Category Archives: Manuscript Collections

Pedagogy Series Conclusion: Interview with Shelby Gatewood

By: Shelby Gatewood, first-year undergraduate at The University of Alabama Editor’s Note: This post is the last of a six-part series highlighting innovative special collections pedagogy.  Read an interview with Sarah Smiley’s instructor, Brooke Champagne and review the assignment. Then learn about Mary Dees, Jean … Continue reading

Pedagogy Series: The Neglected History of Bryce Hospital

By: Shelby Gatewood, first-year undergraduate at The University of Alabama Editor’s Note: This post is the fifth of a six-part series highlighting innovative special collections pedagogy. Read an interview with Sarah Smiley’s instructor, Brooke Champagne and review the assignment. Then learn about Mary Dees, Jean Harlow’s … Continue reading

Pedagogy Series: The Empty Heart of Mary Dees

By: Sarah Smylie, first-year undergraduate at The University of Alabama Editor’s Note: This post is the third in a six-part series highlighting innovative special collections pedagogy. Read an interview with Sarah Smylie’s instructor, Brooke Champagne, or view this paper’s assignment prompt … Continue reading

The Many Faces of Big Al

By: April Burnett, W.S. Hoole Library Archival Technician At the University of Alabama, Big Al may very well be the most recognizable face on campus.  However, that famous face of his has changed over the years.  How many of you … Continue reading

The Willie Pape Scrapbooks: An Antebellum Alabama Child Prodigy

William Barnesmore “Willie” Pape William Barnesmore “Willie” Pape was born February 27, 1850 in Mobile, Alabama, the son of William O. and Tabitha McBride Pape.  His talent for music was discovered at a very early age and in 1854, Willie’s … Continue reading

In great confusion I drop you a line…: A Letter from the Creek Indian War

On August 30, 1813, Creek Indians, under the leadership of William Weatherford, also known as Red Eagle, attacked Fort Mims in what is now Baldwin County, killing nearly 250 settlers who had gathered there for protection. The attack caused fear … Continue reading

Quercus Macrocarpa

Here is an elegant botanical photograph of Quercus Macrocarpa or the Burr Oak (with a box of matches for scale), taken by botanist Roland Harper in 1949 near the town of Snowden, Alabama. From the Roland Harper Collection, and available … Continue reading

Aftermath of the 1932 Tornado Outbreak in Alabama

These five images are from the Roland Harper Photographs Collection — photographs by Roland Harper of aftermath of the deadly tornado outbreak in the deep south on March 21 and 22, 1932. The destruction and loss of life was staggering, … Continue reading

Celebrate Earth Day!

Utricularia juncea, Eriophorum, Lefhamthus, and Azalea visersa, in bog just N. of lake; 3:22 pm, Lake Ronkonkoma, New York. Diazo print, Cyanotype. From the Roland McMillan Harper photographs collection, W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library.

Happy Opening Day! How about That!

Mel Allen and Micky Mantle, from the Mel Allen Collection, W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library, The University of Alabama.