Print Page

Inside the Vault


Malinda Triller gingerly arranges the World War II diaries and pauses to consider the question: What is her favorite item in Dickinson’s Archives & Special Collections?

She cannot help laughing. “There are so many interesting items here, dating back 200 years,” the special-collections librarian says, glancing toward the mammoth archives vault—and the untold numbers of artifacts, personal papers, records and rare books that nestle tantalizingly within. “I don’t think any of us can pick just one.”

For the purposes of this feature, however, she—and College Archivist Jim Gerencser ’93 and Friends of the Library Intern Krista Gray ’09—gave it a go. And with help from alumni who work in the field, they selected 14 fascinating books, papers, photos and objects representing different eras and aspects of Dickinson life. Read the full story.


1of1

  • This black moire dress belonged to Dickinson's first female graduate, Zatae Longsdorff, class of 1887. Zatae wore it when she won the coveted junior oratorical contest, earning her the Pierson Prize gold medal. It was donated by daughter Enid Straw Chamberlin in 1968.
    Zatae's Dress
  • A member of the Philadelphia literati, Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson prepared commonplace books—journals that included both original and quoted writings—for friends and relatives. Donated by Doug and Virginia Turnbull in 1980, this book was written for Annis Boudinot Stockton, mother-in-law of college founder Benjamin Rush.
    Elizabeth's Books
  • Donated by Dr. Ronald Goldberg ’54, this brass, spring-loaded lancet is believed to have belonged to Benjamin Rush. Many 18th- and 19th-century doctors used lancets like this to bleed patients.
    Benjamin the Bloodletter
  • Frank Mount Pleasant, class of 1910, was Dickinson's first known Native American graduate and competed in the 1908 Olympics. These trophies, which he earned at track meets in 1907 and 1910, were donated by Karen Kulik Deasey ’69 and Paul B. Kulik.
    Pre-Olympian Trophies
  • These journals chronicle more than four years of military service during World War II. A writer for the Harrisburg Telegraph, George E. Reed II ’35 enlisted in 1941 and spent most of his time in North Africa and Italy.
    WWII Journals
  • Horatio Collins King, class of 1858, was the author of the college’s alma mater and a Civil War Medal of Honor awardee. His diary is the only four-year student account of campus life. The book includes entries about fraternities, romances and national events. It was donated by King’s grandson, Edward D. Gray.
    Colorful Diary
  • This 20th-century version of an illuminated manuscript was the creation of Montagu Frank Modder, a visiting professor of English (1957-58), who authored and illustrated more than 1,000 pages chronicling English history and literature. It was donated in 1986 by daughter Anne Modder Smith.
    Illuminated Manuscript
  • Television producer Philip Capice ’52 was bestowed many industry awards, including this Emmy for his work on Sybil. Capice's family donated it in 2010, along with other memorabilia, including two People's Choice Awards (Dallas) and a Peabody Award (Green Eyes).
    Sybil's Emmy
  • This scrapbook, donated by John Bacon in 1968, was made by Anna M. Bacon, class of 1910, in 1909 as a record of her junior year. Scrapbooking was a popular hobby for students from the late-19th to mid-20th centuries.
    Scrapbooking Craze
  • Paul “Pappy” Hodge was a house manager/father for Dickinson’s chapter of the Phi Epsilon Pi fraternity for more than 50 years. His collection includes paddles made in his honor, newspaper clippings about the local African American community, photos and other memorabilia.
    Fraternity Life
  • When closed, these books appear like any others. When the pages are fanned, a work of art is revealed. The first example of fore-edge painting acquired by Dickinson, an 1809 edition of Paradise Lost (lower right), was donated by Marion Halsey in 1975, in memory of Hazel Cole. Cole donated many European and Asian artworks to Dickinson during her lifetime, including two Qing dynasty paintings.
    Hidden Treasures
  • Philadelphia politician/merchant Isaac Norris amassed one of the largest private libraries in the American colonies. His daughter and son-in-law, Mary and John Dickinson, donated nearly 2,000 volumes from his library to the college.
    2,000 Books!
  • Avid photographer Charles Francis Himes, class of 1855, provided the archives’ largest collection of late-19th-century campus photos. His daughter, Mary Himes Vale, donated them to the college in 1947, along with other materials created by her father, including photography-imprinted ceramic and porcelain.
    Experimental Photography
  • Purchased in 1811 along with other scientific apparatus of Joseph Priestley, this rifle uses compressed air to fire a small pellet. Multiple shots could be fired after priming the globe on top and then using an air pump. Photographs from the late 1870s show that the air rifle was then still in use.
    Priestley's Rifle
This black moire dress belonged to Dickinson's first female graduate, Zatae Longsdorff, class of 1887. Zatae wore it when she won the coveted junior oratorical contest, earning her the Pierson Prize gold medal. It was donated by daughter Enid Straw Chamberlin in 1968.Prev ImageNext Image

By MaryAlice Bitts Jackson and Jim Gerencser ’93
Photos by Carl Socolow ’77

Read about other Dickinsonians digging deep into archival work.