College history is the focus of two exhibits in Reed Library

Two exhibits chronicling chapters in SUNY Fredonia’s long history – the legacy of President Dallas Beal and contributions made by a former group known as the Faculty Dames-- are on display at Reed Library through Friday, Oct. 15.

“Everybody who has seen the Beal collection said it brought back a lot of good memories. A lot of people remember what a good president he was,” said Sandy Miller, a library clerk with Archives and Special Collections. “A lot of people hadn’t heard of the Faculty Dames, and they thought that was really interesting.”

The Beal exhibit, which honors SUNY Fredonia’s 10th president, contains numerous photos taken of Beal with dignitaries during his 1970-1984 presidential tenure as well as wall plaques and newspaper clippings. Also hanging in the exhibit is a full-page Buffalo newspaper article that recognizes the significant role played by Beal and his wife, Kris, in saving the historic Fenner House, which houses the Admissions Office, from the wrecking ball.

Mia Gray, a work-study student, assembled the Beal exhibit.

Faculty Dames contains numerous newspaper clippings and photos of members taken at teas and other social events which the organization hosted to raise money to support the college, beginning in the early 1940s. Actual hats worm by the members and tea sets used at their functions are also included in the display.

Memories of the organization, which disbanded shortly after its 50th anniversary, were rekindled by members of the local Antique Study Group, which includes several former members of the organization, on a recent campus visit to see the exhibit. “They were really excited, a lot of them were past members of Faculty Dames, so that meant a lot to them,” Miller said.

Sarah Marchitelli, also a work-study student, put this display together.

Both exhibits are located in the hallway between the atrium and Archives and Special Collections.