University of Maryland University Archives

It's official!

Our very own green celebrity is comin' back to UMD for the 2025 commencement!!🎉🐸🎉🐸 I wonder if he can bring Miss Piggy with him....

📸 Jim Henson and (the first) Kermit, circa 1955, Philip Geraci photographs

Happy Women's History Month to Henrietta Spiegel, our oldest Terp ❤️ Not only did go back to school at 81 but she did in STYLE-- a 3.7 GPA, tailgate parties, & frat bro neighbors.

Read all about her in a new blog post: https://umdarchives.wordpress.com/2025/03/13/umd-alum-spotlight-henrietta-spiegel-our-oldest-terp/

🚨NEW EXHIBIT ALERT🚨

We're so excited to announce a mini-exhibit (curated entirely by UA student assistants, Eleena & Eleanor!) that looks at two unique lawsuits filed against the University in the 1970s by student magazine Argus & the questions they brought up about censorship, suppression, authority, & power between admin & students.

The exhibit is open in Hornbake Lobby & the Maryland Room, M-F, 10am-4pm!! 📰📖

🚨New blog post spotlighting the amazing alum, Fitzroy "Buck" Newsum, a Tuskegee Airmen & trailblazer in the fight to desegregate UMD:

UMD Alum Spotlight: Tuskegee Airman Col. Fitzroy “Buck” Newsum (Class of 1958) By: Natalie Trapuzzano “Fitzroy Newsum in flight gear inside airplane”; “Fitzroy Newsum in dress uniform”; “Fitzroy Newsum in flight gear standing next to airplane& #82…

THIS WEEK!!!! Join us on Thursday, 10/10, for a day of learning, engagement, & dialogue in the STAMP Colony Ballroom from 8:30am - 6:30pm 😊

Some amazing panels & panelists are lined up for the Living Democracy Symposium, OCTOBER 10TH!

Registration is OPEN (!!) at http://go.umd.edu/ldi-symposium

🚨New staff alert🚨

Eleanor is a 1st-yr grad student in the History & Library Science program studying late 20th century American history & Archives and Digital Curation!

As a self-described "people person," Eleanor is excited to learn more about archival reference & instruction after previously working in collections processing. They believe that archives have the potential to be accessible, welcoming, & affirmative spaces and is excited to learn more about how to make them so while working here!

Introducing the LDI keynote speakers:

On January 6, 2021, Harry Dunn was one of the brave officers who protected the country as a mob of insurrectionists attacked the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the presidential election, a frightening wake up call for our democracy. In recognition of his role in protecting the U.S. Capitol, President Biden awarded him the Presidential Citizens Medal. He recently published his New York Times bestselling memoir, Standing My Ground, and in January 2024, he announced his candidacy for Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District.
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Charles M. Blow’s columns in The New York Times, tackle hot-button issues such as social justice, racial equality, LGBTQ issues and national politics. Blow is an MSNBC political analyst and has been the anchor of PRIME with Charles Blow on the Black News Channel and a CNN commentator. Mr. Blow is the author of New York Times bestselling books "Fire Shut Up in My Bones” and “The Devil You Know.” “Fire…” has been developed into an opera, the first by a Black composer to premiere at the Metropolitan Opera. “The Devil…” has been developed into a feature-length documentary that will air later this year on HBO.

Registration is open at go.umd.edu/ldi-symposium !!

The day is getting closer & closer!!

The Living Democracy Symposium is OCTOBER 10TH & you can register at
https://www.lib.umd.edu/about/collaborations/ldi/living-democracy-symposium

Happy Latine Heritage Month!!!🎉🎉We're gonna party like it's 1999 this month with tons of events from UMD MICA😉

📸Black Explosion, Sept. 22, 1999

We got to help out with a SUPER cool exhibit as part of & the opening reception is TOMORROW NIGHT!!

In collaboration with the Department of Art History and Archaeology, we'll be celebrating the passion (& rage) that art can evoke & looking back at a 1993 public art exhibit that still echoes across campus today. Join us TOMORROW!

Introducing the Living Democracy Symposium! This 1-day event will be filled with exciting speakers & panel discussions that examine the importance of civic engagement, activism, intellectual & academic freedom, & journalism in protecting our democratic way of life.

Register at https://www.lib.umd.edu/about/collaborations/ldi/living-democracy-symposium