Blog Archives

1777 American Revolution, Long Island Letter Acquired

Assemblyman Steven Englebright and Maria Hoffman examining letter in Special Collections.

Special Collections has acquired a Revolutionary War-era letter (1777) authored by Samuel Blachley Webb (1753-1807), an aide and secretary to George Washington. The acquisition was made possible through a grant awarded by Assemblyman Steven Englebright. Days after this writing, Webb

Posted in History, Special Collections & University Archives

From the Archives: A Library Transforms (Part II)

Frank Melville, Jr. Memorial Library, 1971

The expansion of Frank Melville, Jr. Memorial Library, which began in May 1970, was completed by 1972. Branch libraries for Chemistry, Earth and Space Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Engineering were located in their respective academic buildings. Holdings in campus libraries totaled about 700,000 volumes (today, there

Posted in Special Collections & University Archives

New online exhibition features Long Island artist Charles Henry Miller

New York and Long Island Landscapes, 1889

An online exhibition presented by Special Collections showcases the works of noted Long Island artist Charles Henry Miller. Currently featured on the university’s homepage, Special Collections’ rare set of “New York and Long Island Landscapes” is available for viewing. Comprised

Posted in Special Collections & University Archives

From the Archives: Computer Science at SBU

Computer Science building rendering, 1971

On July 1, a grand opening celebration for the new Computer Science Building will be held. This photograph from the University Archives is a rendering of the original building, which opened in May 1971. Founded in 1969, the Computer Science Department is

Posted in Computer Science, Special Collections & University Archives

Special Collections and University Archives

Stony Brook Train Station, 1905, Robert M. Emery Long Island Rail Road Collection

Spy letters written by George Washington during the American Revolution. A history of the world published in 1493. The first map depicting Long Island as an island. Photographs of Stony Brook’s original train station. These are just a few examples

Posted in Special Collections & University Archives

From the Archives: Welcome Class of 1965

Basketball team, Stony Brook University, circa 1963-1964

From June 5-7, graduates of the Class of 1965 will visit campus in celebration of their 50th class reunion. Special Collections and University Archives will host an open house on Saturday, June 6 for the alums, featuring an exhibit of photographs,

Posted in Special Collections & University Archives

From the Archives: A Library Transforms (Part I)

Photograph of the Melville Library taken on June 2, 1970.

45 years ago, in June of 1970, the transformation of the Melville Library was underway. The original building opened in 1964 with seating for 700 students. The design was modular; the intent was to increase the footprint of the building to

Posted in Special Collections & University Archives

Food and China’s Silk Road: Influences to and from the West

“Food and China’s Silk Road: Influences to and from the West,” a sold-out event co-sponsored by the University Libraries, was held Wednesday, May 6, in the Charles B. Wang Center. An engaged and enthused audience of students, faculty/staff, and community members

Posted in Library Outreach, Special Collections & University Archives

Rare 1897 Map of Long Island Acquired

The Standard Road Map of Long Island, 1897

A very rare, perhaps the first, dedicated road map of Long Island from the earliest days of the automobile has been acquired by Special Collections of the University Libraries. Published by Hyde & Company in June 1897, The Standard Road

Posted in Maps, Special Collections & University Archives

Papers of naturalist Robert Cushman Murphy

Robert Cushman Murphy

Robert Cushman Murphy (1887-1973) was an early conservationist who concentrated his efforts on Long Island and internationally. He conducted research on DDT, which influenced Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, and participated in lawsuits to ban the aerial spraying of the pesticide.

Posted in Biology, Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Special Collections & University Archives