Collections

Daniel W. Biddle (1870-1954) was a student at Indiana University from September 1893 through Spring 1895. This collection consists of letters that Daniel W. Biddle wrote to his parents and his friend Janie Bartee during his attendance at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana from 1893-1895. The letters document Biddle's social and academic life at IU through details on his interactions with his roommates, classmates, and professors; his studies and laboratory work; and events on campus and in the Bloomington community, including an 1895 student protest supporting the removal of IU to Indianapolis.

John C. Wilson was a student at Indiana University from 1857-1858. The diary recounts life as a student as well as a few details about life in Bloomington.

Wayne County, Indiana resident Pauline Montgomery spent most of her life as a Latin and English teacher. The Indiana University alumna was also a local historian and author of one book, Indiana Coverlet Weavers and Their Coverlets. This collection consists of Montgomery's approximately sixteen-hundred photos and negatives of Indiana tombstones and the accompanying ledgers documenting their appearance, locations, and placement dates.

Materials collected from the composition studio of Leonard Bernstein, a conductor, composer, and musician active during the mid-20th century. The collection includes recordings, books, scores, awards, artwork, clothing, furniture, and other artifacts pertaining to his professional and personal life.

The Cookery mss., circa 1660–circa 1918, consists of bound and individual writings, often on the topic of cookery, of persons involved with cooking by practice or trade.

The Preston, Robert mss., ca. 1930s-1990s, consist of correspondence, photographs, and memorabilia of stage and screen actor Robert Preston.

World War I and World War II necessitated the expansion not only of the combat forces of the U.S. military but also of its medical services. To help meet this need, medical schools and the American Red Cross sponsored the creation of hospital units. The Indianapolis medical community followed this trend during both wars. In 1917, the Indianapolis Chapter of the American Red Cross established the unit eventually designated Base Hospital 32. Almost all of the doctors, nurses, and enlisted men originally assigned to the unit came from Indianapolis or central Indiana. In 1942, the Indiana University Medical Center set up the 32nd General Hospital. Named in honor of its World War I predecessor, this unit drew most of its original medical and nursing staffs from the IU Medical Center. Both units served in Europe. The records consist of photocopies of unit files of the 32nd General Hospital; unit histories, scrapbooks, and personal reminiscences compiled after the wars; records relating to reunions held by members of the 32nd General Hospital, photographs, an 8mm film of the 32nd General Hospital and two videotape copies of the film.

The Cycling mss., ca. 1879-1978, consists of materials pertaining to the growth of bicycling and the bicycling industry in the late-19th and early-20th century.

Consists of individual items acquired separately either as a gift or purchased from a variety of sources, relating to or by French literary figures. Additions continue to be made.

The Johnson, J. mss., ca. 1740-1759, consists of materials devised by Jane (Russell) Johnson primarily for the instruction of her son, George William Johnson. The materials consist of 438 items and are arranged in 24 groups. Included are alphabet cards, religious and secular lesson cards, all hand-made. Some contain colored illustrations and are decorated with multi-colored Dutch paper.