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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

It's National Archives Month! Follow this thread for a series of tips, tricks, and trivia about our team here at UNR Special Collections and University Archives this month.

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

#OnThisDay in 1920, US Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby certified the ratification of the 19th Amendment, forbidding gender-based voting restrictions. This 1914 photo by F. P. Dann shows a pro-suffrage float in Reno.

Photograph of women's suffrage advocates on a horse-drawn parade float.

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History:Nevada @historynevada.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I found a short narrated video, less than a minute, on the fatal City of San Francisco streamliner derailment on Aug 12, 1939 in northern Nevada. Screenshot attached. VID: bit.ly/2nDGqMt Note: Worth a listen for the classic narrator tone and ominous soundtrack.

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

New exhibit alert! Now on display until mid-November, “A Few of Our Favorite Things: 65 Years of Special Collections and University Archives.” Each wall and case showcases a staff member’s selection of favorite collections or collection items in celebration of our anniversary.

“Pippa Passes” by Robert Browning, with olive green fabric binding stamped with gilt floral design.

Medieval manuscript page with music written on it in black and red ink.

Black and white photo of a cat wearing a pointy hat and fringed paper ruff, posed with a small accordion.

A line of girls kneeling on a log on a beach, practicing canoe paddling.

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Jumping on that Odyssey bandwagon with our beautiful 1541 edition of the Iliad and Odyssey in Greek with Greek commentary. Want to come take a look yourself? The call number is PA4018 .A3 1541. #Odyssey #Homer #RareBooks

First page of The Odyssey. The capitals are decorated and smaller commentary text surrounds the poetry.

Pale leather binding with elaborate blind tooling in rectangular rings. Green stains mark where clasps used to be.

Title page in Latin and Greek, with handwritten Latin annotation on facing page.

Internal title page for The Odyssey in Latin and Greek.

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

#OnThisDay in 1947, this is what the intersection of Pyramid Way and B Street (now Victorian Avenue) looked like in Sparks! Things have changed a little, haven’t they? The photo was taken by @nevadadot and is part of a larger series. Photo ID: UNRS-P1988-35-01 #SparksNV #LincolnHighway #Nevada

Black and white image of a four-lane road with angled cars parked along each side. A sign for “Jake’s Club” is legible on the left.

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Buckinghamshire Archives @bucksarchives.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

"This document is too tough to read! I need to get an AI to transcribe it" - foolish, decadent, a researcher unaware of the fragile beauty of the past "This tome is incomprehensible to me for now. I must study the ancient languages to learn its arcane secrets" - a wizened sage, their third eye open

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Y’all. Y’ALL. Are you sitting down, because this is one of the coolest things we’ve done in a WHILE, thanks to collaboration with the Digital Media team and our fearless metadata experts. We have two cuneiform tablets in our vault, both between 3,000 and 4,000 years old.

unr.dgicloud.com

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Sometimes a photo in the archives provides an unexpected sense of perspective. This photo shows University President Joseph Stubbs with the 1913 summer school staff. This summer, hundreds of faculty and staff are in the middle of running more than 1,000 classes. #FromTheArchives #AcademicSky

Black and white photo of eight men and women, nicely dressed and posed around a table. They are all looking directly into the camera.

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

We're closed tomorrow in observance of the Fourth of July and America 250. Here's a peek into how the Vanderleith Family spent July 1901 - what appears to be a dance card pasted into the Vanderleith Family Scrapbook. Read more and view the scrapbook here: archive.library.unr.edu/public/repos...

A close-up of a page from a scrapbook showing a card tied with white ribbon and two United Stated flags. It is possibly a dance card.

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

SCUA research alert! Director Kimberly Anderson, PhD, joins forces with Data Librarian Carlos Ramirez-Reyes, PhD, to present at the @saa-official.bsky.social research forum on digitizing historical bird observation data! July 8: click the "RSVP" link to sign up - www2.archivists.org/am2026/resea...

www2.archivists.org

2026 Research Forum Agenda | Society of American Archivists

Society of American Archivists

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Lucius Beebe and Mr. T-Bone Towser would like you to know that a new exhibit is coming in about a month, so you should visit our current one on student cartoonists while you can! In this heat, it’s a lovely air-conditioned activity. Photo ID: UNRS-P1993-53/12. #Archives #Exhibits #VirginiaCityNevada

A white-gloved hand holds a black and white photo of a seated man in a dark suit and hat posed holding a copy of the Virginia City “Territorial Enterprise” newspaper. Next to him sits a massive St. Bernard dog.

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

We’re hoping our extended Wolf Pack network can help us out! We know these women were University of Nevada students, dressed to attend a campus football game around 1904, but we don’t know their names. Does anyone recognize these faces? #CrowdSourcing #OldPhotos #Archives #HelpUs #HaveYouSeenMe

Black and white cutout of two women in informal Edwardian clothing, including sweaters with large capital Ns appliquéd to the front.

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

RIP Jane Yolen, a formative author for many of us in the library and archives fields.

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History:Nevada @historynevada.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

University of Nevada Reno Special Collections has a photo of Harry Swanson holding an 18lb black speckled trout caught at Pyramid Lake on Jun 12, 1932. Swanson was a lawyer in Reno, partnered with his son Harry Jr as Swanson & Swanson for a time. t.co/zNxYSGsoDF

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Two reminders! 1. Due to helping staff the University Libraries’ booth at the State Fair this weekend, our reading room is closed on Friday, June 12. 2. High school graduations are taking place on campus the next few days - parking will be complicated!

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Sometimes you find things in the archives that clearly have a backstory, and you have no idea what it might be. Like this weirdly combative book inscription: "Ernest Leaverton - And so you have to go afar off to another country to help someone? Do you? - July 1910"

Green endpapers with handwritten note: Ernest Leaverton - And so you have to go afar off to another country to help someone? Do you? July 1910

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BuffaloResearch.com @buffaloresearch.com · 30/04/2026

Yep. When you digitize old stuff, you now have to look after the original artifact *and* it's digital surrogate. "Just put everything online" is not the labor-saving flex laypeople think it is.

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History:Nevada @historynevada.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Meanwhile in Henderson, NV, the Basic High School Lobo News asked students what was the meanest thing they ever did and printed a list in the Apr 6, 1950 edition of the school paper. I have some concerns about Bonnie Jenkins. t.co/25TH4gnio7

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

This week, on Thursday, April 9, the Pack comes together for Giving Day. Every gift given helps students, faculty, and our Libraries & University communities thrive. Please consider the Libraries this Thursday! Make a difference and support what matters most to you! unr.imodules.com/s/1949/cf21/...

unr.imodules.com

University Libraries

The University of Nevada, Reno's giving platform for the University Libraries

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

How about some end-of-the-week endpapers? Lovely marbled pieces in this 1797 folio of John Milton’s works. Not a contemporary binding (that red spot is a binder’s ticket from Minneapolis) but it sure is pleasing to the eye.

Shiny paper with deep green marbling pattern resembling fluffy leaves. A round red sticker about the size of a quarter is in the upper right corner.

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

I have plenty of *questions* but no answers. From the Hugh A. Shamberger Papers, NC1333. Anyone have thoughts? The photo is unlabeled in a batch to do with Goldfield, NV.

Black and white photo of a rural settlement. Two women in early 20th century clothes and massive hats stand on a large sign reading “The world moves and so does pickle.”

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

We send out condolences to the family and friends of Sue Wagner - we are honored to house her papers here in the archives.

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

We’ve seen frankenbooks before but a photograph stitched back together is a new one for us. Any #GLAMS folks or #Skybrarians seen something like this before? We all momentarily thought it was a tree before looking closer! Photo number UNRS-P2004-17-15

Black and white photo mounted on dark cardboard, split through top to bottom, about a quarter of the way in from the left side. The split has been partially stabilized with a few stitches toward the top of the images.

Back of photo, showing repair with stitching and what appears to be a floral bookmark adhered to the cardboard.

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Combing through the entire print run of the student newspaper for an upcoming exhibit and learning odd bits of trivia about the university: a thread. 1. When the university shifted from being the Sagebrushers, before we were the Wolf Pack, one of the suggestions was “the Sour Doughs.” More to come.

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HMML @visithmml.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

From 1973 to 1994, the Ethiopian Manuscript Microfilm Library (EMML) project photographed 9,000+ manuscripts in Ethiopia. The microfilm copies sent to HMML are now fully available online—digitized over the past 20 years. Wayne Torborg tells the story behind this milestone: bit.ly/4bslCAH

A reel of EMML microfilm containing photographs of a 13th-century manuscript (EMML 1832) in the collection of Ḥayq Esṭifānos Monastery in Wallo Province, Ethiopia.

A close-up view of a miniature opening the Gospel of Luke, digitized from the same microfilm copy (image 1) of the manuscript (EMML 1832).

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History:Nevada @historynevada.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

The Nevada Legislature ratified the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, which would give citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States” including freed Black slaves. on Jan 22, 1867. The 28th of 37 states ratified it in Jul 1868. bit.ly/3sQMktW

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

The ways the sciences are interacting with archives and rare books collections are so cool! Hopefully one day we’ll finagle our way into some of the hard sciences curricula!

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

“The Man on the Bicycle” came to us in 2024. It celebrates the life and art collection of Greg Nelson, a committed patron of arts and education. After his passing, the Greg Nelson-Warren Nelson Family provided a generous donation to refurbish a room in the KC as an archives classroom.

White, shiny booklet cover with black text and a color photo of a tanned man on a red bicycle. He is wearing a matching red shirt and stands next to a white pickup truck covered in colorful polka dots.

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

On this day in 1950: Virginia and Truckee Railroad Locomotive No. 5 with plow standing opposite the Virginia and Truckee engine house and turntable in Reno. ID UNRS-P1987-23-3554. #railroad #VirginiaAndTruckeeRailroad #TrainPlow #OldPhotos

Black and white photo of stopped train with a plow blade ahead of it. Though snow on the ground doesn’t look very deep, the blade is nearly covered in snow.

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Something about the cane placement looks really uncomfortable.

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Jason W. Dean @jasonwdean.com · 13/01/2026

🚨JOB KLAXON🚨 we're seeking a Curator of African American Experience colls here at KU! GREAT colls & colleagues, tenure track, unionized, salary $61,000-$68,000. Not on the committee, but would be a colleague! More info at link!📜 #bookhistory #booksky #libsky #rarebooks rbms.info/blog/news-ev...

rbms.info

Position Announcement: Curator of African American Experience Collections, University of Kansas

Position Overview Kenneth Spencer Research Library (KSRL) at the University of Kansas (KU) Libraries seeks a creative and collaborative curator for our established and growing African American Expe…

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Some teasers for 2026 here in SCUA! Three exhibits, covering cartoons in the student newspaper, staff favorites, and Harry Reid. And speaking of the Senator, the physical part of his papers opens in the autumn! It'll be a whole Reidapalooza. Stay tuned.

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Check these out! Most are British, but not all. And all are doing cool things. #GLAMS

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

One more week before spring semester begins - the winter break always goes by so fast! All those projects we ambitiously planned to finish...

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

It’s the last day of Fall Semester 2025! We did it! We’re wishing our campus community a happy, rejuvenating, and safe winter break. Photo: Winter scene at Donner Summit, 1940s. Nevada Photo Service, James Herz Papers. Photo ID UNRS-P1992-01-7554. #DonnerPass #SnowyRoad #OldPhotos #Archives

Black and white photo of a road hemmed in by towering snowbanks. An old-fashioned car is driving away in the distance.

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

We are inspired and would like to challenge our users to find cool hats and accessories in the archives.

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

A new exhibit is going up on the third floor of the Knowledge Center! “New Acquisitions, 2020-2025” is a sampler platter of materials that have come to us since the start of 2020. It will be on display until the end of March - take a break from winter chill and come take a look!

Exhibit poster with title, dates, and location, plus the exhibit description. The image is a slightly sepia-toned black and white image of early 20th century workmen building a portion of the Truckee Canal.

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University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

A warning from the past: if there is anything you would like to preserve long-term in good condition, please don't stick tape on it! As tape deteriorates, it can discolour, become brittle, lose its adhesive strength, and leave a residue stain. Enough to give an archivist nightmares! 👻

A pile of discoloured tape strips on the right, next to a piece of paper on the left with an orange residue stain.

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

The physical portion of his senatorial papers opens for public research in less than a year! We’re already planning the exhibit.

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

🚨Last call to see the current exhibit! “Stage Craft: Reno Little Theater at 90” closes November 24! Come check us out on the 3rd floor of the Knowledge Center before then - this is a fun one, you don’t want to miss it. #archives

Color-tinted portrait photograph of a woman in full Elizabeth I costume.

Black and white photo of a man being fitted for a medieval robe costume, mounted on light avocado-green matboard. The man is accompanied by two costumers and a stagehand moving furniture.

Watercolor sketch of a courtyard set design, for a production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Hey #AcademicSky, how have you/your classes made use of your local archives recently? It's Friday and we're feeling chatty! #GLAMS #ArchivesLife

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UNR Special Collections and University Archives @unr-scua.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

It’s spooky season! Have you thought of exploring our witchy books? Mostly about witch trials, identification, etc., rather than spells, we have books going back to the 16th century on the topic. Super cool stuff!

Title page: An History of Magic, Witchcraft, and Animal Magnetism, volume 1. J. C. Colquhoun, 1851.

Title page: An Examen of Witches, translated from 17th century French original. John Rodker, 1929.

Title Page: The Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft. John Webster, 1677.

Title page: A Blow at Modern Sadducism. 1668.

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