UND Special Collections unveils new exhibit commemorating John F. Kennedy’s visit to campus

Dan Sauerwein

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

9-19-2013

Campus Unit

Chester Fritz Library

Abstract

A new exhibit focusing on the upcoming Sept. 25 milestone anniversary of John F. Kennedy's visit to the University of North Dakota, is now up and running here.

Titled "Camelot in North Dakota: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of John F. Kennedy's Visit to UND", the exhibit features photographs, copies of letters, newspaper articles and other items that are part of the University Archives, which is housed in the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections at the Chester Fritz Library at UND.

Curt Hanson, head of UND Special Collections, said he intends the exhibit to be about a yearlong display.

Among the items in the exhibit are several University Archives photographs, as well as photocopies of articles from the Grand Forks Herald and Dakota Student. Also featured are convocation programs from the Kennedy files in University Publications and letters between former UND President George Starcher and President Kennedy's staff from the President's Office collection.

Kennedy visited UND on Sept. 25, 1963, as part of a larger twelve-state tour across the nation. While in Grand Forks, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree and spoke to more than 10,000 spectators in the UND Fieldhouse (now Hyslop Sports Center) and thousands outside about the importance of conservation. Less than two months after his visit, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on Nov. 22, stunning the campus and the nation. Kennedy's visit to UND also is commemorated through a digital archive of photos, speech transcripts and audio.

The exhibit is open to viewing during the normal business hours, Monday-Tuesday and Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday 8 a.m.-9 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

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