Category Archives: Special Collections

Champlain’s Newest Residence Hall: 158 South Willard Street

This fall, Champlain College added another historic building to its constellation of Victorian residence halls: 158 South Willard Street, on the corner of Main and South Willard. This gorgeous residence stands out for its architectural significance and ties to two Burlingtonians, famous in their day for their military service, business ventures, and travel adventures. Designed […]

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The Origins of Chauncey the Beaver

Ever wondered why Champlain College’s mascot is a beaver? A new mini-exhibition in Miller Information Commons, on view during the fall semester, profiles the origins and evolution of Chauncey on campus. Chauncey the beaver was born in 1960, when President C. Bader Brouilette decided the College needed a mascot. Inspiration struck when Dean Winthrop Tilley […]

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A Fanciful View of Burlington Bay

In the early 1870s, armchair travelers snapped up copies of Picturesque America, a lavishly illustrated two-volume work celebrating the natural wonders of the United States. Edited by author and poet William Cullen Bryant, Picturesque America’s oversized volumes contain evocative descriptions and gorgeous images of — as its rather grandiose subtitle suggests — “The Mountains, Rivers, Lakes, Forests, Water-Falls, Shores, Cañons, Valleys, Cities, and […]

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Summertime in Burlington: Historic Postcard Views

In Vermont, we treasure our gorgeous summer days, which are all the more beautiful because they are so fleeting. These historic postcards from Champlain College’s Special Collections capture the essence of summertime in our hometown of Burlington: the sun sparkling on the lake, warm breezes in the air, impressionistic sunsets, and, as always, magnificent views in every direction. […]

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Celebrating Commencement: Images from the College Archives

On May 14, 2016, Champlain College celebrates its 138th Commencement, launching 636 undergraduate students on their professional careers. A new exhibition in Miller Information Commons, on view through May 31, featuring Commencement photographs from the Champlain College Archives commemorates the achievements of Champlain’s past graduates and captures the joy and pride they expressed during this watershed moment in their lives. […]

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Leading Women at Champlain: Patricia Conant

Leading Women, an exhibition on view in Miller Information Commons through April 15, celebrates the achievements of seven women who played essential roles in the development and administration of Champlain College. Among those featured is Patricia (Pat) Conant (1937-2013): A Brooklyn, New York native and mother of two, Conant graduated from the University of Vermont in 1957 with a Bachelor’s […]

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Leading Women at Champlain: Lola Aiken

Leading Women, an exhibition on view in Miller Information Commons through April 15, celebrates the achievements of seven women who played essential roles in the development and administration of Champlain College. Among those featured is former Trustee Lola Pierotti Aiken (1912-2014): The child of Italian immigrants, Lola Aiken grew up in Montpelier, Vermont and was the valedictorian of her […]

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Leading Women at Champlain: Edith Templin

Leading Women, an exhibition on view in Miller Information Commons through April 15, celebrates the achievements of seven women who played essential roles in the development and administration of Champlain College. Among those featured is former faculty member Edith (Eadie) Kyle Templin (1942-2015). Templin grew up in Connecticut and received a B.A. from Smith College and an […]

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Leading Women at Champlain: Elizabeth Durick

Leading Women, a new exhibition celebrating the achievements of seven women who played essential roles in the development and administration of Champlain College, will open in Miller Information Commons on Monday, March 7, 2016 in conjunction with the Women’s Empowerment Initiative. During their lifetimes, the seven women were all leaders, each in their own way, as faculty, staff, and […]

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Style and Sentiment: Victorian Advertising Cards

In the Victorian era, advertising cards exploded in popularity among American businesses and consumers alike. Companies capitalized on new printing technologies, using richly illustrated cards to build brand recognition and convey product information. A fresh and inexpensive method of direct advertising, these cards were distributed free of charge by retailers and snapped up as keepsakes by consumers. A new Special Collections […]

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