College of the Holy Cross - Archives & Special Collections

The Main Event
The Virgin and Child Shrine Old Masters: Copies and Catholic Culture at Holy Cross illustrates the role of the Renaissance copy in 19th and early 20th century America. During this period, new Catholic immigrants displayed copies of Renaissance masterpieces, such as those seen in this exhibit, as a response to cultural alienation and ethnic discrimination. This exhibit was curated by Mallory Zeising, Visual Arts major, class of 2007. Visitors may see the exhibit on the second floor of Dinand Library during normal library hours.

The Opening Act

Mexican Figurines and Pottery: Pre-Columbian 1800 BC-1500 AD features objects drawn from a collection of Pre-Columbian objects that was gathered at a dig by Mr. and Mrs. Nixon L. Unger in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. It was donated to Holy Cross in 1971. Ms. Marita Unger stated that she was truly happy to know that the collection is where it can be studied. There are fifty-one different items in the Nixon L. Unger collection. Twenty-seven items are figures or pottery with human heads. Pre-Columbian artifacts are characterized by three-dimensional ceramics decorated with angular, linear patterns. Most of them were found in tombs as these items were to be used to equip the society's leaders for the afterlife. Death was considered a transition and journey into another realm for the cultures in Pre-Columbian time. This exhibit was curated by Luiza Mouzinho, Class of 2012 and can be seen in Dinand Library’s Main Reading Room during normal library hours.

Chesterton at Holy Cross. On March 25, 2010 the Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture (CREC) will be hosting a lecture entitled “Chesterton in America and Holy Cross.” In conjunction with this lecture the College of the Holy Cross Department of Archives and Special Collections has mounted an exhibit entitled Chesterton at Holy Cross. On December 9, 1930 famed British writer, critic and artist Gilbert Keith Chesterton visited Holy Cross while on his second tour of the United States. During his visit Chesterton was greeted on the Dinand Library steps by seven students dressed in replica wardrobes of literary figures from the past. Speaking in front of the entire college on a frigid afternoon Chesterton delivered a speech and was adopted as an “Honorary Crusader” by the student body. Following the speech Chesterton planted a white cedar tree in front of O’Kane, since known as the “Chesterton Tree.” This exhibit includes photographs of Chesterton’s visit and rare editions of Chesterton’s books drawn from Holy Cross’s archives and special collections. Co-curated by Robert Dornfried, class of 2011 and Rebecca Camargo, class of 2012 it can be viewed in the Library’s Main Reading Room during normal library hours.. In addition, the original news reel of Chesterton’s visit can be viewed on You Tube.

The Entr'acte

Shadowbrook: Historia Domus traces the history of the two buildings known as Shadowbrook, using photographs and other materials from the Province Archives collection. Located in Lenox, Mass., Shadowbrook, built in 1893, was first an estate mansion house and then a house of formation for the Jesuits. It was consumed in a tragic fire on March 10, 1956, taking the lives of four Jesuits. The Jesuits quickly built a new building, also called Shadowbrook, that served them until 1970. It was sold in 1983. The exhibit is curated by Alice Howe, Curator of Collections for the New England Jesuit Province Archives. It can be viewed in the College Archives Reading Room, 3rd floor, Dinand Library, 8:30-4:30, Monday thru Friday.

Holy Cross Memory Plates showcases the College of the Holy Cross' Wedgewood China set and the photographs that inspired the images. Including such familiar scenes as Fenwick Hall, Dinand Library and St. Joseph Chapel, the plates were sold in sets of 12 for $12 in 1931. They were produced in royal purple, the official college color. In 1933 the alumni purchased 1000 of the plates to be used by the students in Kimball Dining Hall. Curated by Sarah Campbell, Assistant Archivist and Susan Selby, Archival Assistant, this exhibit can be viewed in the College Archives Reading Room, 3rd floor, Dinand Library, 8:30-4:30, Monday thru Friday.

Wanted: Guest Curators
Do you have a book collection or an interest in a subject which you find fascinating? Would you be willing to share your interest with others through an exhibit in the Library's Main Reading Room? If so, please contact Mark Savolis, the College Archivist at msavolis@holycross.edu.