Browse Items (216 total)

This church was the first and the oldest African American church in Harrisonburg. Formerly located at the corner of Wolfe and Mason Streets, the church, along with many other buildings, was torn down during the urban redevelopment projects of the…

Reproduced image of a local 19th century business. This grocery, located downtown, has many young African American boys pictured in front of the shop. Some carry baskets and others are driving a buggy. An African American man, presumably a shop keep,…

Both local residents and JMU students march down Main Street in support of the Equal Rights Amendment. A rally was held at the Rockingham County Courthouse with a large turnout, despite poor weather conditions.

Printed in a 1954 issue of Madison College's newspaper, The Breeze, this article demonstrates the strained relationship between blacks and whites in 1950s America--college campuses not exempt. Made up in ‘blackface’, white students held a party with…

Pennants were common decorations in student dorm rooms. They were often made of wool felt and demonstrated support for a particular school or sport. Many resident students hung them on the walls, both for their own and other schools like Virginia…

After the name change from State Teacher’s College to Madison College in 1938, the school pennants reflected the new branding in bold colors. Continuing the tradition of displaying pennants in dorm rooms, pennants remained a consistent adornment for…

Given to freshman girls to help ease the transition to dormitory life and the Madison College experience, this booklet addressed key concerns for the attendees. These included what to pack, appropriate dress for various situations, dormitory…

Informational tidbits for incoming freshman girls are noted on this page of the "Listen Freshman" booklet.

Informational tidbits for incoming freshman girls are noted on this page of the "Listen Freshman" booklet.

By 1969 when this cotton beanie was handed to freshman Sandra Sanford, it was a far less formal occasion and met with little enthusiasm. Rules and expectations for wearing the beanie, very specific up until the mid-sixties, relaxed and the tradition…