The following is written by student worker Jack Menzies Thor Rinden was an artist born in Marshalltown, Iowa in 1937 and studied at the University of Iowa before attaining his Master of Arts at Hunter College, New York, NY. Living with his wife, Jane,the couple spent decades renovating their home in Brooklyn, which garnered substantialContinue reading “Thor Rinden: Artist’s notebooks reveal Iowa’s lasting impressions”
Category Archives: New Acquisitions
Monica Ong: An Asian-American Visual Poet
The following is written by Olson Graduate Research Assistant Matrice Young Special Collections & Archives recently acquired two artists books from Monica Ong, a second generation Chinese-Filipino American woman born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Her family history, like many Americans, is a complex one. During World War II, her grandparents left Fujian, China and immigrated to Manila in the Philippines. There, both of her parentsContinue reading “Monica Ong: An Asian-American Visual Poet”
The Sam Hamod Saga, Part One: Making Introductions
The following is written by graduate student Bailey Adolph, who is processing the Sam Hamod Papers. “Thus, we gain richness from our heritage—but we should not be limited as writers by our ethnicity.” —Sam Hamod, “Ethos and Ethnos: The Ethnic Writer in the USA” At the beginning of the summer, the University of Iowa SpecialContinue reading “The Sam Hamod Saga, Part One: Making Introductions”
Celebrating Beatrix Potter’s Birthday with New Acquisitions
The following is written by Public Services Librarian, Lindsay Moen Today marks the 155th birthday of renowned children’s book author, Beatrix Potter. Potter was best known as the author and illustrator of cherished tales such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck, and The Tailor of Gloucester. While Peter Rabbit mightContinue reading “Celebrating Beatrix Potter’s Birthday with New Acquisitions”
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”
Iowa’s Medieval Manuscripts Collection Goes to the Dogs
The following was written by Curator of Books and Maps, Eric Ensley Iowa’s Medieval Manuscripts Collection has gone to the dogs, or at least to a new book with dog-themed decoration. Just in time for the tulips blooming across Iowa, our newest medieval book, a beautifully decorated book of hours, comes to us from late medievalContinue reading “Iowa’s Medieval Manuscripts Collection Goes to the Dogs”
Brokaw Papers Capture 55 Years of Journalism History
At the end of January of 2021, NBC News Anchor and Correspondent Tom Brokaw announced his retirement after a remarkable 55 years of journalism. Brokaw started his television career right here in Iowa, working at KTIV in Sioux City. He moved on KMTV in Omaha, Nebraska and then to WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia. By 1966,Continue reading “Brokaw Papers Capture 55 Years of Journalism History”
Djuna Barnes’ Ladies Almanack: An almanac like no other
The following is written by Curator of Books and Maps Eric Ensley March is women’s history month, and it feels appropriate to turn towards the work of a great writer from the early twentieth century, Djuna Barnes. Barnes is well known to students of gender and sexuality, particularly for her literary work that broached theContinue reading “Djuna Barnes’ Ladies Almanack: An almanac like no other”
Ida Bogue’s Handmade Adventure
The following was written by Curator of Books and Maps Eric Ensley As the snow begins to melt away in Iowa City, happily we begin to think of nature and adventures along the hills and riverbanks of the countryside. This desire for spring is felt all the more as we live through times of lossContinue reading “Ida Bogue’s Handmade Adventure”
A New Processional, from Poissy to the Prairie
The following comes from Book and Maps Curator, Eric Ensley A perennial question for students of the Middle Ages is how and what did women read. The newest addition to our collection of medieval manuscripts answers this question at least in one place and moment. This diminutive book from the first half of the sixteenthContinue reading “A New Processional, from Poissy to the Prairie”