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Special Collections Highlights Debs Collection (September 28)

Special Collections staffer, Dennis Vetrovec, and visitor, Cathy McGuire

On Saturday September 28, the Debs Foundation sponsored numerous events leading up to the Debs Award Dinner. This included special Saturday access to Special Collections’ Debs Collection.  Special Collections staffer Dennis Vetrovec chose many unique items from the Collection to display and staffed the open hours from 1pm – 4pm. Based on the reaction of the many people who took advantage of this opportunity, he chose well. People from all around the U.S. (California, North Dakota, Illinois, etc.) spent time poring over materials that included:

  • Photographs
  • Editorial Cartoons
  • Records from the National Archives, including court cases
  • Postcards
  • Correspondence
  • Proceedings of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
  • Magazine of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen (Debs was a contributor and editor)
  • Manuscript of BLF membership written by Debs in part
  • Journals contemporary with the creation of the Debs Foundation
  • Leftist newspapers like the Appeal to Reason and clippings

middle: Michelle Morahn, Kate Debs researcher and Debs Foundation Secretary

In addition, two cases focused on Seymour Stedman, Debs’ lawyer and running mate, and David Karsner, Debs’ contemporary biographer.

Debs Collection materials displayed in the Cordell Dictionary Room
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October 20: Debs Collection on View

Following the showing of the documentary “At the River I Stand” and q/a from Debs Foundation Award winner, civil rights/union activist William “Bill” Lucy, items from the Debs Collection were on display in Special Collections. Special Collections Department Chair and Debs Foundation Board member, Cinda May, was on hand to discuss the items.