Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140
RS 0/11/6
Iowa State University
Centennial Celebration Collection, 1955-1959
Descriptive summary
creator: |
Iowa State University |
title: |
Centennial Celebration Collection |
dates: |
1955-1959 |
extent: |
6.04 linear feet (7 document boxes, 5 card boxes, 1 oversized box) |
collection number: |
RS 0/11/6 |
repository: |
University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University. |
Administrative information
access: |
Open for research |
publication rights: |
Consult Head, Special Collections Department |
preferred citation: |
Iowa State University Centennial Celebration Collection, RS 0/11/6, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library. |
Historical note
In 1958, Iowa State College (University) celebrated the centennial of the founding of the college, which occurred on March 22, 1858, when the charter act establishing a state agricultural college became law. In 1955, James Hilton, president of Iowa State, appointed a committee to oversee the celebration. In honor of this event, the college produced a film, Democracy's College; a book, the Land-Grant Idea at Iowa State College; and several booklets, including "Chronology of Important Events of the First 100 Years" and "Iowa and the New Education . . . the Story of Iowa State College." The college also broadcasted radio programs highlighting the college and televised some of the celebration activities. The college held several events to celebrate its centennial; the three largest observances included a Founder's Day Celebration, the centennial VEISHEA, and the centennial commencement. The first of the celebrations was Founder's Day, which was held on March 22, 1958 to commemorate the day when the governor of Iowa signed the act establishing the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm (Iowa State University). The day began with a processional where faculty, alumni, and honored guests in academic attire walked from the Electrical Engineering Building to the Armory for the convocation. At the convocation, Herschel C. Loveless (Governor of State of Iowa), Harry H. Hageman (President of the Iowa State Board of Regents), James L. Morrill (President of the University of Minnesota), and James Hilton provided speeches. The college conferred 11 honorary degrees to alumni and distinguished guests. Approximately 1200 people attended the convocation. A luncheon was served following the convocation, where James Jensen (Provost of Iowa State College), Virgil Hancher (President of the University of Iowa) and James Hilton addressed the 600 invited guests. Founder's Day was immediately followed by a three-day symposia where six prominent scientists of the day came to campus to talk on subjects related to major programs at Iowa State. Speakers included William G. Pollard (Director of the Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies), Celia Payne-Goposchkin (Professor of Astronomy at Harvard University), and Shields Warren (Professor of Pathology at the Harvard Medical School). "VEISHEA presents the century" was the theme for the 1958 VEISHEA. Filled with the usual VEISHEA activities (open houses, the parade, Stars Over VEISHEA, and canoe races), the celebration focused on Iowa State's 100th anniversary. The parade floats featured social and technological advancements from 1858 to 1958 and the open houses reviewed the progress made at Iowa State in its first 100 years. The Stars Over VEISHEA production was an original musical created for the centennial. This musical, "Starways," portrays a series of reminiscences reflecting college life during Iowa State's first 100 years. The last of the centennial celebrations, the commencement and Alumni Days were held June 13 – 14, 1958. The festivities consisted of a graduation ceremony for over 1000 students, a senior prom, and an all alumni centennial luncheon. At the commencement ceremonies, four faculty members were presented with honorary Doctor of Science degrees for their service to Iowa State. The recipients were Charles Friley (president emeritus), Florence Fallgetter (head of the Department of Home Economics Education), R.K. Bliss (former director of the Agricultural Extension Service), and H.D. Bergman (dean emeritus of the Division of Veterinary Medicine). Edwin G. Nourse (former professor of agricultural economics at Iowa State and nationally known economist) was also presented with an honorary Doctor of Science degree. 150 other awards and honors were presented to alumni, faculty, and friends of Iowa State at the alumni centennial luncheon. The Class of 1958 entombed a time capsule in a granite bench (also a gift of the Class of 1958). The capsule contains a 1958 Bomb (Iowa State's yearbook), a print of Democracy's College, VEISHEA program, a copy of the Green Gander (Iowa State's humor magazine), a copy of the Iowa State Daily (campus newspaper), and a prophecy written by Jerry Landman (president of the Class of 1958). The time capsule is to be opened by the senior class president of 2058. |
Collection description
The collection consists of the records of the centennial committee and its sub-committees, including correspondence, meeting minutes, and reports. The records also include clippings from newspapers and magazines that featured articles about the centennial celebration. In addition, there are copies of the brochures and booklets produced for the event and copies of speeches given at the centennial activities. The collection also contains the film (1 16 mm film and 1 VHS tape), film clips (6 16 mm films), script and other materials relating to the centennial film, Democracy's College. The records include a scrapbook compiled by Roberta Fritchman (secretary to the president), which contains notes, correspondence and other materials documenting the centennial committee's efforts. |
Organization
The collection is arranged in alphabetical order. The films are housed in the Iowa State University Film Collection and the artifacts are in the artifact collection. |
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
FILM |
K-2858 |
"100 year birthday party for ISC" – WOI broadcast (16 mm film) |
1958 |
1 |
1 |
100th anniversary of choosing a location for Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm (Iowa State University) |
1959 |
1 |
2 |
"1858-1958: Iowa State College Centennial" |
ca 1958 |
1 |
3 |
Alumni recognition luncheon |
1958 |
1 |
4 |
Attendance for centennial events |
1958 |
1 |
5 |
"Bibliography for general histories of ISC" |
ca 1958 |
1 |
6 |
Brochures and booklets |
1958 |
1 |
7 |
Centennial audio-visual materials listing |
1958 |
1 |
8 |
Centennial book award |
1959 |
1 |
9 |
Centennial booklet manuscript |
1958 |
1 |
10 |
Centennial celebration birthday party |
1958 |
1 |
11 |
Centennial celebration plans |
1957 |
1 |
12 |
Centennial commencement (1 5 x 7 B&W photograph) |
1958 |
1 |
13 |
Centennial Committee – advertising award given by the Art Director's Association of Iowa |
1959 |
1 |
14 |
Centennial Committee – correspondence |
1955 |
1 |
15 |
Centennial Committee – correspondence |
1956 |
1 |
16 |
Centennial Committee – correspondence |
1957 |
1 |
17 |
Centennial Committee – correspondence |
1958 |
1 |
18 |
Centennial Committee – correspondence |
1959 |
1 |
19 |
Centennial Committee – meeting minutes |
1956-1957 |
2 |
1 |
Centennial Committee – meeting minutes |
1957-1958 |
2 |
2 |
Centennial Committee – meeting notes in shorthand |
1956 |
2 |
3 |
Centennial Committee – meeting transcripts |
1956-1957 |
2 |
4 |
Centennial Committee – meeting transcripts |
1957-1958 |
2 |
5 |
Centennial Committee – organizational chart |
1958 |
2 |
6 |
Centennial Committee – reports: final report |
1958 |
2 |
7 |
Centennial Committee – reports: final report draft |
1958 |
2 |
8 |
Centennial Committee – reports: progress reports |
1957-1958 |
2 |
9 |
Centennial Committee – "Suggestions for those planning centennial celebrations" |
1958 |
2 |
10 |
Centennial Committee – sub-committees lists and memberships |
1956-1958 |
3 |
1 |
Centennial Committee – sub-committees reports |
1956-1957 |
3 |
2 |
Centennial Committee – sub-committees: Alumni Committee |
1956-1958 |
3 |
3 |
Centennial Committee – sub-committees: Budget Committee |
1956-1958 |
3 |
4 |
Centennial Committee – sub-committees: Food, Housing, and Reception Committee |
1957-1958 |
3 |
5 |
Centennial Committee – sub-committees: Founder's Day Committee |
1957 |
3 |
6 |
Centennial Committee – sub-committees: Honorary Degrees and Awards Committee |
1957 |
3 |
7 |
Centennial Committee – sub-committees: Invitation Committee |
1957-1958 |
3 |
8 |
Centennial Committee – sub-committees: Publications Committee |
1956-1958 |
3 |
9 |
Centennial Committee – sub-committees: Student Centennial Committee |
1957-1958 |
3 |
10 |
Centennial Committee – sub-committees: Symposia Committee |
1956-1958 |
3 |
11 |
Centennial Committee – sub-committees: Transportation Committee |
1957-1958 |
FILM |
K-6094 |
Centennial film – Democracy's College (16 mm films – re-releases of 1958 version) |
1962, 1967 |
FILM |
K-6051, K-6072 -- K-6076 |
Centennial film – Democracy's College (16 mm films –"Centennial Show Clips") |
1958 |
VIDEO |
V 151 |
Centennial film – Democracy's College (VHS video cassette of the 1958 release) |
1958 |
3 |
12 |
Centennial film – Democracy's College – basic treatment notes |
1957-1958 |
3 |
13 |
Centennial film – Democracy's College – development montage |
1957 |
3 |
14 |
Centennial film – Democracy's College – legislative sequence |
1957 |
3 |
15 |
Centennial film – Democracy's College – modern day sequence |
1957 |
MAP |
C 409 |
Centennial film – Democracy's College – props in film (copies of the act which founded the college and a newspaper) |
1958 |
3 |
16 |
Centennial film – Democracy's College – script |
1958 |
3 |
17 |
Centennial film – Democracy's College – source materials |
1957 |
4 |
1 |
Centennial First Day Covers |
1958 |
4 |
2 |
Centennial luncheon |
1958 |
4 |
3 |
Centennial luncheon – speakers: Hancher, Virgil, "Higher Education in Iowa" |
1958 |
4 |
4 |
Centennial luncheon – speakers: Hilton, James, closing remarks |
1958 |
4 |
5 |
Centennial News |
1958 |
4 |
6 |
Centennial radio series |
1958 |
4 |
7 |
Centennial scrapbook compiled by Roberta Fritchman, volume 1 (1 of 3) |
1958 |
4 |
8 |
Centennial scrapbook compiled by Roberta Fritchman, volume 1 (2 of 3) |
1958 |
4 |
9 |
Centennial scrapbook compiled by Roberta Fritchman, volume 1 (3 of 3) |
1958 |
4 |
10 |
Centennial scrapbook compiled by Roberta Fritchman, volume 2 (1 of 2) |
1958 |
4 |
11 |
Centennial scrapbook compiled by Roberta Fritchman, Volume 2 (2 of 2) |
1958 |
4 |
12 |
Centennial slide show script |
1958 |
5 |
1 |
Centennial stationery |
1958 |
5 |
2 |
Centennial telecast on WOI-TV |
1958 |
5 |
3 |
Centennial VEISHEA |
1958 |
5 |
4 |
"Century of Science with Practice at Iowa State College" by E. D. Ross |
1958 |
5 |
5 |
Chronology of Important Events of the First 100 Years |
1958 |
5 |
6 |
City of Ames resolution 3995 – commending the college on its 100 years |
1958 |
5 |
7 |
Commemorative Papers from the Iowa State College Centennial |
1958 |
5 |
8 |
Congratulations |
1958 |
5 |
9 |
Congratulations from prominent people |
1958 |
Map |
C 409 |
Congratulations from the University of Iowa Alumni Association in Honor of Iowa State College's Centennial |
1958 |
5 |
10 |
Controversy over the "first Land-Grant College" |
1955 |
5 |
11 |
Faculty art exhibit |
1958 |
5 |
12 |
Faculty Women's Club centennial luncheon |
1958 |
Artifact Collection |
|
Flag (accession number 2004-R002) |
1958 |
5 |
13 |
Founder's Day |
1958 |
5 |
14 |
Founder's Day convocation |
1958 |
5 |
15 |
Founder's Day convocation – speaker: Morrill, J.L. "Unchanging challenge – lest we forget" |
1958 |
5 |
16 |
Founder's Day information for guests |
1958 |
5 |
17 |
Founder's Day invitations |
1958 |
5 |
18 |
Founder's Day processional |
1958 |
5 |
19 |
Honorary degrees |
1958 |
6 |
1 |
Information regarding the founders of Iowa State – notes and correspondence with descendants |
1956-1957 |
6 |
2 |
Invitations lists |
1958 |
9 |
|
Invited guests – acceptances and regrets cards |
1958 |
10 |
|
Invited guests – acceptances and regrets cards |
1958 |
11 |
|
Invited guests – acceptances and regrets cards |
1958 |
12 |
|
Invited guests – acceptances and regrets cards |
1958 |
13 |
|
Invited guests – acceptances and regrets cards |
1958 |
6 |
3 |
"Iowa and the new education . . . the story of Iowa State College" |
1958 |
6 |
4 |
"Iowa State alumni sing" |
1958 |
Artifact |
|
Name badge (accession number 2004-R008) |
1958 |
6 |
5 |
News clippings - Alumnus |
1957-1958 |
6 |
6 |
News clippings – Bent of Tau Beta Pi |
1958 |
6 |
7 |
News clippings – Crescent |
1959 |
6 |
8 |
News clippings – Faculty Newsletter |
1958 |
6 |
9 |
News clippings – general (1 of 2) |
1957-1958 |
6 |
10 |
News clippings – general (2 of 2) |
1957-1958 |
6 |
13 |
News clippings – Iowa Agriculturalist |
1958 |
6 |
15 |
News clippings – Iowa Homemaker |
1958 |
6 |
11 |
News clippings – Green Gander |
1958 |
6 |
14 |
News clippings – Iowa Engineer |
1958 |
6 |
16 |
News clippings – Iowa State College Veternarian |
1958 |
6 |
17 |
News clippings – Iowan |
1958 |
6 |
18 |
News clippings – News of Iowa State |
1958 |
7 |
1 |
News clippings – Palimpsest |
1958 |
7 |
2 |
News releases |
1957-1958 |
Artifact Collection |
|
Postmark advertising plate (accession number 2004-R003) |
1958 |
Artifact Collection |
|
Printing plate with centennial logo (accession number 2004-R004) |
1958 |
7 |
3 |
Program of events |
1958 |
8 |
|
Scrapbook |
1958 |
7 |
4 |
Scrapbook materials list |
1958 |
7 |
5 |
Scrapbook photographs (22 5x7 B&W photographs) |
1958 |
7 |
6 |
Scripts and stories |
1958 |
7 |
7 |
Speaker's bureau for centennial |
1957 |
7 |
8 |
State of Iowa Senate concurrent resolution 22 commending Iowa State College on its 100 years |
1958 |
Artifact Collection |
|
Stickers (accession numbers 2004-R005, 2004-R006 and 2004-R007) |
1958 |
7 |
9 |
Symposia speakers – Beadle, G.W.: "Education and biocultural evolution" |
1958 |
7 |
10 |
Symposia speakers – Cardon, P.V.: "Impact of agricultural policies on international relations" |
1958 |
7 |
11 |
Symposia speakers – Houser, T.V.: "Today's challenge to people's capitalism" |
1958 |
7 |
12 |
Symposia speakers – Payne-Gaposchkin, C. |
1958 |
7 |
13 |
Symposia speakers – Pollard, W.G.: "Science as community" |
1958 |
7 |
14 |
Symposia speakers – Warren, S.: "Biology in the atomic age" |
1958 |
7 |
15 |
Time capsule |
1958 |