Amanda Shepp, coordinator of Special Collections and Archives in Reed Library, stands in front of the bicentennial exhibit set up in Fenton Hall
A faded Fred Fest t-shirt. Handwritten letters from former students. Original campus designs from architect I. M. Pei and Partners. Together, they are helping tell the story of two centuries of higher education in Fredonia.
As part of SUNY Fredonia's year-long Bicentennial celebration, the university has unveiled the first installment of "A History of Fredonia in 200 Objects" in the display cases outside the President's office, and across from the recently unveiled Bicentennial mural, in Fenton Hall. The exhibit, which will rotate throughout the year, features artifacts drawn from the university archives that capture the people, traditions and defining moments that have shaped higher education in Fredonia since 1826.
Guided by the Bicentennial theme, "Celebrating Two Centuries of Impact," the exhibition invites visitors to experience university history not simply through dates and milestones, but through the personal stories behind the objects themselves.
"The idea with this exhibit is that these objects are moments in time in physical form," said Amanda Shepp, coordinator of Special Collections and Archives in Reed Library. "They're scattered points across our 200 years of campus history, and they reflect the experiences of students, faculty, the broader community, and how all of those things have interacted throughout the centuries."
The first installation includes 50 artifacts selected from the university's extensive archival collections, which span multiple floors of the Carnahan Jackson Center and continue to grow through donations and ongoing research. Rather than focusing solely on the university's most recognizable artifacts, Shepp intentionally chose pieces that highlight lesser-known chapters of Fredonia's history.
"There are items that come out over and over again for classes and exhibits," Shepp said. "I really wanted the opportunity to highlight some of the lesser-known objects that people don't get to see very often."
Among the featured artifacts are materials documenting student activism during the Vietnam War era, historic Normal School records and memorabilia that traces the evolution of campus traditions. One display showcases the original portfolio presented to campus by I. M. Pei and his firm in 1965, offering a glimpse into the architects' vision for Fredonia's modern campus, with its geometric design and expansive green spaces.
Other pieces reveal the everyday experiences of students across generations. Scrapbooks created by Normal School students, personal memorabilia and historical documents help paint a picture of life on campus and the enduring connection between the university and the surrounding community.
"There's such a rich fabric of history here with our students and everything they've contributed," Shepp said. "It's been exciting to uncover those treasures."
The exhibit will evolve throughout the Bicentennial year, with new collections rotating into the display cases during academic breaks. Future installations will feature additional artifacts spanning Fredonia's history, including objects tied to academics, student life, the arts and athletics.
Many of the artifacts included in the inaugural installation were also selected by students in classes taught by Mary Beth Sievens, who is also co-editor of "Cabinet of Curiosities," a Bicentennial publication that explores the stories behind the objects through student research and writing. Those stories will also serve as the foundation for an upcoming companion podcast series.
Katelynn Telford and Sebastion Hinkler offered extensive assistance in preparing and installing this exhibit.
For Shepp, the exhibit is ultimately about more than preserving artifacts. It is about preserving the experiences, ambitions, and traditions that have defined higher education in Fredonia for 200 years.
