WSSU Archives Website Updated

Over the past couple of months there have been several changes that occurred to the WSSU Archives Homepage.  I welcome you to visit the new website and encourage any suggestions for it.  WSSU Archives

The biggest change was to the Manuscript Collection.  The new title of the link is University Records & Manuscript Collection.  The Archives holdings are divided into three headings: University Records, Manuscript Collections, and Photograph Collections.  Each of the three sections contains some updated finding aids or new collections that were recently processed.  Below are a list of the most recent updates.

University Records:
RG 1.2 - Simon G. Atkins Collection  Although the finding aid is the same, it is the first use of Archivists' Toolkit by the WSSU Archives.  We are continuing to populate Archivists' Toolkit and look to move as many of our finding aids over to the software.

RG 1.2 - Francis L. Atkins Collection

Manuscript Collections:
MC 2 - C.E. Gaines/Clint Johnson Collection  This collection contains material related to their work on the book "They Call me Big House"

Photograph Collections:
Two different photograph collections were created.  One contains photographs related to the coaching and athletic directing career of C.E. Gaines.  The second one contains general photographs of the and for WSSU.
RG 8.1 - C.E. Gaines Photograph Collection
RG 8.2 - General Photograph Collection

Camera 'Flash' Back

I couldn't resist with the title.  The other day while taking photographs of the Archives to document some of the changes that have occurred, we thought it would be fun to photograph some of the cameras from our collection.  Although I doubt any of the cameras still work, it was interesting looking at the digital camera we were using and realizing that it will, one day, be obsolete like the cameras we were photographing.  Here are a couple of shot taken of the WSSU Camera Collection.

"Mr. Ram & Miss WSSU: a visual history"

The Archives is proud to announce the completion of its latest exhibit, "Mr. Ram & Miss WSSU: a visual history."  As the time quickly approaches for the election of the new Mr. Ram and Miss WSSU, the Archives wanted to show a glimpse into the history of the competition.  The exhibit contains several photographs documenting events in the process of electing Mr. Ram and Miss WSSU, including coronation ceremonies and presentations at football games.  The photographs range in date from 1945-1991.  Also incorporated into the exhibit is the 1935 WSTC yearbook open to the photo of Miss WSTC 1935, Hazel Bingham.  The exhibit shows some WSSU memorabilia as well as the October 1965 News Argus article about the Miss WSSU winner.

Below is an image from the exhibit of Miss WSSU 1971-1972.

Basketball Legacy Weekend Leads to Mass Photo Identification Project

On the weekend of January 21st and 22nd, WSSU honored several of its alumni basketball players during “Basketball Legacy Weekend”. On Friday the 21st, the Department of Athletics held a legacy basketball game. The WSSU Archives took the opportunity to set up a photo identification table in the lobby of the Gaines Center.


As the C.E. Gaines collection is being re-processed, it became apparent that many of the images in the collection were unidentified. These images were scanned and printed on paper and included in a binder based on the type of image it was. The images were broken down into six categories. The images fit into one of the following categories, Male or Female and then Action Shots, Individual Portraits, and Team Shots.

The copies of the images were then brought to the legacy game to allow students, staff, families, and former players to view. They were asked to identify, on the images, any information they could remember, whether it be a date, player, or game. The identifications are now being verified by the WSSU Archives using yearbooks and other material.

The process was a great success and as a result we now have a collection of images that are largely identified.

Below is an example of the success of the project. Thanks to the help of several former players, we were able to identify all three WSSU players in the photo quickly and efficiently.

Sunny Riggell (#13), Joe Cunningham (#25), and Willis Bennett (#45)

Snowy View of Old Atkins Hall c.1975

Due to the weather calling for snow in the Winston Salem area today and tomorrow, I thought it might be nice to post an image of WSSU during a previous snow storm.  The photo below is a view of Old Atkins Hall c.1975.  Old Atkins Hall was built in 1915 and served as a dormitory for women.  For more on the building please follow the link below the photograph.

History of Old Atkins Hall

I-pad Aids Preservation

The WSSU Archives is working on a project to assist with both access and preservation of documents related to the early history of the University. This project entails the careful scanning of documents that are in danger of deterioration. These documents were scanned and attached to a metadata form so that the context of the document is not lost. These scans are then uploaded to the Archives I-pad so that researchers can still gain access to them without risking any further damage. The documents are still housed with the rest of the collection but are secluded for preservation. The metadata form was printed and included where the document was so that a researcher knows about the shift and we maintain original order. The goal of the project is to continue the preservation of the collection but also maintain a high level of access to the records.

Below is an example of the finished product.

Maya Angelou Collection Headed to the Schomburg Center in Harlem, NY

Maya Angelou’s papers were acquired by the Schomburg Center in Harlem, NY. Maya Angelou who has been a frequent speaker on the WSSU campus was a part of a deal that will send the large collection to Harlem, NY. For more details on the contents of the collection please read the NY Times article linked below.

Schomburg Center Acquires Maya Angelou Archive