Explore Unique Items from the University Archives

Collections from the former University Museum, now housed in the Milne Special Collections and Archives, are being displayed on Level 3 (main floor) and Level 5 of Dimond Library. The display on Level 3 highlights UNH’s status as a land-grant institution, with items from past courses and department initiatives including an 1899 issue of Agricultural Education, a trophy from a 1942-43 egg laying contest, milk bottles, zoology lab tools, a tensiometer, and a bog shoe, which was used for horse-drawn lawnmowing before the invention of gas-powered mowers.

One display on Level 5 showcases the history of ROTC at UNH, with a jacket and caps from military uniforms displayed alongside photographs and publications. One publication included is the January 11, 1943 issue of LIFE magazine, which features an article on “Girls’ ROTC,” beginning: “If, as the natives whisper, Daniel Webster sometimes revisits his childhood haunts when the wild winds whistle through the New Hampshire hills, he would find no more baffling sign of the U.S. at war than the sight of 650 rugged bare-legged girls drilling on a bleak, snow-covered field.”

Another display focuses on athletics at UNH, featuring a 1950 championship jacket; the football from a 1952 game; a student ticket from the 1924-25 season; a hockey stick, puck and gloves; a cheerleader’s uniform and pom-poms; and a button stating, “It’s HARD to be HUMBLE when you’re a WILDCAT.” Another button declares, with some exasperation, “No! I can not! get you tickets.”

A complementary exhibit in the Milne Room on Level 3 includes photographs from the University’s history with an emphasis on social life and community. The photographs depict Homecoming in 1979, the Golden Jubilee in 1973, participants in a greased pole competition in 1967, a freshman camp day in 1956, several scenes from New Hampshire Day in 1924, and College Day (now known as UDay) in 1923, when the freshman and sophomore classes took part in a rope-pull competition.

“My colleague Rebecca Chasse and I selected these objects from University Museum collections to demonstrate the rich material culture of our campus and its roots as a land grant university,” says University Archivist Kai Uchida. “We are an institution that is steeped in a tradition not only of agricultural research, but also one of service, educational excellence and, of course, our incredible athletics program. From this exhibit, we hope visitors to the library gain an appreciation of all the ways that students, staff and faculty have always shaped and continue to shape the history of our proud school.”

All are welcome to visit these exhibits during library hours.

The Milne Special Collections and Archives maintains approximately 18,000 linear feet of rare books, manuscripts, University records, photographs, sound recordings and other materials. Researchers are welcome to use items from the collection in our reading room, located in Dimond Library, Room 101. You can schedule an appointment online, email us at archives@unh.edu, or call us at (603) 862-2714.