Category Archives: People

Early University Campus

This beautiful oil painting depicts the University campus, looking east, circa 1865. It’s attributed to Hannah P. Brown, an Alfred University student at that time. The image includes, from the left, the Alfred Seventh Day Baptist Church, North Hall (men’s … Continue reading

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Sojourner Truth

  Sojourner Truth is an important and interesting historic figure in the history of New York State and the United States. Born Isabella Baumfree, she spent the first 29 years of her life as a slave in the Hudson Valley … Continue reading

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Mark Twain Engraving

The Howells-Frechette Collection at Alfred University is an extensive collection of letters and memorabilia from aremarkable family. The material details the social, literary, artistic, and political life in the 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States and Canada … Continue reading

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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

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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

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Alfred Heights

If you’re ever traveling along Lake Erie, you might be interested in cruising through Silver Creek, NY to check out Alfred Heights. Developed in 1958 by Dr. Cewsme Barresi, Class of 1921, the development literally has Alfred written all over … Continue reading

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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

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Radiotelegram

Long before email and cellphones, people were able to communicate wirelessly over long distances. This radiotelegram was sent April 1, 1929 to Evelyn Openhym, AU1923, by her husband George. Evelyn was on the Cunard Line steamship, Berengaria. The message says … Continue reading

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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

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Ration Books

Ration books. Not something we’re familiar with today. But certainly for anyone living around the time of certain wars, like World War II, the concept of only being allowed to purchase certain items on certain days, and in limited quantities, … Continue reading

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