Oglethorpe University Archives

01/12/2025

Did you know that the portraits of General James Edward Oglethorpe and Lady Elizabeth Wright Oglethorpe that live in the Oglethorpe Library were give to us by Mrs. High? Stop by today and see them!

Happy 163rd Birthday to Harriet "Hattie" Harwell Wilson High, born on this day in 1862. "Hattie" High was dedicated to volunteerism and the arts, and donated her family's house on Peachtree Street to create the museum in 1926.

She was active in the museum until her death in 1932. Her house remained the primary museum building until 1955 when a new brick building adjacent to the original High house was constructed. The house was demolished in 1963. The High Museum of Art has continued to grow. In 1983, the Richard Meier designed building (now the Stent Family Wing) opened and in 2005, architect Renzo Piano completed the museum campus.

12/03/2025

Did you know that Hermance Stadium, home to our Stormy Petrels baseball team, has its own cornerstone—just like the other historic campus buildings.

On May 29, 1926, Harry Hermance dedicate the cornerstone of the stadium that would bear his name. Supposed to seat 35,000 fans, only the first of seven sections was completed.

The inaugural football game to celebrate the completion of phase one was held on October 26, 1929.

Three days later on “Black Tuesday” the stock market crashed, and Hermance lost his fortune.

The rest of the stadium wasn’t ever completed.

Do you know where the cornerstone is located on the stadium? Do you know what the Latin phrase means?

25/02/2025

New Item for the Archives!

1932 football program featuring the Stormy Petrels against the Orangemen.

In front of a crowd of 15,000 at Archbold Stadium, we lost 6-27.

10/01/2025

Happy , Petrels!

Here’s an image from the mid-1930s of another snowy day on the Oglethorpe campus.

Stay safe and enjoy the wintery weather!

Image: From campus photo scrapbook (OU Archives)

05/01/2025

Happy !

Today, let’s celebrate the Stormy Petrel, better known as Wilson's Storm-petrel (Oceanites oceanicus).

General Oglethorpe, according to legend, followed the tenacious flyer to the coast of Georgia, and Dr. Thornwell Jacobs, Oglethorpe's re-founder, chose the sea bird as our unique mascot.

Be sure to check out OU’s spring athletics schedule at gopetrels.com to see when you can cheer on our OWN Stormy Petrels!

Image 1: Plate 270 of Birds of America by John James Audubon (Courtesy of the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, Montgomery County Audubon Collection, and Zebra Publishing)
Image 2: Petey (detail), 1923 Yamacraw yearbook (OU Archives)

23/12/2024

What to get someone for their 328th birthday…?

New wig, suit of armor, sword, horse?

Happy (belated) birthday, General Oglethorpe!

05/12/2024

Boar’s Head is one of the oldest and most cherished traditions here at OU.

Celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, the annual celebration brings together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community to share in the fellowship and music of the holiday season with a concert by our University Singers, University Chorale, OU Symphony, and Jazzy Petrels.

The Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) leadership society also uses the occasion to induct new members—who each have the opportunity to kiss a real—although taxidermized—boar. Dating back to 1920, the group has its roots in the Boar’s Head Society (founded 1920) and Duchess Club (founded 1927) before becoming an official chapter of the ODK national fraternity in 1976.

Be sure to attend the concert TOMORROW (Friday, December 6th) at 8 PM in the Conant Performing Arts Center.

Image 1: Boar, 2023, OU Flicker Account
Image 2: Boar’s Head Procession, 2022, OU Flicker Account
Image 3: Boar’s Head Concert, 2021, OU Flicker Account
Image 4: Boar’s Head Concert, 2023, OU Flicker Account
Image 5: Boar’s Head Concert, 2022, OU Flicker Account
Image 6: Duchess Club, 1976, OU Yamacraw Yearbook
Image 7: Boar’s Head Fraternity, 1976, OU Yamacraw Yearbook
Image 8: Boar’s Head Program, 1948, OU Archives
Image 9: Boar’s Head Invitation, 1947, OU Archives
Image 10: Bringing in the Boar’s Head, December 24, 1950, The Atlanta Journal
Image 11: Boar’s Head Concert, 1952, OU Library Digital Collections
Image 12: Boar’s Head Concert, 1952, OU Library Digital Collections
Image 13: Boar’s Head Procession, 1950, OU Library Digital Collections
Image 14: Old Music Instruments Add to Bear Head Fete, December 12, 1956, The Atlanta Journal

07/11/2024

Although formed on March 19, 1974, 50 years ago, the Black Student Caucus was officially recognized as a student organization at Oglethorpe University.

Throughout the years, the group has focused on programming for the OU community as well as activism and outreach in Atlanta.

Tomorrow, the group will host their annual gala from 8-11 PM in the Lupton Auditorium. Be sure to stop by and celebrate with the group!

Image 1: Stormy Petrel newspaper clippings (1974)
Image 2: Yamacraw yearbook image (1974-5)
Image 3: Yamacraw yearbook image (1994)
Image 4: Yamacraw yearbook images (1996 and 1991)
Images 5 and 6: BSC Instagram images (2024)

02/11/2024

Out of the Archives and into the Classroom!

Yesterday, we visited Dr. Stephen Goodwin’s class with OU’s 1755 printing of Martin Luther’s 1534 German translation of the bible. The German language students learned about Martin Luther and the Reformation as well as the printing press and its importance in the progression of modernity.

The book is the family bible of OU re-founder Thornwell Jacobs’ mother’s family and was gifted to the University by his granddaughter Carrie Lee Jacobs Henderson. Ms. Henderson is a great supporter of OU.

We love visiting classes to spread the excitement of primary sources and artifacts of our past from our collections.

Image 1: Dr. Goodwin discussing the bible’s history
Image 2: Students taking pictures of the bible
Image 3: Students listening to Dr. Goodwin talk about the Reformation
Image 4: Title page of the bible
Image 5: Bible with its decorative case

#1755 #1534

15/09/2024

On Friday, Oglethorpe University will inaugurate our 18th president, Dr. Kathryn T. McClymond!

Click through and learn a little about OU’s inaugurations of the past.

https://source.oglethorpe.edu/2024/07/18/full-schedule-of-events-to-celebrate-the-inauguration-of-oglethorpes-18th-president/

All images courtesy of the OU Archives.