A Nursery of Patriotism: The University at War, 1861-1945
War's historic impact on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will be the subject of an exhibit opening Nov. 13 in Wilson Library's Manuscripts Department.
A Nursery of Patriotism: The University at War, 1861-1945 will use more than 150 letters, documents, photographs, and publications to explore the university's contributions to and involvement in the Civil War, World War I and World War II. The free public exhibit will be on view through Feb. 29. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
The exhibit will in part tell the story of the university by following individuals such as Ruffin Thomson of Hinds County, Miss. Thomson attended UNC from 1859 to 1861, then joined the 18th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. On exhibit will be a letter in which Thomson describes the campus at the beginning of the war; a detail of his regiment's muster roll bearing his name; his 1864 military promotion letter to the Confederate Marine Corps; and an excerpt from the "University of North Carolina Record" conferring degrees on Thomson and other military alumni in 1911.
Other items to be shown include a 1917 pamphlet by UNC faculty titled Why We are at War with Germany; a 1943 Christmas card mailed to Spike Saunders from Guadalcanal; and numerous photos and documents illustrating wartime life on campus. The exhibit will also present items showing dissenting opinions, such as opposition to the draft and to the large military presence on campus during World War II.
For more information about A Nursery of Patriotism, contact the Manuscripts Department at (919) 962-1345.
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