Happy Homecoming!

As we look forward to the big game against St. Olaf on September 28^th, take a minute to check out the homecoming display featuring past traditions of this college holiday.  Over the years, Gustavus has hosted a variety of events and some even continue today.  Homecoming traditionally allows alumni to gather and catch up, but also includes parades, pep fests, and various shows.  Many years ago, students even gathered around an enormous bonfire to celebrate the occasion.  Don’t forget to look at the Gustavus calendar for this year’s homecoming events and stop by the display case near the reference desk in the library to learn more about the history of homecoming!

Historic Yearbooks Now Online!

Exciting news from the College Archives: All published editions of Gustavus yearbooks from 1904-1992 are now searchable online along with the student newspaper. Utilize this new resource to dig up family history at Gustavus, uncover old traditions and campus events, or use for your own personal research topic of interest.

The Gustavian has chronicled the lives of students, the contributions of student organizations to campus life, and the impact of faculty and staff since its earliest editions, where it was formerly known by titles such as Manhem, Runes, Valkyria, and Breidablick.

You can browse issues by selecting “Issue List” and filtering by “Gustavian Yearbooks.” This short video shows the steps.

Elections at Gustavus

Students are often passionate about political causes and especially so during presidential election years.  In the modern era, as evidenced by results of a student preference survey in the most recent issue of the Gustavian Weekly, Gustavus students prefer more liberal candidates.  In decades and centuries past, Gusties favored the more conservative contenders.  Although the following link will take you to images of electioneering at Gustavus from years past, these few images document only a sampling of political activity and student election activism.  To learn more about former elections at Gustavus, please visit the College and Lutheran Church Archives.

Images: Election Images

Archives Open House and Free Tour

October is American Archives Month so visit the College and Lutheran Church Archives and take a tour. Tours will feature historical Gustavus treasures and awesome artifacts not usually on public display. Find out what the archives is all about and what it has to offer you.  The archives is located on the library's top floor, directly above the main entrance.

Tours: 

• Wednesday, 17 October, 11:30-noonish
• Thursday, 25 October, 1:30-2:00ish
• Tuesday, 30 October, 3:30-4:00ish

Welcoming Royalty to Gustavus

As Gustavus is busy preparing to welcome Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, check out this new display that showcases their previous visits to our campus.  The “Swedish Royalty Visits Gustavus” display features artifacts and articles from the King and Queen’s last three visits.  Swedish Royalty has visited Gustavus for the United States’ Bicentennial, to unveil a sculpture, and to rededicate Nobel Hall.  Before the King and Queen of Sweden arrive to dedicate the West Mall and celebrate the sesquicentennial, visit this exciting display located on the main floor of the Library near the reference section!

Blast from the Past: Civil War in the Eyes of Union Soldiers

As we celebrate the sesquicentennial of Gustavus Adolphus College, it is important to look back and discover the events that occurred as Gustavus began.  One hundred and fifty years ago, our country was in the midst of a Civil War.  Many interesting facts can be revealed by studying the conflict, and the archives can help!  Check out the Civil War Documents display on the library’s main floor near the reference desk.  You’ll gain a greater understanding by reading what a Union solder’s life was like.  Some letters of Olof Nelson and excerpts from the diary of N.S. Carter are displayed to showcase the experiences of these men as they fought in the war.  This display was created by Lacie Micek, an archives student worker.

Christmas in the Archives

Stop by the Archives and check out our festive new look!  Swedish Christmas magazines along with a few intriguing Swedish bibles are on display.  

The Christmas lights and decorations will bring holiday cheer to your research, so come in and unwrap new knowledge!