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unkarchives.bsky.social
UNK Archives
@unkarchives.bsky.social
1.9K followers 300 following 130 posts
Official account for the University of Nebraska at Kearney Archives and Special Collections. All things #archives, especially #HistEd
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unkarchives.bsky.social
UNK Archives @unkarchives.bsky.social · Nov 13
Welcome, new followers! We're the University of Nebraska at Kearney Archives & Special Collections. Besides institutional history, we focus on
- central and western #Nebraska
- history of education #HistEd

We also have lots from Nebraskans abroad as well as Great Plains #HistSciMed

#archives
Black and white pics of students in a library
unkarchives.bsky.social
If you're in Nebraska and looking for a fun activity this coming Sunday, February 1, join us at Kearney's World Theatre at 6pm. We're showing Race, followed by a discussion on some of its key themes. #archives #Events #Nebraska
Race with Jesse Owens. Sunday, Feb. 1, 6pm. World Theatre. Race follows Jesse Owens' rise to greatness and his challenge to Nazi ideology at the 1936 Olympics. A post-film discussion with Dr. Rachel Silverman (UNK Kinesiology & Sport Science), Dr. Lina Homberger-Cordia (sports historian), and UNK students will explore key themes. SPonsored by UNK Modern Languages & International Studies, UNK Student Engagement & Leadership, UNK CTR Library, and Humanities Nebraska
January 28, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Reposted by UNK Archives
auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.

This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.

Auschwitz took time.
A bird's-eye view of a former Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp showing a wide dirt pathway flanked by parallel rows of barbed-wire fences. Groups of visitors walk along the path, surrounded by the remnants of brick structures and barracks, now reduced to foundations. Green grass contrasts with the somber history of the site, as the path leads toward a guard tower in the distance.
January 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM
unkarchives.bsky.social
We hear that a lot of our American followers got just a little bit of winter weather. Here's a 1910s shot of the Administration Building, sporting about as much snow as we currently have. #Archives #Snow
Black and white photo of a 3 story building and small trees, all covered in snow
January 26, 2026 at 2:56 PM
unkarchives.bsky.social
138 years ago today, the Blizzard of 1888, also called the Schoolhouse Blizzard, hit #Nebraska. A fast-moving storm dropped temps from abt 30F to -40F, with high winds and powdery snow. It stranded many. Teacher Minnie Freeman's story was turned into song:
openspaces.unk.edu/spec-coll/10/ #archives
Song of the Great Blizzard : "Thirteen were saved" : or, Nebraska's fearless maid
Song based on the story of Miss Minnie Freeman, a teacher who saved 13 children during the Schoolhouse Blizzard of 1888. From the introduction: Miss Minnie Freeman, the plucky little school teacher at...
openspaces.unk.edu
January 12, 2026 at 8:38 PM
unkarchives.bsky.social
Bells are ringing. We're not sure whether the bells are supposed to be Christmas bells or wedding bells - this page is from the Arthur White/Irma Higgins album, and Arthur drew a loooooot of kissing pictures, so we're leaning towards wedding but same difference. #ArchiveAdventCalendar #Bells
Pencil sketch. Elaborate lettering reads Dear Irma, Kitchener, B.C., Canada. Sketch of bells, flowers, and feathers
December 16, 2025 at 4:25 PM
unkarchives.bsky.social
On the Great Plains, festive clothes need to be warm. We love these pics of people in their fancy, warm best. They're from a primarily-1920s photo album from a Nebraska teacher who worked in Wyoming and western Nebraska. #FestiveClothes #ArchiveAdventCalendar #fashion #archives
Smiling woman standing outside wearing a cloche hat and a dark-colored coat with a fur collar that wraps around to the sides Woman standing outside in a light-colored brimmed hat and a dark, full-length black coat and dress shoes. She's wearing a large fur collar. Sepia-toned photo of a little girl in a black wide-brimmed hat, dressy coat, and black tigths. She has a large fur collar and muff
December 12, 2025 at 4:54 PM
unkarchives.bsky.social
Despite the U.S.'s looming entry into World War II, on campus, Christmas 1941 was filled with various activities. They held a Nativity play, parties, dances, and more. If this newspaper article looks a little different, you're right! It was printed with blue ink. #ArchiveAdventCalendar #Nativity
Newspaper clipping "It was Christmas this week on the Kearney campus. Activities varied but included traditional Nativity presentations, dance, dinners and parties. Even the campus was decorated for the celebration. Photos of a Nativity set with actors, a dance, kids, and a dinner.
December 9, 2025 at 3:17 PM
unkarchives.bsky.social
Cookies are a perpetual favorite #FestiveFood. When we had home ec, the students hosted a Christmas Tea, complete with booklets of international cookie recipes. These are a few of the entries from the 1955 tea. If you make any of these, let us know how they turn out! #ArchiveAdventCalendar
International Tea. Drawing of snow people with fancy hats, printed in red on white paper Cooky Recipes from Other Lands. Class in Foreign Customs and Cookery assisted by freshman class in Meal Planning. Department of Home Economics, Vocational Arts Building, State Teachers College, Kearney, Nebraska 1955 Sand Tarts (England) 2 eggs (reserving 1 white), 2 cups sugar, 1 cup softened butter, 3 cups flour. Mix in the order given. Roll thing and cut in rounds. Brush with unbeaten egg white; sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Press a nut or raisin on the top of each tart, and bake in hot oven 10 minutes. Norwegian Anise Cookies. Short and rich. 2 and 3/4 cups sifted flour, 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup shortening, 1 teaspoon anise seed, 1 egg, 1/3 cup milk, Sesame or poppy seed. 1. Sift flour, baking powder, salt, sugar. 2. Cut in shortening with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. 3. Add anise seed. 4. Add beaten egg to milk. 5. Make a well in the fry ingredients and add egg mixture. Stir until stiff. 6. Pinch off balls of dough about 3 in. in diameter. Roll into strips about 1/4 inch in diameter. Cut in lengths about 6 inches long. 7. Twist into various shapes, such as S, etc. 8. Press gently into sesame or poppy seeds and place on cooky sheet. 9. Bake in preheated oven 375F. 15 min.
December 9, 2025 at 3:11 PM
unkarchives.bsky.social
One of our favorite items in Archives is a scrapbook with drawings Arthur White, working in British Columbia, sent to Irma Higgins here in Kearney in the 1930s. This drawing shows the imagined couple doing various activities, including ice skating. #WinterSports #ArchiveAdventCalendar #drawing #art
Three panel pencil drawing. The first says "How happy I will be when a-dancing we will go" and shows a man and a woman in formal wear dancing. The second reads "and a-skating we will go" and shows a couple in winter outdoor clothing sitting close together. The third has a ? and is a couple inside almost touching.
December 7, 2025 at 8:23 PM
unkarchives.bsky.social
One of the many symbols of the season is a tree. We love these various versions of Christmas trees, from the printed card to the handmade renditions. All are included in scrapbooks kept by unkearney.bsky.social Greek organizations and donated to Archives. #ArchiveAdventCalendar #Tree #ChristmasTree
Semi-realistic drawing of a Christmas tree with a star at the top and ornaments in warm colors Scrapbook page with a Christmas tree. All the ornaments are names. Text in alternating red and green reads: Merry Christmas from all of us! Handmade card. On a red background, a green triangle represents a tree. It is decorated with a few dots/ornaments and topped with a star
December 5, 2025 at 2:27 PM
unkarchives.bsky.social
Are YOU sick of hearing the same Christmas songs over and over? I have a solution for you: Christmas songs composed by UNK Music students in the 1920s. Are they good? Um. Well... If you record them, feel free to tag us - we'd love to hear your rendition. #ArchiveAdventCalendar #ChristmasCarol #music
Sheet music for Jolly Old Santa and Our Christmas Song, by Edna Graham
December 4, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Reposted by UNK Archives
rcpmuseum.bsky.social
The first mention of #HIV/AIDS in RCP minutes is 6 years after the first AIDS-related death in Britain. The RCPs silence helped the state take advantage of the epidemic to spread fear, introduce queerphobic policies, and cut services such as healthcare

#ExploreArchives #EYASilence
Official written documents relating to HIV/AIDS from the 1980s and 1990s
December 2, 2025 at 12:34 PM
unkarchives.bsky.social
One of our favorite sources of festive light is candles. Bernice Halbert's poem, "Candles for Christmas", contains some lovely illustrations of candles, along with the text of the poem. Plus, it's on festive green paper!
openspaces.unk.edu/spec-coll/41/
#ArchiveAdventCalendar #FestiveLights #poetry
Illustration of two candles with mistletoe and pinecones, done in red on green paper. Text: Let us light candles for Christmas; Let us set them in the windows; Let us place them on our tables; Let them shine through the tinsel; Let them burn on all our altars; Let their light fill our hearts; Let us light candles for Christmas
December 2, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Reposted by UNK Archives
merriam-webster.com
“Have Yourself A Merriam Little Christmas”

Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
December 2, 2025 at 7:18 PM
unkarchives.bsky.social
What was on the Thanksgiving menu 100 years ago? For Cyrus Black, it was Canada goose and mallard ducks. Cyrus writes, "if it doesn't wreck me, you will hear from me again some time." Spoiler: he survives and corresponds regularly w the recipient.
#Archives #NebraskaOrnithologistsUnion
#Thanksgiving
Part of a letter to Myron Swenk. We are going to have a big Canada goose, flanked by four Mallards tomorrow and if it doesn't wreck me you will hear from me again some time. Very Sincerely, Cyrus Black
November 25, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Reposted by UNK Archives
swcscl.bsky.social
Just a little humor for your Thursday!

#southwestcollection #archives #history #specialcollections
November 20, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Reposted by UNK Archives
illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson was born on this day in 1850. His best-known works include Treasure Island (1883) and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886), both of which introduced themes and tropes that persist in popular culture today.
A page from a book featuring a black-and-white illustration titled "Bell Rock Lighthouse." The illustration shows a lighthouse partially obscured by tall waves, with the light shining brightly. Below the illustration is a handwritten poem titled "Pharos Loquitor" that reads: "Far in the bosom of the deep / O'er these wild shelves my watch I keep / A Ruddy gem of changeful light / Bound on the dusky brow of Night / The Seaman bids my lustre hail / And scorns to strike his timorous sail." A group of three black-and-white illustrations titled "Progress of the Bell Rock Works." Each illustration shows a partially constructed lighthouse with workers and pulley systems on it. The last illustration is a cross-section of the nearly completed lighthouse. The end of a handwritten letter with the signature "Yours very truly, Robert Louis Stevenson." An illustration of the island from "Treasure Island."
November 13, 2025 at 4:14 PM
unkarchives.bsky.social
Shut your mouth and save your life, book title or something you were thinking in That One Meeting? As the Medical Heritage Library demonstrates, definitely book title, though we're going to have to go with, why not both?

#HistMed
archive.org/details/shut...
Shut your mouth and save your life : Catlin, George, 1796-1872 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
110 p. : 21 cm
archive.org
November 11, 2025 at 6:34 PM
unkarchives.bsky.social
Even creatures of darkness need to do their banking (undated, from "Old Photos" binder). #archives #Halloween #ArchivesCreepy
Person in a black costume and witchy mask/makeup depositing something at the bank
October 31, 2025 at 2:28 PM
unkarchives.bsky.social
Can't trust those Canadians; they say they see unicorns, with horns like ammonites.

...love you, northern neighbours!

From Travels in the Interior Parts of America : Communicating Discoveries Made in Exploring the Missouri, Red River, and Washita (1807)
#HistSci #Archives #Ammonites
A Canadian, who had been much with the Indians to the westward, speaks of a wool-bearing animal, larger than a sheep, the wool much mixed with hair, which he had seen in large flocks. He pretends also to have seen a unicorn, the single horn of which, he says, rises out of the forehead and curls back, conveying the idea of the fossil cornu ammonis
October 28, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Reposted by UNK Archives
unr-scua.bsky.social
Hey Archivists - do you have patrons interested in Western US politics and public service? We’re accepting applications for non-Nevadans to win a $5000 award to come do research in our collections!! Applications close in TWO WEEKS. Please share widely! #AskAnArchivist #PoliticalScience
October 16, 2025 at 10:10 PM
unkarchives.bsky.social
While we (pretend to) love all our collections equally, we'd love to see someone dig into the Harding family collection: archives.nebraska.edu/repositories... The letters between Callie and her friends are particularly fun. #archives #AskAnArchivist
hobohistory.bsky.social Nathan Tye, PhD @hobohistory.bsky.social · Oct 17
Which collections do you wish researchers utilized more?
October 17, 2025 at 8:44 PM
unkarchives.bsky.social
We're having a "what is time?" kind of month. Soooo although Ask an Archivist Day is done, ask us All The Questions (whenever you'd like; that's what we're here for).
#AskAnArchivist #archives
Light bulb and question marks. UNK Archives & Special Collections text treatment
October 17, 2025 at 2:41 PM
unkarchives.bsky.social
Watch out for sharks, at least if you're the Pittsburg State Gorillas in 1975! This was one of many entries in the @unkearney.bsky.social Homecoming lawn decorating competition. That year's theme: Cartoon Carnival.
#UNKHomecoming2025 #archives #Snoopy
Lawn decoration in front of the library. A shark is eating a gorilla, Snoopy is on a ship. Sign reads: put the bite on the gorillas
October 7, 2025 at 2:37 PM