October is American Archives Month

From Andrew Holbrook,
Operations and Archives Librarian

Archives are more than places where we keep papers, publications, photographs, and other historical materials. Archives are resources that connect past, present, and future. Sometimes, archives raise questions; sometimes, they help us find answers.

In honor of American Archives Month this October, the Edgewood University Archives is on the case of the missing letters....

If you come into campus from Woodrow Street, the rounded corner of DeRicci Hall may look newly bare. However, closer inspection reveals traces of what once was there.

Two photos of the entrance to DeRicci Hall, with faint stains on the brick where letters use to be

When DeRicci Hall opened in 1961, this smooth, shiny corner served as the main entrance to Edgewood College. Initially, the top of the curved wall presented a plain brick façade. Sometime between August 1966 (below left) and May 1967 (right), however, large letters were added to greet visitors.

Two black and white photos of the entrance to DeRicci Hall. One has no letters above the entrance, and the other has letters spelling 'Edgewood College'.

The lettering lasted for almost 60 years. When the Predolin Humanities Center opened in 2000, its two-story rotunda created a new, centrally located welcome center for the college. Yet the sign facing Woodrow Street stayed — until it was removed this past summer as part of our name change to Edgewood University.

Where did the letters go? Into the archives, of course! After a contractor dismantled the lettering, it was transferred to the Oscar Rennebohm Library for permanent preservation in our collections.

Large metal letters E, D, W, O, and an archival box on top of a table.

Each piece of metal was lightly cleaned to remove dirt, cobwebs, beehives, and other organic matter without disturbing the original paint. Surprisingly, it turned out that the letters, which used to look black on the wall, were actually colored a bright blue!

Then the letters — 4 E’s, 3 O’s, 2 D’s, G’s, 2 L’s, 1 C, and 1 W — were wrapped in acid-free tissue paper to cushion each piece, avoid scratching, and create a stable, protective barrier against contamination. Finally, these puffy packages were placed in extra-large freezer bags to provide a low-humidity environment that will prevent further corrosion in the future.

The Woodrow Street letters were a sign of their time, both literally and symbolically. The original construction of DeRicci Hall, where they were located, marked a major step forward for the institution whose identity they announced. In subsequent years, the letters also witnessed renovations and additions to DeRicci as the college expanded through the decades. Even their removal speaks to our next steps as we make the transition to a university.

These important objects endured many eras of Edgewood history. Now, as they take their place in the Edgewood University Archives, they have a home for many more.