Category Archives: ARB Library

Posts related to the archives and rare books category

Cincinnati General Hospital Architectural Specifications Added to the University Archives

Posted on by

Cover of the specification book for the “Daniel Drake Pavilion,” later to be built as the “Mont Reid Pavilion.”

The University Archives recently processed a new collection of eight architectural specification books for new construction, additions, and renovations to buildings on the Cincinnati General Hospital Campus dating from 1935-1957. The specification books were found by staff members of University Hospital’s Plant Operations & Maintenance Department, and were transferred to the Archives for research and preservation. With the exception of the Mont Reid Pavilion (which was referred to as the Daniel Drake Pavilion at the time of specification) the buildings for which these specifications were written no longer exist. All of the specifications were drawn up by Samuel Hannaford & Sons Architects and include general contract conditions as well as details regarding carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, equipment, and other construction areas. Continue reading →

The Ray M. Culter Nature Conservancy Papers Finding Aids Available

Posted on by

For the past sixty years, The Nature Conservancy has fought to protect natural habitats and clean up our waterways.  Founded in 1950 as the Ecologists Union by a group of scientists, The Nature Conservancy has preserved 119 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of river throughout the world.  Today, this private, nonprofit organization is a leader in the field of conservation with more than one million members and offices in thirty countries.  The Archives and Rare Books Library holds the papers of Ray M. Culter, a former Vice President of the Nature Conservancy, which consists of 43 linear feet of material pertaining to his work with the Conservancy including correspondence, financial records, newsletters, brochures, and reports.  A new group of papers was recently added to this collection consisting of Culter’s papers from his work with both The Nature Conservancy and other conservation groups including American Rivers, The Potomac Conservancy, and the Center for Watershed Protection. Continue reading →

Oh Paoletta!

Posted on by
Mark Palkovic, Head of the CCM Library, with the bust of Pietro Floridia

Mark Palkovic, Head of the CCM Library, with the bust of Pietro Floridia

It’s a total bust!  Really.  A bronze sculpture of composer Pietro Floridia has been donated to the University of Cincinnati and has found a home in the Gorno Memorial Music Library in the Blegen Library Building.  The setting is entirely appropriate because back in 2004, the UC Libraries were about to add the 3,000,000th volume to its collections, with the desire that this addition be suitably rare and unusual, and, reflect the University’s historical ties to the City of Cincinnati.  Dean Victoria A. Montavon marked this noteworthy event by designating the purchase of a collection of music, costume drawings, and documents of the opera, Paoletta, composed by Floridia as the official “Three Millionth.”  The materials joined the collections in the UC Libraries’ Archives & Rare Books Library. Continue reading →

College of Business Publications and Photographs

Posted on by

The Archives & Rare Books Library recently processed a collection of publications and photographs from the College of Business. Publications cover the years 2006-2008 and include postcards, brochures, advertisements, announcements, news releases, and other miscellaneous pieces. Photographs cover the years 1997-2001 and concentrate on Graduate/MBA activities such as graduation, international trips, and celebrations. The two-box collection has been accessioned as UA-10-07. A finding aid is available on the Archives & Rare Books Library website at http://www.libraries.uc.edu/libraries/arb/archives/collections/documents/UA-10-07CollegeofBusiness.pdf and on OhioLink’s Finding Aid Repository at http://rave.ohiolink.edu/archives/ead/OhCiUAR0209.   Continue reading →

ARB Intern Project Near Completion

Posted on by

The Archives & Rare Books Library’s 2009-2010 intern is headed toward the completion of her special project.  Lilia Walsh, a University of Cincinnati Honors student, has been working for the past nine months on compiling an annotated bibliography and web exhibit of ARB’s rare books on William Morris and the Arts & Crafts Movement.

Morris (1834-1896) was an artist, designer, writer, and socialist in England, and a giant presence in the Pre-Raphaelite and Arts & Crafts art worlds, particularly with his emphasis on a resurgence in craftsmanship.  Continue reading →

Former UC Prez Nancy Zimpher Joins ARB Staff

Posted on by

Nancy Zimpher and Kathleen ForsteIn April, the Archives & Rare Books Library staff was bolstered by the addition of former University of Cincinnati president Nancy Zimpher.  Zimpher served as UC’s chief executive from 2003 to 2009 and was referred to ARB by the campus office of the president in University Pavilion.  Dr. Zimpher is currently welcoming students and researchers as they enter the archives reference area, so we encourage everyone to stop by and say hello.  She has been accessioned as UA-10-06 and will be a permanent member of the University Archives.  In this accompanying image, Dr. Zimpher has her picture taken with student worker Kathleen Forste.

– Kevin Grace

McMicken Will Notice Found in Cincinnati German Newspaper

Posted on by
Charles McMicken

Charles McMicken

This past Tuesday when Professor Richard Schade was examining early Cincinnati German newspapers in the Archives & Rare Books Library, he came across an interesting item: a notice about Charles McMicken’s will in the April 1858 issue of Protestantische Zeitblatter. Considered the founder of the University of Cincinnati, McMicken died of pneumonia on March 30, 1858. His will stipulated a bequest to the City of Cincinnati to found a university, and after several fits and starts, UC was officially established in 1870.  Continue reading →

An Unexpected View of Blegen Library

Posted on by

Click to view larger image

Two years ago when CCM Librarian Mark Palkovic worked with a UC architecture seminar on historic preservation on projects that created designs for an academic music library, there was an unexpected bonus for the University Archives.  The students’ projects centered on using the abandoned University YMCA building at the south end of campus to imagine its adaptive reuse as a library and performance space. Continue reading →

Former Interim President Monica Rimai's Speeches and Appearances

Posted on by

The Archives & Rare Books Library has completed processing one box of speeches and appearance records of former Interim President Monica Rimai. Rimai joined the University in 2005 and had served as Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance since 2006. The Board of Trustees named her Interim President in March 2009 after Nancy Zimpher resigned to become Chancellor of the State University of New York system. Rimai served as Interim President from June 1, 2009 until November 1, 2009, when President Gregory H. Williams began his tenure. Rimai resigned her position as Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance in the fall of 2009 to become Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer of the State University of New York system. Continue reading →

New German American Online Exhibit on the ARB Web Page

Posted on by

The Archives & Rare Books Library has added a new exhibit to its German Americana Collection and Urban Studies Collection web pages.  Gemutlikeit, Schnitzelbank, and Kitsch: German American Caricature in Vintage Postcards explores the creation and perpetuation of German American ethnic stereotypes through cartoon images found on popular postcards in the 20th century.  More than fifty cards illustrating a public view of a major ethnic group are included in the exhibit. Continue reading →