Kent State University artifacts

Finding Aid

Prepared by Cara Gilgenbach, February 1, 2002; Last updated: August 2024

Inclusive Dates: 1917-2002
Extent: 7.33 cubic feet (4 record storage boxes + 6 flat oversize boxes + 1 slim document case + 1 shoebox container)
Physical Location: 11th floor

Scope and Content: This collection contains a variety Kent State University-related artifacts (memorabilia). Many items are undated.

Accruals: Items will be added to this collection on an ongoing basis.

Related Material: Kent State University Sports artifacts are housed in a separate collection. See also the Kent State University Semicentennial collection for additional artifacts related to that event.

Box 1: Commemorative Plates (Dining Plates)
Contents

1. Plate: "Administration Building" Semi-Centennial edition 1960. (Donated by Sue Lane; plate belonged to Allurta Adolph)
2. Plate: "Administration Building" Brown image on white field, undated
3. Plate: "Administration Building" Brown image on white field, undated
4. Plate: "Administration Building" Black image on white field, undated
5. Plate: "Kent State University Twin Bands" Blue image on white field, undated
6. Plate: "KSNS." (Kent State Normal School). Dining room plate (?), undated 
7. Plate: "Official Kent State University Plate." Sterling silver commemorative plate issued by The Franklin Mint, 1974
   Acquisition Information: Donated by Frances Houser.

Box 2: Miscellaneous Artifacts
Contents

1. T-Shirt: "Impeach Carol Cartwright," undated 
2. T-Shirt: New Student Orientation, undated
3. Embroidered KSU Badges or Patches, undated 
4. Official Seal (old design) embosser, undated 
5. Official Seal stamp, undated 
6. Silver Bowl, "Campus Day," 1965
   Scope and Content:  See accompanying letter in folder.
7. Brass Commemorative Seal/Paperweight, "Cunningham Hall, 1968, Kent State University," 1968 [3 copies]
8. Silver Flatware and Serveware, Stamped on verso with "KSNC," undated, but before 1935
   Acquisition Information: Sent to Special Collections & Archives by Kent State Hospitality Services.

Box 3: Miscellaneous Artifacts
Contents

1. Mug: "Supporter of the Lithuanian Program," undated
2. Kent State University Megaphone, undated
3. Kent Normal College Pin, 1917
   Custodial History: Owned by Rilla Miriam Beck Sowers. Donated by Ruth Sharec.
4. Kent State Pin, 1924 
5. Cardinal Key Bracelet, undated 
6. Nameplate: "William Stewart Kent whose generous gift of land made possible this location of the Kent State Normal College and in honor of whom this College was named," undated 
7. Ticket: "Kent State College Student Activities Ticket," 1934-35
8. Keychain: "Be Wise; Continue Your Education at Kent State U. or Your Local Branch," undated 
9. Keychain: DuBois Bookstore, undated
10. Magnet: Kent State University, undated
11. Buttons/Pins miscellaneous buttons and pins related to Kent State and Kent State Organizations, undated
12. Medallion: Cunningham Hall Building Dedication, November 2, 1968

Box 4: Miscellaneous Artifacts
Contents

1. Official KSU Colors fabric swatches; velvet, 1925
   Scope and Content: See accompanying folder for documentation about colors.
2. Pen Nibs used to sign House Bills No. 324 and 325 relative to changing the name of Kent State Normal College and adding courses and schools to the institution, undated
   Scope and Content: See accompanying folder for documentation.
3. "Dink" beanie hat, undated 
4. "Dink" beanie hat, undated 
5. "Dink" beanie hat, undated
6. "Dink" beanie hat, 1932 (for the Class of 1936)
   Acquisition Information: Donated by Shelley Forbes, Class of 1970. This dink belonged to her mother Lucille Wright Forbes, Class of 1934 (graduated with a two-year diploma).
7. "Dink" beanie hat, undated
   Acquisition Information: Donated by Shelley Forbes, Class of 1970. Although Forbes indicates this dink was also her mother's, it appears to be from a later time period than the 1930s based on its style.
8. "Dink" beanie hat, 1946 
9. "Dink" beanie hat, 1956?
   Acquisition Information: Donated by Gareth R. Jones, Class of 1960.
10. "Dink"style beanie hat with KSU Sesquicentennial patch, 1960
11. "Dink" beanie hat, undated (but 1960s)
    Acquisition Information: Donated by Karl Kosko in 2017. The dink belonged to Kosko's mother, Myrna Mehaffey Kosko, while she was a student at Kent State University.
12. "Dink" beanie hat, undated
    Acquisition Information: Donated by Bernard Lubran, Class of 1969.
13. "Dink" beanie hat, undated
    Acquisition Information: Donated by Joel Schackne. 

Box 5: Flat Oversize: Academic Regalia
Contents

1. Dean Arden Allyn's Hood and Cap, undated
2. Dr. Mona Fletcher's Hood and Tassel, undated
3. Dr. Raleigh M. Drake's Hood and Cap, undated

Box 6: Flat Oversize: Pennants
Contents

1. Pennant: "Kent State Normal School, Kent, O." pre-1915?
2. Pennant: "KSNC Kent," circa 1917?
   Acquisition Information: Donated by Ruth Sharec.
3. Pennant: "Kent State Normal," undated
4. Pennant: "KSN: Kent," undated
5. Pennant: "KSN: Kent," undated
6. Pennant, undated
7. Pennant, undated
8. Pennant, 1938
   Acquisition Information: Donated by Marcia and Walter Holmes.
9. Pennant, "KSU," undated
   Acquisition Information: Donated by Gareth R. Jones, Class of 1960.

Box 7: Flat Oversize: Flags
Contents

1. Flag: Kent State Normal School, undated
2. Flag: blue and gold colors, undated

Box 8: Flat Oversize: NASA Commemoratives
Contents

1. NASA Commemorative: Presented to Kent State University framed photos and artifacts from the orbiter Discovery, April 28-May 6, 1991
2. NASA Commemorative: Presented to Kent State University framed photos and artifacts from the orbiter Discovery, April 28-May 6, 1991
3. Expedition 4: International Space Station: Colonel Carl E. Walz Commemorative Montage: Presented to Kent State University, after June 19, 2002
   Scope and Content: A montage mounted on foam core board of photographs, a KSU paperweight, the state flag of Ohio, and a patch. The flag and paperweight were present on a flight aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS 108, and present on board the International Space Station from December 5, 2001 to June 19, 2002. Walz, Class of 1977, served as Flight Engineer on Expedition 4 to the International Space Station. Although a KSU sweatshirt is also referenced in the text on this montage, that item is not present in the collection.
   Physical Location: Filed in mapcase.

Box 9: Flat Oversized: Building Signs & Plaques
Contents

1. Building Plaque: Student Union, 1949
2. Ombudsman for Students sign, undated

Box 10: Flat Oversize: Building Signs & Plaques
Contents

1. Dr. DeWeese's office sign, undated 
   Restrictions on Access: Special handling is required as this item is made of glass, is oversized, and fragile.

Box 11: Printing Blocks for Kent State University Graphics
Contents

1. Printing blocks created for Kent State University publications. Designed by John O'Leary (1934-2011; KSU Class of 1960) who was a graphic designer in the Kent State Publications Department from 1970-1990.
   Acquisition Information: Donated by Frances O'Leary, KSU Class of 1962.

Box 12: License Plates
Contents

1. Blue and gold Ohio license plate to commemorate the 50th anniversary (semicentennial) of Kent State University, 1960
   Physical Description: Includes special license plate frame that reads "Kent State University 1910-1960" and includes semicentennial logo and vinyl plate cover with same logo.
   Acquisition Information: Donated in 2006 to the Alumni Association by Robert Lade, Class of 1956. Transferred to Special Collections & Archives in 2021.
2. Blue and gold Ohio license plate to commemorate the 50th anniversary (semicentennial) of Kent State University, 1960
   Physical Description: Includes special license plate topper that reads "Kent State" and includes the university's seal.
   Acquisition Information: Donated in 2006 to the Alumni Association by Robert Lade, Class of 1956. Transferred to Special Collections & Archives in 2021.