by Michele Brown
In honor of the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, Cornell University’s Division of Rare and Manuscripts Collection has mounted an exhibition of Civil War manuscripts and artifacts.
Students reading the original copy of the Gettysburg Address.
Our own original copy is currently on display until November 22.
Our original copy of the Gettysburg Address is guarded at all times while on display.
Lance Heidig has been writing an informative blog about the materials in the exhibit.
When the original copy is not on display, a facsimile is in its place. Michele Hamill, Paper and Photo Conservator of the Conservation Unit directed the rehousing and display of both the facsimile and the original. Read her excellent blog posts describing the journey and installation of “our” Gettysburg. Listen to her interview with WHCU.
Before the exhibit was installed, other staff members from the Conservation Unit restored several items now in exhibition cases located in the Rotunda and in front of the Reading Room. Pat Fox constructed the cradles and supports for the materials.
The covers of this pamphlet were torn.
We like our materials to look their best.
The tears and losses were reinforced with toned Japanese tissue.
Some materials were structurally at risk.
The spine of this slave ledger was torn, causing the back board to become detached.
It’s important to retain the original character of the item.
The ledger now has new spine leather, but the original spine was retained and reattached.
The exhibit will be up until December 22. Please stop by or view the online exhibition.