'Historic Images of Delaware: A Digital Exploration' set Oct. 20

2:45 p.m., Oct. 14, 2003--The University of Delaware Library will sponsor a program “Historic Images of Delaware: A Digital Exploration” from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Monday, Oct. 20, as part of the statewide celebration of Delaware Archives Week. The event is free and open to the public.

University Provost Daniel Rich will host the opening of the UD Library digital collection of more than 2,000 images of historic Delaware.

The Oct. 20 program will be held in the Class of 1941 Lecture Room in the Morris Library. Light refreshments will be available. A printed invitation may be obtained by contacting the Office of the Director of Libraries via e-mail at [libraryrsvp@winsor.lib.udel.edu] or by calling 831-2231.

The University of Delaware Library digital collection, which includes the University of Delaware Library Postcard Collection, will be available through an innovative image database that is open to worldwide researchers via the Internet. The Unidel Foundation supported this digital project.

The University of Delaware Library Postcard Collection includes more than 2,000 separate views of Delaware and nearby areas. The postcards in the collection date mainly from the end of the 19th century to the mid-20th century, although there are also postcards from throughout the latter part of the 20th century. Most of the cards in the collection were commercially produced and represent well-known Delaware buildings, monuments and views, such as the state capitol in Dover, Wilmington’s downtown buildings and historic structures and Rehoboth’s beaches and boardwalks.

A number of the cards document small-town life in Delaware, including street scenes and domestic buildings. Besides documenting the landscape of Delaware as it existed during the past hundred years, some of the images represent the only extant views of buildings or businesses that have long since been razed.

W. Barksdale Maynard, an independent scholar and writer specializing in the history of American architecture, will talk about the richness of visual resources in support of architectural and other research.

Maynard holds a bachelor’s degree in art history from Princeton University and master’s and doctoral degrees in art history from the University of Delaware. His book, “Architecture in the United States, 1800-50,” was published by Yale University Press in 2002.

Maynard has received many awards and honors, including UD’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 1996 and the Wilbur Owen Sypherd Dissertation Prize in 1997. His forthcoming book, “Walden Pond: A History,” will be published by Oxford University Press.

For library hours, call 831-BOOK, or visit [www.lib.udel.edu].

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