-
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
- Gina L on Simpler Speling
- Autumn McLain on Senior Art Shows
- valerieholmesauthor on English Paneling
Category Archives: Artifacts
Cigarette Cards
In the early 1900s, small leather or paper cards were gifts in cigarette packages. This came from the increasing popularity and competition of cigarette sales. Including a prize enticed buyers and interested collectors would try to obtain all the cards … Continue reading
Posted in Artifacts
Comments Off on Cigarette Cards
Writing Desks
In the Victorian era (1837 – 1901) one invention became incredibly popular due to its practicality and convenience: the portable writing desk. These desks were like briefcases, wooden boxes often with a handle and lock, that opened to create a … Continue reading
Posted in Artifacts
Tagged Alexander Burdick, Early travel, William Kenyon, Writing
Comments Off on Writing Desks
Early Fans
An interesting object in the collection is this folding fan made from wood and paper. On the front of the fan, a bundle of red flowers is painted. Fans of this sort were invented in Japan somewhere from the 6th … Continue reading
Glass Plate Negatives
A glass plate negative photograph is created by spreading emulsion on a glass plate. Light is focused through a lens onto that material creating the negative image which is then developed to create the photograph. This photography method was invented … Continue reading
Horn Books
Hornbooks were a teaching tool for children going back to the 1400’s. They often featured the letters of the alphabet as well as small prayers for children to read. This hornbook, part of the Alfred Historical Society collection, is a … Continue reading
Early Microtome
Biology professor Era Scofield discovered this 1910 microtome under the eaves in the attic of Agricultural Hall when it was being torn down in the early 1970s. This device (and more complex versions used today) are used to cut microscopically … Continue reading
Posted in Artifacts
Comments Off on Early Microtome
Captain Horatio Wood
Horatio Wood was born in Butler, Wayne County, New York on August 23, 1869. In the late 1890s, as a member of the Coast Guard, he became captain of the U.S. Cutter “Bear” that patrolled Alaskan waters helping commercial fishing … Continue reading
Senior Art Shows
As we near yet another end of the academic year, senior art students are busily preparing for their final public exhibitions. This showing of art is heavily attended and looked forward to by many as a “must attend” event. (This … Continue reading
Orophilian Lyceum
This beautiful Seth Thomas clock (patented in 1876) once belonged to the Orophilian Lyceum at Alfred University. Organized in September, 1850, the group was one of four student literary lyceums on campus for over six decades. Each lyceum had a … Continue reading
Posted in Artifacts, Campus Buildings, Student Life
Tagged Alumni Hall, Clocks, Lyceums
Comments Off on Orophilian Lyceum