Special Collections, Musselman Library, Gettysburg College

Happy National Donut Day! Since we cannot have food in our Reading Room, how about this 20th-century doughnut-shaped lacquer wood box designed to hold a Chao Zhu (Court or Mandarin necklace), an essential element of the Qing dynasty Court clothing uniform. This piece is decorated with a dragon and flowers and part of Dr. Frank Kramer's Asian Art Collection.

https://gettdigital.gettysburg.edu/Documents/Detail/circular-lacquer-jewelry-box/118138

Happy Reunion! We have to sit this one out due to some amazing improvements happening inside Special Collections, but we'll be back welcoming alumni next year. In the meantime visit the main floor of Musselman Library to learn about archeological digs on campus and follow the signs around campus for Under the Bleachers: Stories of Gettysburg College Athletics a student-created walking tour and online exhibit.🔶🔷 🔶🔷

Today we honor Ron Couchman, Class of 1963. Ron has served Gettysburg College in many ways: classmate, admissions counselor, long-time College Registrar, committee member, donor, loyal alumnus, but we know him best as Special Collections Assistant. In this role, Ron has greeted visitors, assisted with classes, poured over research projects, kept track of accessions, processed manuscript collections, hosted Reunion events, welcomed prospective students & parents, shifted books & boxes, and provided institutional and personal memory. Ron has made our department run more smoothly, saved us countless research hours, spotted us on ladders, and held every door. Every student, researcher, intern, and employee of Special Collections is better for having Ron on our team. We wish him the best in retirement.

Congratulations to all of our interns from the AMAZING Class of 2026! We cannot wait to see what you do next! 🔶🔷

Ava Prickman, Class of 2028, and Amos Taylor, Class of 1915, may have attended Gettysburg College over 100 years apart, but their stories came together through class work in the archives. This semester, Ava created a short documentary about Taylor. Enjoy her movie "Make Every Minute Count: Amos Taylor's Gettysburg College" on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jSnATgOmHw8

On campus? Follow our 8 stop walking tour "Under the Bleachers: Stories of Gettysburg College Athletics. Look for the black plaques near Plank Gym, Weidensall, Musselman Library, and even Brua!

Under the Bleachers was curated by 2026 Glatfelter Intern, Jocelyn Duquette, Class of 2027. 🔶🔷⚾🏈⚽🥍🏑🏀🏊🏽‍♂️👟

Congratulations to 2025-2026 Tricia Smelter '71 Intern, Riley Yorke, Class of 2026 for the successful opening of her exhibit "Fraktur-ing the Family: The Printed Art of the Pennsylvania Germans." We are so lucky to have amazing students can put the finishing touches on an exhibit during finals week! 🔶🔷💪

Thank you to Tricia Smelter, the Innovation and Creativity Lab, and the Campus Print Shop for helping to make Riley's vision become reality.

Exhibit opening TOMORROW!
Thursday, May 7, 4:30-5:30
Special Collections, 4th floor Musselman Library
Free and open to the public

Welcome Musselman Library Staff! Last week we showed off the newly relocated and expanded Marion L. Hobor Bookbindery and Paper Conservation Laboratory to our library colleagues.

She really did dunk a book in a pan of water! And the crowd loved it 👏📖💧