blaze was never determined, many to this day believe it was the work of arsonists.Continue reading “It’s in the details: a closer look at Old Armory fire in an unlikely place”

University of Iowa Asian American Oral History Archive

The following is written by Asian Alumni and Student Oral History Project Intern Jin Chang Since the start of the pandemic, prominent leaders have stood in front of crowds of American people calling COVID-19 the “China Virus” and “Kung Flu.” As a result, Chinatown businesses closed as tourists continued to avoid Chinatowns across America and raciallyContinue reading “University of Iowa Asian American Oral History Archive”

Ellen Day Hale Paints Her Way into UI History

Through some great research, our University Archivist David McCartney discovers some of the “unknown” facts that are part of new UI Presidential Portrait Gallery in the Main Library, as he explains below.  When the UI Presidential Portrait Gallery was formally dedicated late last year, staff in Special Collections responsible for this display knew that thereContinue reading “Ellen Day Hale Paints Her Way into UI History”

From University Archivist David McCartney: Top 10 historical things at the UI

In honor of Homecoming week here at the University of Iowa, we asked our University Archivist David McCartney to pick the top ten favorite historical things here at the University. The items are in no particular order.  10. The Birthplace of Prime-time TV. Sure, Westinghouse, General Electric, AT&T and other labs were testing television inContinue reading “From University Archivist David McCartney: Top 10 historical things at the UI”

Reflections of UI’s Furry and Feathery Mascots

As we get ready to celebrate Herky’s 70th birthday, curator of the “Hatching Herky” exhibit, Chloe Waryan, looks back on her experiences and Iowa mascots of old.  In the summer of 2018, I was fortunate enough to be awarded an internship at the University of Iowa Special Collections and University Archives in which I wasContinue reading “Reflections of UI’s Furry and Feathery Mascots”

Who’s Got Spirit?: An Interview with Gregg Niemiec, UI Spirit Coordinator

What do the UI Libraries and UI Athletics have in common? Hawkeye History! In this blog post, Chloe Waryan, Exhibit Design Intern at the University of Iowa Special Collections, interviews Gregg Niemiec, Spirit Coach of the Iowa Spirit Squad. For Herky’s 70th birthday, Gregg and Chloe team up in the Special Collections to discuss theContinue reading “Who’s Got Spirit?: An Interview with Gregg Niemiec, UI Spirit Coordinator”