Founders Day records
Scope and Contents
The Founders Day records documents the campus celebration of the establishment of the University in 1849. Materials are divided chronologically into seven series: 1895-1927, Diamond Jubilee (75th Anniversary), Centennial (100th Anniversary). Quasquincentennial (125th Anniversary), 1981-1989, 1990-1998, Sesquicentennial (150th Anniversary). The original filing system is largely intact and provides easy intellectual access.
The series 1895-1927 consists of a small leather bound book pertaining to the celebrations exercises, newspaper clippings, programs and invitations to the Founders Day events. Diamond Jubilee (75th Anniversary) series of records from 1927, consists of materials recognizing alumni, newspaper clippings about the celebration and program and pageant pamphlets. The Centennial (100th Anniversary), 1949 contains three sub-series: Preparation, Day of Events and Celebration, and Recognition. Within each of the sub-series files are arranged in an alphabetical order.
The series Quasquincentennial (125th Anniversary), 1974 consists of material pertaining to Community Day and its select program, Football activites, Cermonies, Maps, Newspaper Clippings, Articles, Letters and a Tree Planting Ceremony. The series 1981-1989 consists of material associated with a Cake Cutting Ceremony, Letters of Donation, Invitations and Programs. The series 1990-1998 consists of material associated with Award Ceremonies, Birthday Celebrations and Newspaper Clippings.
The series Sesquicentennial (150th Anniversary), 1999 consists of three sub-series: Preparation, Day of Events and Celebration, and Aftermath and Recognition. This includes materials pertaining to committee meetings; events of the actual day such a ball, reception, kick-off ceremny and video show; material that came about after the event had passed, including magazines, articles, memorbilia and pictures.
Although is a comprehensive look at a recurring anniversary on campus and the celebration surrounding it, tt is not a complete record of this event on campus.
Dates
- Creation: 1895 - 2000
Conditions Governing Access
Researchers are asked to request materials 24 hours prior to visiting the the University Archives.
History of Founders Day
Founders Day was first celebrated in May 1849 to promote and celebrate the founding of the Michigan State Normal School. Those involved in the events of Founders Day included Faculty, Alumni, other colleges and universities, and members of the surroudning community. Events often included welcome speeches given by the school president, an inauguration ceremony, an award ceremony, a festival, pageant, parade, musical events and dance. Planning for the Founders Day Anniversary usually began a year prior to the celebration. The most recent celebration was the Sesquicentennial, or 150th Anniversary.
Extent
7.8 Linear Feet (2 record center cartons, 3 oversize folders, 3 objects)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Founders Day records documents the campus celebration of the establishment of the University in 1849. The records date from 1895 through 2000 and pertain mainly to specific Founder Day celebrations and their associated years. There are not materials for each celebration, but for those years that have been documented sometimes, but not always, include adminstrative files, committee lists, financial records, minutes, correspondence, publicity/press, and visual materials. Specific years documented in the collection include: 1895-1927, 1927, 1949, 1974, 1981-1989, 1990-1998, and 1999-2000. There are no materials in the collection past 2000.
- Title
- Founders Day records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Mikayla Kies, Graduate Student at Simmons College School of Library and Information Science
- Date
- 2016 November 4
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Eastern Michigan University Archives Repository
Bruce T. Halle Library, Room 310
955 West Circle Drive
Ypsilanti Michigan 48197
734-487-2673
lib_archives@emich.edu