Category Archives: Artifacts

Celadon Terra Cotta Company

During the 1880’s, it was discovered that the clay in the vicinity of Alfred, NY could be used to make quality terra cotta products. In 1889 the Celadon Terra Cotta Company was organized by a small group of Alfred entrepreneurs … Continue reading

Posted in Artifacts, Campus Buildings | Comments Off on Celadon Terra Cotta Company

The Allen Family

Alfred University often extols Abigail and Jonathan Allen’s early dedication to the institution and to their stances on equality for all. But not often is their more private family life brought to light. Not only were they revered public figures, … Continue reading

Posted in Artifacts, People, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The Allen Family

Peruvian Pots

  These pots were donated to the University by Edna Jane Wyeth, Class of 1946. She was an intrepid traveler and was part of an excavation team in 1959 that uncovered these relics from the coastal area near Lima, Peru. … Continue reading

Posted in Artifacts | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Peruvian Pots

Ida Kenyon

This rocking chair once belonged to Ida Sallan Kenyon.. “Frau” Kenyon, as she was known, was born in Prussia in 1830. At an early age she lost her parents and siblings and moved in with her aunt. Due to political … Continue reading

Posted in Artifacts, People | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Ida Kenyon

Rogers Observatory

  “At Alfred’s birth [1836], the universe was a far different place. It was centered on the Solar System and its then-seven planets, and the surrounding galaxies of stars. The first accurate measurement of a stellar distance had not even … Continue reading

Posted in Artifacts, Campus Buildings, People | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Rogers Observatory

Emergency Collegiate Centers

The Great Depression of the 1930s certainly created financial strain for many universities and colleges but was also responsible for a development in higher education called the Emergency Collegiate Centers. Teachers across the country were out of work and students … Continue reading

Posted in Artifacts | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Emergency Collegiate Centers

Salt cellars

Here’s a few more items from bygone days: salt cellars. Today we’re used to reaching for the salt shaker, knowing that salt is cheap and readily available. The history of salt can be an interesting way to learn about our … Continue reading

Posted in Artifacts, Memorabilia, Special Collections | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Salt cellars

Saddle

This hand-tooled saddle belonged to Boothe Colwell Davis, fourth president of Alfred University (1895-1933). It was given to him by his father, probably in 1884. He used it to travel to Alfred from his home in West Virginia when he … Continue reading

Posted in Artifacts, People | Tagged | Comments Off on Saddle

Cigarette card "quilt"

Most of us are familiar with the concept of collecting baseball cards, but how many would think that at one time folks used to collect various “cards” from cigarette packages? Cigarette companies used them as a form of marketing, much … Continue reading

Posted in Artifacts, Special Collections | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Cigarette card "quilt"

Stone Pipe

This stone pipe was collected from the Cornplanter/Kinzua Region of Warren County, PA (which is now underwater at the Allegheny Reservoir, north of the Kinzua Dam). Cornplanter (1750-1836) was a prominent Seneca chief. The pipe was donated to the University … Continue reading

Posted in Artifacts, Special Collections | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Stone Pipe