As part of its Sesquicentennial exhibit, “150 Ways to Say Cornell,” the University Library’s Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections is displaying dozens of items of Cornell memorabilia in Kroch Library. While the overall exhibit, which runs through the end of September, leans toward items of historical import (the University charter; a giant architectural drawing of McGraw Tower), two vitrines are dedicated to whimsical Big Red ephemera, much of it donated by alumni. There are pennants; playing cards; tickets to dances and sports games; stuffed animals; a Sixties-era football bobblehead; the Cornell version of a doll named Kitty Co-ed; a Class of 1891 bow tie; and more. “Serious, silly, romantic, and nostalgic are the mementos and ephemera that connect us to our past,” a descriptive card declares. “They tell our story to our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and possibly to strangers who never knew us, but to whom we are connected through our shared experience of Cornell. What will you keep?”
Favorite things: The vintage Cornelliana on display in Kroch includes (clockwise from left) a stuffed penguin, playing card, ‘Kitty Co-ed’ doll, freshman beanie, football bobblehead, beer stein and megaphone.