Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

04/27/2021

Today’s #RareBookCorner is Your New York (F128.18 .Y68 1937), published in 1937 by the Federal Writer’s Project. This #vintage brochure documents and details the wonders of #NewYorkCity, encouraging Americans to visit the city or make #NYC their home.

#1930s #photography #travel #rarebooks

Today’s #RareBookCorner is Your New York (F128.18 .Y68 1937), published in 1937 by the Federal Writer’s Project. This #vintage brochure documents and details the wonders of #NewYorkCity, encouraging Americans to visit the city or make #NYC their home.

#1930s #photography #travel #rarebooks

04/26/2021

New and Updated Finding Aids – Part Three

All collections mentioned were processed by Amanda Brent. Martha Swope photographs of Jerome Robbins rehearsing with ballet dancers for "Antique Epigraphs" "Two black and white photographs of Jerome Robbins rehearsing with ballet dancers for 'Antique Epigraphs' at the New York City Ballet, taken by Martha Swope in early 1984. Both photographs feature Robbins directing the dancers and demonstrating his choreography...Jerome Robbins was one of the foremost dancers and choreographers of the 20th century....

https://vault217.gmu.edu/?p=9530

All collections mentioned were processed by Amanda Brent. Martha Swope photographs of Jerome Robbins rehearsing with ballet dancers for “Antique Epigraphs” “Two black and white ph…

04/15/2021

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment in the Midst of COVID-19 – Part 2

This is Part 2 of a two-part article. Part 1 can be accessed here. On November 17, 2020 the University Libraries and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) conducted their yearly co-sponsored panel presentation. 2020's presentation focused on the Womens' Movement and was entitled: “The Equal Rights Amendment”. Because of closures related to the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020's event was held via Zoom video conferencing....

https://vault217.gmu.edu/?p=9554

This is Part 2 of a two-part article. Part 1 can be accessed here. On November 17, 2020 the University Libraries and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) conducted their yearly co-sponsored…

04/13/2021

Today we highlight Scream at the Librarian by Joel Rane, Raymond Pettibon, and Cristin Sheehan Sullivan (N7433.4.R364 S38 2007). This #artistsbook contains silly and shocking stories of LA librarians and their encounters with unique patrons, accompanied by #sketches that bring the tales to life.

#library #librarians #stories #art

Today we highlight Scream at the Librarian by Joel Rane, Raymond Pettibon, and Cristin Sheehan Sullivan (N7433.4.R364 S38 2007). This #artistsbook contains silly and shocking stories of LA librarians and their encounters with unique patrons, accompanied by #sketches that bring the tales to life.

#library #librarians #stories #art

04/09/2021

Today’s #FridayFind is Fatal Fashion: A Zine About Deadly Fashion by Maryann Riker and Nancy Scott (GT2060.R55 F38 2017). This miniature-sized #zine contains text detailing trends in #fashion that turned lethal, such as the ‘Paris Green’ dresses dyed using arsenic-based pigments.

#fatalfashion #fashiontrends #victorianfashion

Today’s #FridayFind is Fatal Fashion: A Zine About Deadly Fashion by Maryann Riker and Nancy Scott (GT2060.R55 F38 2017). This miniature-sized #zine contains text detailing trends in #fashion that turned lethal, such as the ‘Paris Green’ dresses dyed using arsenic-based pigments.

#fatalfashion #fashiontrends #victorianfashion

04/06/2021

Today we highlight Flowers of Song, Arranged with an Accompaniment for the Spanish Guitar by T.B. Phipps and Gustavo Carulli (M1624.P45 F56 1830). This book contains a delightful and beloved collection of #songs arranged for the #Spanish language and guitar.

#music #spanishguitar #19thcentury #rarebooks

Today we highlight Flowers of Song, Arranged with an Accompaniment for the Spanish Guitar by T.B. Phipps and Gustavo Carulli (M1624.P45 F56 1830). This book contains a delightful and beloved collection of #songs arranged for the #Spanish language and guitar.

#music #spanishguitar #19thcentury #rarebooks

03/30/2021

Today we highlight Kamisuki Chöhōki: A Handy Guide to Papermaking, written by Kunisaki Jihei (TS1095.J3 K82 1948). Originating in 1798, this book contains detailed descriptions of making paper, along with the original #Japanese text and drawings.

#papermaking #Japan

Today we highlight Kamisuki Chöhōki: A Handy Guide to Papermaking, written by Kunisaki Jihei (TS1095.J3 K82 1948). Originating in 1798, this book contains detailed descriptions of making paper, along with the original #Japanese text and drawings.

#papermaking #Japan

03/29/2021

New and Updated Finding Aids – Part Two

Check out our latest New and Updated Finding Aids blog! #archives #specialcollections #Pride
https://vault217.gmu.edu/?p=9486

Hello one and all! Here is a new addition of New and Updated Finding Aids – enjoy! … Mezzotint portrait of Thomas Augustine Arne engraved by William Humphrey from a painting by Robert D…

03/26/2021

Today’s #FridayFind is Come to Virginia, published by the Norfolk and Western Railway Company (F227.N6 C6 1931). The purpose of this booklet is to showcase Virginia’s most popular and well-known locations and attract tourists – all accompanied by #1930s #photography. Some memorable locations include #VirginiaBeach and #Norfolk, “The Ideal Resort City.”

#VA #Virginia #travel #travelguide

Today’s #FridayFind is Come to Virginia, published by the Norfolk and Western Railway Company (F227.N6 C6 1931). The purpose of this booklet is to showcase Virginia’s most popular and well-known locations and attract tourists – all accompanied by #1930s #photography. Some memorable locations include #VirginiaBeach and #Norfolk, “The Ideal Resort City.”

#VA #Virginia #travel #travelguide

03/23/2021

To celebrate the start of the spring season, today we highlight A Taste of Spring by Mindy Heiferling (TX715 .H417 1993). This vibrant #cookbook showcases fresh #recipes perfect for #springtime, such as soft-shell crab, spring greens, and sweet cherries.

#spring #springequinox #springrecipes #freshfoods

To celebrate the start of the spring season, today we highlight A Taste of Spring by Mindy Heiferling (TX715 .H417 1993). This vibrant #cookbook showcases fresh #recipes perfect for #springtime, such as soft-shell crab, spring greens, and sweet cherries.

#spring #springequinox #springrecipes #freshfoods

03/19/2021

In honor of #CertifiedNursesDay, today’s #FridayFind is A Manual of Nursing, published by the Bellevue Hospital and Training School for Nurses (RT65.B46 M3). This book details the ins and outs of what it means to be a #nurse, such as hospital management, administering medicine, and handling emergencies. We thank our nurses today and every day for their dedication!

#ThankYouNurses

In honor of #CertifiedNursesDay, today’s #FridayFind is A Manual of Nursing, published by the Bellevue Hospital and Training School for Nurses (RT65.B46 M3). This book details the ins and outs of what it means to be a #nurse, such as hospital management, administering medicine, and handling emergencies. We thank our nurses today and every day for their dedication!

#ThankYouNurses

03/16/2021

Today we highlight An Chéad Leabhar Gaedhilge: First Irish Book by Charles Henry Stanely Davis (PB1223 .D3 1912). Get ready to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day by learning how to speak in the #Irish language. Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit!

#StPatricksDay

Today we highlight An Chéad Leabhar Gaedhilge: First Irish Book by Charles Henry Stanely Davis (PB1223 .D3 1912). Get ready to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day by learning how to speak in the #Irish language. Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit!

#StPatricksDay

03/12/2021

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment in the Midst of COVID-19, Part 1

This is Part #1 of a two-part article. SCRC planned an exhibit of materials to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in the fall of 2020. The exhibit was intended to coincide with panel discussion on the Equal Rights Amendment to be held in Fenwick Library. Each fall the Libraries partner with Mason's…...

https://vault217.gmu.edu/?p=9519

This is Part #1 of a two-part article. SCRC planned an exhibit of materials to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in the fall of 2020. T…

03/12/2021

Today’s #FridayFind is The Nature of Reston by Charles A. Veatch (F234.R47 V43 2005). Vibrant photographs of Reston’s #wildlife accompany text detailing its history and charm. Our copy here at SCRC is also signed by the author. Additionally, SCRC houses the Charles A. Veatch papers (C0138), which include 14 boxes of material about the history and development of Reston, Virginia and other Fairfax County locations.

#Reston #Virginia #VA #NOVA #photography #nature

Today’s #FridayFind is The Nature of Reston by Charles A. Veatch (F234.R47 V43 2005). Vibrant photographs of Reston’s #wildlife accompany text detailing its history and charm. Our copy here at SCRC is also signed by the author. Additionally, SCRC houses the Charles A. Veatch papers (C0138), which include 14 boxes of material about the history and development of Reston, Virginia and other Fairfax County locations.

#Reston #Virginia #VA #NOVA #photography #nature

03/09/2021

Women in American Politics, from the 19th Amendment to Madam Vice President

March 2021 is the first Women’s History Month where the phrase “Madam Vice President” is a reality, and Kamala Harris’s election to the second-highest office in the land in the year of the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage in the United States makes this year’s celebration extra meaningful. While major barriers to voting rights for all Americans remained after the passage of the 19th amendment in 1920 (and remain to this day), it was still an advance towards equality regardless of sex; it also helped make women’s representation in government and election to high office possible on a broader scale....

https://vault217.gmu.edu/?p=9492

March 2021 is the first Women’s History Month where the phrase “Madam Vice President” is a reality, and Kamala Harris’s election to the second-highest office in the land in the year of the 100th an…

03/09/2021

Today we highlight The Moon Has No Weather by Sarah Peters (N7433.4.P473 M66 2013). Combining the art of #science and #engineering, this #artistsbook explores the nature of our planet’s #moon through stunning imagery and short text.

#lunar #outerspace #art #research #STEM #womensstudioworkshop

Today we highlight The Moon Has No Weather by Sarah Peters (N7433.4.P473 M66 2013). Combining the art of #science and #engineering, this #artistsbook explores the nature of our planet’s #moon through stunning imagery and short text.

#lunar #outerspace #art #research #STEM #womensstudioworkshop

03/03/2021

#IntoAmerica—#HarlemOnMyMind Part 4: Trymaine Lee examines the legacy of playwright Abram Hill, who unapologetically centered his work around Black characters, audiences, & communities. Listen now. https://link.chtbl.com/obvkRMCh?sid=facebook Part 4 of this series features parts of Abram Hill's oral history from our Works Progress Administration Oral History collection. We are currently working with a #CLIRgrant to have this collection digitized for the public. Be on the lookout for more information on the completion of this project coming soon!

02/26/2021

Today’s #FridayFinds is The Blue Flower (PS3117 .B6 1902) by Henry Van Dyke. This is a collection of #shortstories encompassing beautiful #themes and diverse #genres, all bound in a striking blue book cover with gold and green #floral details.

#henryvandyke #poetry #fairytales

Today’s #FridayFinds is The Blue Flower (PS3117 .B6 1902) by Henry Van Dyke. This is a collection of #shortstories encompassing beautiful #themes and diverse #genres, all bound in a striking blue book cover with gold and green #floral details.

#henryvandyke #poetry #fairytales

02/25/2021

Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA updated their info in the about section.

Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA updated their info in the about section.

02/25/2021

Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA updated their business hours.

Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA updated their business hours.

02/25/2021

Our last #BlackHistoryMonth post highlights one of our greatest collections, period! See below for details and image text. And remember, Black History goes beyond just February!

#archives #specialcollections #ArchivesForBlackLives #Reston #plannedcommunities George Mason University College of Humanities and Social Sciences

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Reston Black Focus records

Reston is a planned community in Northern Virginia. Robert E. Simon, Jr., the founder of Reston, purchased the land with the proceeds from the sale of Carnegie Hall in New York City in 1961. Construction began in 1963 with the building of Lake Anne. During the late 1960s - early 1970s, the Reston Black Focus was established to encourage Black citizens to participate more in Reston and to promote Black culture and lifestyles.

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Since Black families had limited living choices, many looked to "new towns" like Reston for housing, schooling, and recreation away from the racism rampant in "old" urban and suburban towns. In their original document "Reston Black Focus Goals" it stated: “Black middle class cannot avoid the negative ramifications of political and economic exploitation of black people…We must come to better understand ourselves to present to our children a non-racist vision of who they are and their relationships to each other and to the positive development of America…A new town must, if it is to be truly open, have all kinds of people in positive encounters with each other to lose their fears of the unknown other” (Page 2-3).They also list four main goals for the group (Page 3): Education and cultural development; Rearing of Black children; Concerns of Black Restonians with the development of Reston; and Relationships among Black Restonians.

The Reston Black Focus records mainly consists of papers, such as correspondence, advertisements, financial information, and general information. Also included in the collection is a series on the Reston Homeowners Association (RHOA) with papers and other information from the Association.
Collection Info at a Glance

Collection Number: C0137
Available to researchers physically and digitally
Finding aid URL: https://scrc.gmu.edu/finding_aids/restonblackfocus.html
If you have questions about this collection, you can find our contact info and much more at https://linktr.ee/gmuspeccoll

02/23/2021

Today’s #RareBookTuesday is The New Hydropathic Cook-Book (TX353.T769 N53 1855) by R. T. Trall. This is not your average cookbook. Rather, the author on the sanitation of food and theory of #nutrition before detailing #healthy and practical #recipes.

#hydropathic #cooking #cookbook

Today’s #RareBookTuesday is The New Hydropathic Cook-Book (TX353.T769 N53 1855) by R. T. Trall. This is not your average cookbook. Rather, the author on the sanitation of food and theory of #nutrition before detailing #healthy and practical #recipes.

#hydropathic #cooking #cookbook

02/19/2021

Today’s #FridayFinds is Stars: Nature’s Details (N7433.4.T56 S73 2006) by Jill Timm. This miniature #artistsbook is filled with vibrant and awe-inspiring images of #stars and #galaxies photographed by #NASA.

Today’s #FridayFinds is Stars: Nature’s Details (N7433.4.T56 S73 2006) by Jill Timm. This miniature #artistsbook is filled with vibrant and awe-inspiring images of #stars and #galaxies photographed by #NASA.

02/18/2021

Our highlighting of Black-focused collections continues this week with our recent accession of the St. Emma's Military Academy program and postcard collection. Image text below.
#BlackHistoryMonth #archives #specialcollections #archivesforblacklives George Mason University College of Humanities and Social Sciences

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St. Emma's Military Academy catalog and postcard

This collection provides a snapshot into Black education during the 20th century in the U.S. It includes a program catalog and postcard sent by a student from St. Emma Military Academy, a high school for Black boys in Powhatan, VA. The catalog, probably created in the 1930s or 1940s, contains details about the course of study and life at the school.

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St. Emma Military Academy, also known as St. Emma's Military Academy, was founded in 1895 as the St. Emma's Industrial and Agricultural Institute. The school's founders, Edward de Vaux Morrell and his wife Louise, were from Philadelphia. The school was located at Belmead, a Virginia plantation where Philip St. George Cocke enslaved hundreds of Black men, women, and children.

As noted by Greg McQuade in a news story for WTVR Richmond, "Ten thousand young men graduated in nearly 80 years. A stark contrast to the dark beginnings of Belmead," ("Former cadets push to save old African-American military academy"). Robert Walker, a graduate of the school, said, "You would leave here with a military diploma. A trade diploma and an academic diploma,"(quoted in McQuade, "Former cadets push to save old African-American military academy").

St. Emma Military Academy closed in 1972.

Collection Info at a Glance
Collection Number: C0380
Available to researchers physically and digitally upon request
Finding aid URL: https://scrc.gmu.edu/finding_aids/stemmas.html
If you have questions about this collection, you can find our contact info and much more at https://linktr.ee/gmuspeccoll