Architectural Origins: Installing an SCRC Exhibition
by Meg Mason, University Archivist
SCRC's fall exhibition, Architectural Origins: Syracuse University Buildings, 1870-1970, opened on August 18 on the 6th floor of Bird Library. I curated the exhibition, which features historical materials from the University Archives that document some of the University’s early campus buildings and highlight the architectural evolution of the campus during its first one hundred years. I selected a variety of historical materials to display, including photographs, architectural drawings and plans, correspondence and other University records, postcards, printed materials and three-dimensional objects.
After over 18 months of curation and preparation, installation of the exhibition took place over two days. The vendor who printed the vinyl sheets designed with historical images placed them on the walls and inside panels in wall cases on August 15. Installation of original archival materials happened on the following day. The curator never does this alone; launching an exhibition is not only a creative feat but also a very physical process, so there are always other SCRC staff there to assist. The conservation librarian, David Stokoe, is regularly present for installation day. He also prepares the materials ahead of time, including making any necessary minor repairs and providing supports for the items. Also there to lend a hand was SCRC Director Nicolette Dobrowolski. We scheduled installation on a Saturday morning, when the sixth floor is closed to the public. David set up his speaker and started playing music, and we got started!
Conservation librarian David Stokoe cleans the plexiglass cover to one of the exhibit cases.
Installation of a new exhibition always means the disassembling of the old exhibition, which this time was The Making of the Medieval Book. After we removed a plexiglass cover from the top of a case, Nicolette carefully transferred the items from the old exhibition onto a cart. Meanwhile, I would be busy getting my cart of materials and item labels ready, and David would clean the case cover. Before arranging the new items into the case, one of us would give it a quick vacuum.
University Archivist and curator Meg Mason prepares historical materials for placement in an exhibit case.
Once an exhibit case was all cleared out and cleaned up, I placed my new items in the exhibit cases. I had done some blocking of materials ahead of time, so I had an idea of how I wanted to arrange them, but Nicolette served as my second set of eyes to make sure everything looked exactly right. Sometimes we asked David to provide a support that angled a photograph or a document up to provide more visual balance in the case or simply make it easier to look at. We continuously had a visitor’s point of view in mind as we finalized the arrangement of items in each case.
Architectural model of the Newhouse Communications Complex.
Conservation librarian David Stokoe brushing dust off the Hall of Languages desk.
Despite a dusty desk, exhibit installation went quickly. I’m gratified to finally see over 18 months' worth of work, not just by me but by a number of Libraries’ staff as well, come to fruition.
Visitors can view Architectural Origins: Syracuse University Buildings, 1870-1970 on the sixth floor of Bird Library, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. The exhibition will be open until January 2026.