A Short History of the Iowa State University Society of Women Engineers Student Chapter

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is a national organization with a mission to empower women as leaders and engineers.  Iowa State founded its student chapter in 1968 under the leadership of undergraduate student Mardith (Thomas) Baenziger.  In 1968, less than 1% of the total engineering enrollment at Iowa State was made up of women.  According to Baenziger, this made it particularly difficult to found the club, which required 10 members at its founding.  She noted in correspondence found within the Iowa State University Society Of Women Engineers Chapter records, “most of us never had another female student in our classes for the entire program after freshman math and english.” In fact, they had to recruit a woman majoring in another related field to meet the 10-person threshold to found the student chapter at Iowa State.

Iowa State University Society Of Women Engineers Chapter records RS 22/5/0/9. Box 16 Folder 7. Special Collections and University Archives, Iowa State University Library, Ames, Iowa.

However, those 10 women were the trailblazers for SWE at Iowa State, and the organization’s membership grew over the following decades. By the mid-1980s, ISU’s SWE student chapter membership had surpassed 100, and by the end of the decade, their membership had hit 200, climbing even higher into the 1990s. SWE membership is not limited to engineering students or women, however.  In fact, the first male SWE member at ISU joined in 1981.  Even today, all are welcome to be members of SWE and participate in their engineering-focused events.

Activities log from 1995-1996. Iowa State University Society Of Women Engineers Chapter records RS 22/5/0/9. Box 11 Folder 13. Special Collections and University Archives, Iowa State University Library, Ames, Iowa.

Regional conference agenda. Iowa State University Society Of Women Engineers Chapter records RS 22/5/0/9. Box 15 Folder 5. Special Collections and University Archives, Iowa State University Library, Ames, Iowa.

Historically, SWE has hosted a few events every month which promote the continued success of women in engineering.  These events have included speakers on technical topics and professional development, corporate speakers and plant tours, social events to build friendships, community service activities, tutoring by and for SWE members, displays and floats during VEISHEA celebrations, attendance at regional and national conferences, and a high school outreach program designed to promote engineering to high school students.  According to one individual, “Being a S.W.E. member at I.S.U. is definitely ‘a must’ for the well-informed engineering woman.”

22/5/0/9. Box 18 Folder 1.

22/5/0/9. Box 18 Folder 1.

22/5/0/9. Box 18 Folder 1.

22/5/0/9. Box 18 Folder 1.

22/5/0/9. Box 18 Folder 1.

The Iowa State chapter of SWE is also a winsome group.  They’ve been recognized year after year for regional and national accomplishments.  1999 was a year to note, when ISU students won top honors in five areas at the Society of Women Engineers National Conference.  That year, they won multiple recognitions for outreach, including their annual overnight camp for high school students featuring ISU engineering and an educational film for pre-college students.  In addition, they won multiple awards for their achievements in competitions and for their recruitment and retention of members.

Fall 1994 ISU SWE Newsletter. Iowa State University Society Of Women Engineers Chapter records RS 22/5/0/9. Box 6 Folder 4. Special Collections and University Archives, Iowa State University Library, Ames, Iowa.

For more information about the history of the Iowa State University student chapter of the Society of Women Engineers, check out the Iowa State University Society Of Women Engineers Chapter records (RS 22/5/0/9) available in the Special Collections and University Archives reading room on the 4^th floor of Parks Library.

Parks Library Centennial

2025 marks a century of the University Libraries being housed in the same building on the Iowa State campus. To commemorate this occasion the Special Collections and University Archives has installed the exhibit “The Heart of the University: Parks Library at Iowa State University” on the first floor of Parks Library.

The exhibit covers the library’s beginnings in 1868 and its nomadic existence of being housed in Old Main, Morrill Hall, and Beardshear Hall before the first dedicated library building was constructed.

Library in Morrill Hall, c.1910. University Photographs, RS 4/8/H, box 172.

You can also view floorplans and elevations (blueprints) of the design of the building, photographs of its construction, and photographs of the interior of the building after its completion.

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  Land Being Cleared for New Library, [October 1922]. University Photographs, RS 4/8/I, Box 313.

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  Superstructure, [April 1923]. University Photographs, RS 4/8/I, Box 199.

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  New College Library [1925]. University Photos, RS 4/8/I, Box 313.

Lastly, visitors will learn about some of the programing and services developed under the supervision of Charles Harvey Brown, Library Dean and future President of the American Library Association, after he took over in 1922.

Charles Brown, Undated. University Photos, RS 25/1/F, Box 2041.

The exhibit will be on display until the end of the calendar year. A digital exhibit is in development that will provide additional history of the Library for researchers and interested people into the future.

Collection Highlight: RS 12/4/18 Joan Herwig papers

One of the best things about working (and visiting) the Iowa State University Special Collections and University Archives, is all the interesting topics and people to learn about in our collections. One such collection where this comes forth is the Joan Herwig papers, which has a new accrual now open to the public. While this collection has lived in the archive for a while, the new accrual helps to further shape Dr. Herwig’s life, and career at Iowa State. Herwig was also a big supporter of the Archives and utilized the space often for her own historical research projects. As she was someone who appreciated the importance of the Archive and the role it plays in making history accessible to patrons, I thought it would be fun to introduce the collection by highlighting a few of the new materials from the accrual.

Photograph of Joan Herwig in 1982. From the Joan Herwig papers, RS 12/4/18

Dr. Herwig was an instructor for the Department of Child Development at Iowa State University from 1971-1978, an assistant professor from 1978-1982, an associate professor from 1982-2003, and served as the Director of the Child Development Laboratory School from 1993-2003. She was a very active member of Iowa State University and in the child development profession through serving on many committees and boards, writing papers, presenting at conferences, and was often quoted by the press on matters related to child development.

From the Joan Herwig papers, RS 12/4/18. This is a clipping from the Iowa State Daily from February 16, 1999

In 1992, while Dr. Herwig was an associate professor of the Human Development and Family Studies program, she received the Fulbright Scholar Lecturer Award for her sabbatical in India from 1991-1992. While in India, she was a visiting scholar in child development and early childhood education and worked as a graduate lecturer and offered faculty seminars at M.S. University of Baroda and the S.N.D.T. Women’s University. The focus of her research during her sabbatical was on the state of early childhood education in India, and she explored this through field visits and by working with the Indian Association of Preschool Education.

Letter from Tom Harkin, United States Senator, from the Joan Herwig papers, RS 12/4/18

She was also heavily involved in the construction process for the Palmer Human Development and Family Studies building, which started in 1996 and was completed in 2000. During this process, Dr. Herwig presented to the Palmer’s about the use of their donation for the building, provided input for the design of the building, attended building progress meetings, planned celebrations related to the building and the 75^th anniversary of the Child Development Program, and even attended site visits of the building with Dean Crabtree, Barbara and James Palmer, and several of the Child Development Lab School teachers.

Photograph of Joan Herwig and kindergarten teacher, Luisa Thorn in 1999. From the Joan Herwig papers, RS 12/4/18

From the Joan Herwig papers, RS 12/4/18. This is a clipping from the Iowa State Daily from February 28, 2000

In addition to providing information about Dr. Herwig’s life and career at Iowa State University, this collection is also a wealth of knowledge about the history of the Child Development Laboratory School and for the Department of Child Development/Human Development and Family Studies. Dr. Herwig compiled several documents and photographs related to these topics in preparation for several of her own history projects, including for the 75^th anniversary celebration of the program and for the Palmer Human Development and Family Studies building. Some of the records include photographs of the lab school children, department newsletters, and brochures for the school.

Brochure for the Child Development Lab School Program (undated), from the Joan Herwig papers, RS 12/4/18

To learn more about these materials, please view the finding aid or visit the Special Collections and University Archives, which is open Monday – Friday, between 10am – 4pm.

A Welcome to McKenzie Reimer and Rachael Hargrove, Processing Archivists

Processing archivists make sure you can find what you’re looking for by arranging all collection material and creating the finding aids in CARDinal. Its a big job! Last year, both of SCUA’s Processing Archivists took the next step in their career and left ISU.

Thankfully, we recently welcomed two wonderful new processing archivists to make sure we continue to make collections accessible as soon as possible. Welcome to SCUA, McKenzie and Rachael!

MCKENZIE REIMER:

McKenzie joined SCUA in June 2024. She holds an MLIS with a concentration in Archival Management and an MA in History from Simmons University. McKenzie is originally from Ames and is an alumnus of Iowa State University, where she earned a BS in Journalism and a BA in English. During her time as a student at ISU, McKenzie worked in a variety of departments at Parks Library, including SCUA, where she realized her passion for processing.

In her free time, McKenzie enjoys hanging out at the Ames History Museum as a Gallery Volunteer or at home working on creative projects, such as, crochet, embroidery, or puzzles.

RACHAEL HARGROVE:

Rachael joined SCUA as a processing archivist in December 2024. Though originally from Blacksburg, Virginia, she grew up catching lizards and dodging hurricanes in Florida. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Central Florida in 2018 and a Master of Science in Information from the University of Michigan in 2022.

In her free time, Rachael enjoys reading, writing, painting, and gardening. She has two cats, Moth and Freyja.

A very festive Freyja

The Case of the Eaton Medallion

System changes, papers misfiled, or institutional knowledge lost as people retire or leave for a new position all equate in the occasional mystery box. This is not to say that no one knew that the materials were in the archive–but that the context around them is hard to find. Such was the case this past year with a medallion in a box with a handwritten label to identify it.

When these legacy materials pop up sometimes it takes a little work to figure out the story behind the material and why someone, whenever the material was accepted by Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA), thought that it fit our collecting scope. Sometimes that is a short mystery–and I am able to find the context quickly–and other times the context remains an unsolved one.

With this particular medallion, all I had to start with was the medallion and the label. The medallion a gold rope chain and the actual medallion: a cutout of Beardshear Hall that said “Iowa State University” on the front and “Office of the President Iowa State University of Science and Technology” on the back. On the box the label “Eaton” and “Alumni Association.” The box the medallion was in had no other papers or explanations. In checking our intake paperwork–correspondence with donors or departments, accession records, collection files–nothing stood out to me as clearly relating to this medallion. I tried a Google search but didn’t find anything either.

The front of the commemorative Presidential Medallion. Inauguration small medallion, 1987, 2, Box: 22, Artifact: XXXX.0143.001. Gordon P. Eaton papers, RS 2/12. Special Collections and University Archives.

The back of the commemorative Presidential Medallion. Inauguration small medallion, 1987, 2, Box: 22, Artifact: XXXX.0143.001. Gordon P. Eaton papers, RS 2/12. Special Collections and University Archives.

Resigned, I set about making an “orphan” accession record. This will state what we do and do not know about the collection material we found, and it is given a different type of accession number. If someday more context about the material or, even better, its accession record, is found, we’ll connect the two and have a fuller picture. If we don’t find the information, the orphan accession record allows us a framework to move forward with the materials as we would with a typical accession. In talking to one of my colleagues about the material as I was getting ready to accession the medallion, I shared that I thought it likely something relating to Eaton’s arrival or departure from the university but that I lacked the information to provide that context definitely.

And that–that was the key she needed to start unlocking the rest of the mystery. In her much more successful Google search, she found this biographical dictionary entry on President Eaton. In better news, the entry mentioned the medallion! Except this seemed a bit small to be the medallion mentioned was given to President Eaton. But I had a place to start.

The next place I looked was within the collection itself. The dictionary entry had mentioned his installation ceremony, and we had several folders in the Gordon P. Eaton papers relating to the ceremony. Within those, I found multiple mentions of smaller medallions that were given out as part of the ceremony, including within the event program itself. This information clarified what the medallions were, who had ordered them, and how they fit into the larger inauguration.

Notes from the Inauguration Committee mentioning the medallions; Inauguration arrangements and notes, 1986-1987, 2, Box: 19, Folder: 31. Gordon P. Eaton papers, RS 2/12. Special Collections and University Archives.

The committee’s report on the ceremony included a section about both the large and small medallions. Inaugural Committee minutes and report, 1987, 2, Box: 19, Folder: 42. Gordon P. Eaton papers, RS 2/12. Special Collections and University Archives.

The stationary for the ceremony also included the medallion. Inaugural Committee minutes and report, 1987, 2, Box: 19, Folder: 42. Gordon P. Eaton papers, RS 2/12. Special Collections and University Archives.

The program’s description of the medallion and what it was to represent. Inauguration program, 1987, 2, Box: 19, Folder: 38. Gordon P. Eaton papers, RS 2/12. Special Collections and University Archives.

Mystery solved! Right? Well yes and no. There is enough information to say that this artifact should be a part of the Gordon P. Eaton papers. However, some of the contextual information of how the medallion got to SCUA remained uncertain. Did President Eaton, or more likely his office, give us the medallions or was it the Alumni Association? Did we get them right after the ceremony, during President Eaton’s time at ISU, or after he left? Unfortunately, this information has currently proved to be more ephemeral and wasn’t solved in looking at the president’s papers. The medallion still got an orphan accession but it did so with much more contextual information than I was expecting to be able to provide.

It’s no Maltese Falcon, but it is available to see if you’d like, as artifact XXXX.0143.001. And for now? This case is closed.

Rare Books Highlight: Book Printed on Vellum

When teaching classes and workshops on the history of the book, we frequently get asked the question, did printers ever print books on vellum or parchment instead of paper? The answer is yes, though rarely. Thanks to a purchase from last year, now Special Collections and University Archives has an example to show.

Title page of Regula Fratrum Minorum Sancti Francisci, call number BX3604 .A2 1601x.

Parchment is specially prepared untanned skins of animals. Though in casual conversation, “vellum” and “parchment” are used interchangeably, vellum technically refers to a particular type of parchment made from calfskin. Paper, on the other hand, is made from matted and pressed fibers, usually of some vegetal matter. Paper from the 1450s through about 1800 was generally made from linen or cotton rag fibers. During the 1800s it became more commonly made from wood pulp.

Most books were printed on paper, while vellum or parchment was most commonly used for medieval manuscripts. Reference sources indicate that printing on vellum or parchment was uncommon due to both the cost and the nature of the material, but that early printers might occasionally print a few copies of a book on vellum as a luxury item or for a special purpose. Turning through the pages of our new book, you can see evidence of why vellum was not as good for printing as paper in the way the ink offsets onto the opposing pages.

In this opening, we can see how the ink has offset from the printed page on the left to the blank page on the right.

Another interesting feature of the book is the covers which are fragments of a leaf of a famous early European history of the world, Liber Chronicarum, printed in 1493, and commonly referred to as the Nuremberg Chronicle. This is known as a printer’s waste or bookseller’s waste. Spoiled or extra printed sheets were frequently used in many aspects of binding, and in this case, it makes for a very attractive cover.

Front cover

Back cover

As you page through this book, you will notice handwritten numbers in the upper right corners of each right-handed page. Since the numbering starts with 396 and goes through 407, it is likely that this work was originally bound with a number of other works, and later separated and individually bound.

Handwritten page numbers show 396, 397

After all this focus on the material elements of the book, you may be wondering what the book is. The title printed on the title page is Regula Fratrum Minorum Sancti Francisci, printed in Rome in 1601. Known in English as the Rule of Saint Francis, this work governed the daily lives of the Franciscan order of monks. This item is cataloged as part of our rare book collection, and you can come to Special Collections and University Archives and ask to see it.

Adventures in Appraisal: Processing the Guy Bush papers (guest post)

This semester, SCUA had the pleasure of hosting an intern attending the University of Iowa’s online Library and Information Science program. The internship lasted 120 hours, or 15 weeks, and focused on processing. Our intern, Kimber Van Heukelom, was able to process 2 individual collections during her internship, one of which she highlights in her blog post below. We greatly appreciate all the hard work Kimber did, and welcome future interns!
– Rosalie Gartner, Lead Processing Archivist

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I’ll remember a lot of things about my semester-long practicum with SCUA where I processed two collections, created finding aids, and learned about everything from accessioning and donor relations to preservation and stacks management. But one of the biggest lessons I’ll take with me is just how challenging appraising a collection can be. In the field of archives, appraisal refers to the process of evaluating records for their permanent historical value. In other words, it’s deciding what to keep and what to let go. Processing the Guy Bush Papers (MS-0720) was an enlightening exercise in this core archival responsibility.

Kimber processing the Guy Bush Papers, MS-0720

Bush was a livestock expert and farmer whose lengthy career in agriculture spanned more than three decades. After operating a livestock farm until 1925, he joined the staff of the weekly farm journal Wallaces’ Farmer as an assistant editor in Des Moines, Iowa. Later, he served as a regional director of information for the United States Department of Agriculture and as agricultural attaché to Brazil and Cuba.

Headshot of Guy Bush

One of the most memorable chapters in his career was a year-long sojourn to the Soviet Union. In 1930, he was commissioned by the Soviet government to establish and manage its largest swine farm at Millerovo near the Ukrainian border. I found this photo nestled in an envelope with others in a folder from this time period. Even though it did not include any helpful identifying information, I kept it because of the link between what’s pictured and the nature of Bush’s work in Millerovo.

Photograph of a swine farm

As I processed the collection, I came across these nostalgic 1931 issues of Wallaces’ Farmer. They seem like worthy pieces of history to retain, right? But not so fast. Archives don’t typically keep widely distributed publications like these. Even if we did, these timeworn journals would not survive much longer due to their disintegrated condition.

Archivists Note: Wallaces’ Farmer fits within our collecting scope and Parks Library holds several copies. Any copies found within this collection were removed because they were duplicates and, as Kimber mentioned, in poor condition.

Wallaces’ Farmer publication

However, this Wallaces’ Farmer article written by Bush about his experiences working on Soviet Farm 22 is worth keeping within the collection. Bush produced a series of four articles for the publication. We have three of them in the collection, but you won’t find the originals, which were literally falling apart. Instead, we made good-quality photocopies on archival paper that will stand up better to handling—and the test of time when properly stored.

Article from Wallaces’ Farmer

When Bush returned to the United States in 1931, he wasted no time hitting the farm speaking circuit, traveling across Iowa to share his thoughts on the Russian model of swine production. Flyers like these drew flocks of farmers interested in hearing his first-hand account of the “troubles and triumphs” of Russian peasants under the collective farming plan implemented by Joseph Stalin. Without feed, buildings, or trained laborers to care for the hogs when he arrived in Millerovo, the conditions were dire.

Flier for Guy Bush event

A January 18, 1931 letter from Bush to his wife Louise describes his frustration with the lack of resources and his concern about the continuous outbreaks of hog cholera that claimed nine of out 10 hogs’ lives. He lauded the efforts of the female employees, in particular, for their ability to save the lives that they did. Correspondence comprises most of the Guy Bush Papers collection. While it was necessary to remove some letters that were not historically relevant to Bush’s work, most provided a rich source of details about his career in the Soviet Swine Trust as well as the Department of Agriculture. In addition to the original letters exchanged between Guy and Louise, we have several easy-to-read transcriptions of them that were created by their son, Guy Bush, Jr., a noted entomologist and evolutionary biologist who donated this collection to SCUA.

Archivists Note: Correspondence removed from this collection includes duplicates, letters discussing mundane matters such as travel arrangements and reimbursements, etc. These types of transactional correspondence are commonly removed from archival collections and do not represent any major work Bush was involved in.

1931 letter from Bush to his wife

After a couple days of sifting through folders of correspondence, administrative files, newspaper clippings, and photographs, I could feel the angst over removing items subside as I became more familiar with the collection and which records provided the most context for Bush’s agricultural career. But never fear, there is still a wealth of enlightening finds in the Guy Bush Papers collection. We hope you will come in and explore this rich chapter in the history of Iowa—and Soviet—agriculture!

Relive the Rhythm: Cyclone Marching Band Oral Histories Now Accessible to All

High-step into the rich history of the Iowa State University Cyclone Football ‘Varsity’ Marching Band (ISUCF’V’MB) and State Storm with the newly available Cyclone Marching Band Oral Histories. This collection preserves decades of personal stories and experiences from band members, directors, and others associated with the band, celebrating a unique aspect of Iowa State’s student life for all to explore.

Screenshot of the Cyclone Marching Band Oral Histories landing page.

The Cyclone Marching Band Oral History Project captures how societal changes and campus culture have shaped the lives of its members over the years. Through these interviews, you’ll hear firsthand about the challenges, triumphs, and traditions that have defined the band and shaped the essence of what it means to be a part of this exceptional community. These oral histories complement the existing archive of manuscripts, photographs, and memorabilia in Iowa State’s Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) Cyclone Marching Band records and Alumni Band Association records, offering a deeper, more personal connection to the band’s enduring history and a unique facet of Iowa State’s heritage.

This project would not have been possible without the dedication of volunteers in partnership with University Library staff and students. From interviewees who shared their stories to the volunteer interviewers who captured them, each contributor played a vital role in preserving this invaluable part of history. Their collective efforts honor the Cyclone Marching Band’s legacy and ensure it remains accessible to future generations. To everyone who made this project possible—thank you for your passion and hard work!

Screenshot of our dedicated volunteer interviewers, Dean Brand (left) and Jay Chapman (right).

Easily accessible online, anyone can search, browse, and listen to these interviews. Whether you’re diving in for academic research, personal nostalgia, or simply out of curiosity, the Cyclone Marching Band Oral Histories offer a compelling look at how the band has evolved over time and impacted those who’ve been a part of it. We encourage you to share clips and interviews, citing “Courtesy of Iowa State University Special Collections and University Archives,” to celebrate this history with others.

Visit the Cyclone Marching Band Oral Histories today and let the stories of music, tradition, and community transport you through time, connecting you to Iowa State’s storied past and the enduring legacy of its marching band.

Costume inspiration from the collections

Halloween is coming! If you are looking for costume inspiration, well, this isn’t exactly Pinterest, but you may find something of interest to look at in these images from some of our historical costume, dress, and fashion collections.

First up, for Renaissance faire enthusiasts, check out some of these costumes from Thomas Hales Lacy’s volumes for men and women on Costumes, historical, national, & dramatic from 1865 and 1868:

And, if you are feeling something more fantastical, Lacy also offers these:

Harley Quinn more your style? Check out these Harlequin costumes and others from the 1925 French publication Carnaval: le defilé des masques:

Have a deck of cards? Take inspiration from these two center women from this 1866 drawing of masquerade costumes from the Mary A. Barton fashion illustration collection (RS 21/7/9):

Spooky Tales from Special Collections and University Archives

As we near Halloween, I decided to peek into the Special Collections and University Archives to see what spooky things might lie within to get me in the spirit of the season. As I researched collections using CARDinal (Cyclone Archival Research Database), I was surprised to learn how many Halloween-related materials SCUA held. There were familiar items, such as photographs of costumes from different departments around campus and several examples of Halloween party cards in scrapbooks, primarily from the 1920s-1940s.

Halloween scrapbook page from the
Doris Durey George Papers, 1918-25. RS 21/7/98.

But there were also materials I’d never encountered before, such as several collections featuring spooky tales. These stories are the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit and fit any Halloween mood, as they include chilling fiction stories, silly comic strips, and even eerie true tales from Iowa State University and beyond.

If you prefer to avoid getting too scared during Halloween, I recommend checking out our Underground Comix Collection. I found several unserious and silly comics that still provide the vibes needed for the season. The first comic I encountered was in two issues, titled Halloween Comix from 1981-1982. They are quick to read and are only a few pages long. But what stands out about these two comics are the intricate artwork of skeletons and pumpkins, and the detailed spooky scenes throughout the pages. The next comic I found is titled Monster Mash #1 from 1983. Like Halloween Comix, it doesn’t take very long to get through, as it’s only a few pages long. However, what is notable about Monster Mash #1 is the cast of characters. Each page features a different well-known monster encountering everyday situations, with a silly caption written below the scene.

Pages from Halloween Comix No. 1 and 2 and Monster Mash #1, MS 636, box 53 and 56.

For those interested in creepier fiction tales, or older stories, SCUA has you covered. The archive has two pocket-sized books estimated to have been published between 1920 and 1929. The books are by Rudyard Kipling, author of the Jungle Book. The first book, The Vampires and Other Verses, is a collection of gothic poems, including one of his most well-known poems, “The Vampire.” The second book, The Phantom Rickshaw and My Own True Ghost Story, is a collection of eerie ghost tales exploring love, obsession, and supernatural themes.

The Phantom Rickshaw and My Own True Ghost Story (PR4854 P45 1920), The Vampire and Other Verses (PR4854 V3 1920).

If fiction stories are not your thing, you might want to check out one of our collections that features “true” stories of hauntings and other spooky happenings. One such collection is a book titled Scenes Beyond the Grave: Trance of Marietta Davis by Rev. J.L. Scott. SCUA’s copy of the book was published in 1856 and recounts Marietta Davis’s 9-day coma in which she “visited” heaven. Marietta Davis was a young woman who went into a deep slumber that lasted nine days; upon waking, she told those present of the religious visions she had experienced during her coma. Just seven months after her visions, Marietta Davis died. After waking from the coma, Marietta predicted her date of death accurately, which spurred further interest in the visionary experience she had undergone.

Book cover of Scenes Beyond the Grave: Trance of Marietta Davis by Rev. J.L. Scott, BT848 S45 1856.

Title page of Scenes Beyond the Grave: Trance of Marietta Davis by Rev. J.L. Scott, BT848 S45 1856.

We also have more local “true” tales from Iowa State University in the Traditions and Myths of Iowa State Records, RS 0/16/1. This collection features a folder dedicated to ghost stories from around the Iowa State campus. Some notable stories are about the ghost of Fredrica Shattuck haunting Fisher Theater. Students report hearing disembodied voices and seeing her wheelchair moving around. Other stories are about the Farmhouse Museum, including several sightings of the ghost of the daughter of former president Charles Curtiss being seen sneaking out of a window in the museum. There are also reports of lights turning themselves on, curtains being opened, and, in one instance, flower petals spread out on a bed in the Civil War Room when no one was around. There are also spooky stories involving Linden Hall, such as ghost sightings of football players getting ready for games, seeing ghosts in mirrors, and faucets turning on by themselves in the bathrooms.

News stories about the ghosts at Iowa State University. RS 0/16/1, box 1 folder 1.

While I could continue talking about the ghost stories from around campus and the spooky stories beyond, I invite you to see them yourself. The Special Collections and University Archives are located on the 4th floor of Parks Library and are open Monday through Friday from 10 am-4 pm. We hope to see you there…if you dare!