Exhibits

1966 Game of the Century

Exhibit that highlights the November 11, 1966 football game between Michigan State University and Notre Dame.  Included are photographs from the game, the cover of the football program, and a video that documents the 50th Anniversary Celebration with former football players from that historic game!

1978-1979 MSU Men's Basketball Team

The 1978-1979 MSU Men's Basketball team, coached by Jud Heathcote, won the NCAA Division I championship. The team was co-captained by Magic Johnson and Greg Kelser.

A Time to Celebrate: Commencement through the Years

An exhibit featuring commencement programs, photographs, and audio and video of commencement events.

Alumni Memorial Chapel

A history of the Alumni Memorial Chapel and included are lists created by the archivist that describe the stones found in the chapel, the titles and layout of the stained glass windows, and a list of names of the fallen MSU soldiers that are engraved on the chapel walls.

Anti-Vietnam War Sentiments at MSU

Opposition to American involvement in the Vietnam War took many forms at Michigan State University, including peace marches, teach-ins, protests, and distribution of literature. This exhibit covers Anti-Vietnam War Sentiments at MSU from 1965 to 1972.

Aquamania: MSU Green Splash

The Green Splash was a women's honorary swimming club on campus. Formally organized in 1927, the Green Splash developed as a culmination of the activities of the Women's Life Saving Corps, established in the early 1920s.

Barnett Rosenberg

An exhibit highlighting Barnett Rosenberg, his research, and the discovery of cisplatin.

Beaumont Tower

This exhibit covers the history of the collapse of College Hall, construction of Beaumont Tower, the addition of bells, the silence of the bells, rededication of the Beaumont Tower bells, and Tower Guard.

Campus Legends and Myths Surrounding the MSU Campus

This exhibit highlights the myths and legends that are associated with Michigan State University.

Campus Newspapers

MSU has had a number of publications over the years. This exhibit provides links to a number of the publications

Cancelled 1943 Football Season

This exhibit highlights the cancelled 1943 Football season.

Celebrating 100 Years of 4-H in Michigan: 1908–2008

A brief history of 4-H, a list of collections at the University Archives & Historical Collections featuring 4-H history, and images from those collections.

Civil War Sesquicentennial

The American Civil War influenced Michigan Agricultural College. The years between 1861 and 1865 proved to be some of the hardest for the college. Enrollment rates dropped because of the war, financial problems were arising, and MAC was fighting to retain the Morrill Land Grant that ensured the permanence of the college. Read more about MAC's role in the Civil War.

Class Gifts at Michigan State

A list and description of Class Gifts through the years at Michigan State University.

College Hall

A history of the first building on campus, College Hall. Read about how it was poorly built, the problems it presented for the professors, how alumni wanted to preserve it, and how the walls came tumbling down.

College of Human Medicine

An exhibit highlighting the history of the College of Human Medicine from its founding in 1966.

College of Osteopathic Medicine

This exhibit presents some images and sounds from the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Cooperative Extension

An exhibit of the Cooperative Extension office of Michigan State University

Dance Cards

This exhibit displays dance cards given as favors at MSU dances and balls

Dick Estell

A brief history of Dick Estell who worked for WKAR.

Dormitory Life

The first one-hundred years of students living on campus.

Early Women of M.A.C.

A look at the first three decades of classes, activities, and landmark moments for women on campus.

East Lansing Centennial: 1907–2007

History of East Lansing's formation in 1907.  The exhibit was originally created for the city's centennial celebration in 2007.

Forest H. Akers: Not Just a Clever Name for a Golf Course

The name Forest Akers is a familiar one at Michigan State University. But few are familiar with the man behind the clever name.

Freshmen Beanies

The wearing of beanies by freshmen men was a tradition for many decades at Michigan State.

From Campus to Compound: Michigan State University during World War I - A View of the Great War from the M.A.C. Record

When the United States entered World War I in 1917, Michigan Agricultural College was ready to serve in the cause from enlisted students leaving campus to the military arriving on campus to provide training. When the Spanish influenza reached campus, M.A.C. provided medical care for those affected. Trace the steps of students and faculty, soldiers and nurses during this critical time in American history.

From Corsets to Philanthropy: The Warren Featherbone Company

The Warren Featherbone Company of Three Oaks, Michigan produced materials for women's fashion, including bustles, bust extenders, featherbone-stiffened fabrics, ribbon, and elastic.

Gone But Not Forgotten: Campus Buildings That No Longer Exist

An exhibit about campus buildings that have been demolished or destroyed.

History of Boxing at MSU

This exhibit covers the history of MSU boxing from when boxing first appeared on campus, when it was played as an intramural sport only and then became an intercollegiate sport, and the end of boxing as a varsity sport. Also highlighted are a few notable boxers. 

History of Campus Energy Use

An exhibit about the history of energy use at MSU including the power plants on campus.

Home Economics: Progress of a Course, 1895–2005

History of home economics at MSU from 1895 to 2005.

International Students at MSU

Michigan State University has a long, rich history of welcoming International Students to its campus.

Leonard V. Falcone: MSU's Musical Pioneer

An exhibit about Leonard V. Falcone, the Director of the MSU bands from 1927 to 1967.

Life at M.A.C. in 1886

 A brief summary of what life was like at M.A.C. in 1886.

Louis A. Wolfanger Slides

This exhibit highlights the large collection of glass slides that documented agriculture and life in various countries taken by Louis A. Wolfanger.

Lyman Briggs

An exhibit about Lyman Briggs, an alumnus of Michigan State University.

Martin Luther King Jr. Visits MSU

On Thursday, February 11, 1965, more than 4,000 students and community residents attended a campus visit and lecture by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Michigan State University Traditions

A description of various traditions including class rivalry, dating, and J-Hop.

MSU’s Residence Halls and their Namesakes

Information about MSU's current residence halls and the people for whom they were named.

O. L. Rydland Photographs

In the 1930s, Lansing native Oyvid L. Rydland traveled to Michigan's Upper Peninsula to take photographs of the mining operations.

Onn Mann Liang

An exhibit about MSU alumnus Onn Mann Liang, an international student from China in the 1920s.

Paul Schiff, Academic Freedom, and the Office of the Ombudsperson

This exhibit explores the Paul Schiff case, academic freedom at MSU, and the creation of the Office of the Ombudsperson to help students resolve conflicts with the university.

Photographing Operation Crossroads: The Perry M. Thomas Collection

This exhibit features selections from Major Perry M. Thomas's scrapbook of photographs of the nuclear bomb experiments at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands.  

President Cecil Mackey

An exhibit of President Cecil Mackey's life.

President Clifton Wharton, Jr.

An exhibit about President Clifton Wharton, Jr.

President David L. Friday (1922–1923)

An exhibit about President David L. Friday (1922–1923).

President Edgar L. Harden (1978–1979)

An exhibit about President Edgar L. Harden (1978–1979).

President Edwin Willits (1885–1889)

An exhibit about President Edwin Willits (1885–1889).

President Frank S. Kedzie (1915–1921)

An exhibit about President Frank S. Kedzie (1915–1921).

President Gordon Guyer

An exhibit covering the life of President Gordon Guyer.

President John A. Hannah (1941–1969)

An exhibit about President John A. Hannah (1941–1969).

President John DiBiaggio

This exhibit is about President John DiBiaggio's career at MSU.

President John Hannah: A Story of a Man Prior to his Presidency

This exhibit is about President John Hannah prior to his presidency at the college.

President Jonathan L. Snyder (1896–1915)

An exhibit about President Jonathan L. Snyder (1896–1915).

President Joseph R. Williams (1857-1859)

An exhibit about President Joseph R. Williams (1857-1859).

President Kenyon L. Butterfield (1924–1928)

An exhibit about President Kenyon L. Butterfield (1924–1928).

President Lewis G. Gorton (1893–1895)

An exhibit about President Lewis G. Gorton (1893–1895).

President Lewis R. Fiske (1859-1862)

An exhibit about President Lewis R. Fiske (1859-1862).

President Lou Anna K. Simon (2005–2018)

An exhibit about President Lou Anna K. Simon (2005–2018).

President M. Peter McPherson (1993–2004)

An exhibit about President M. Peter McPherson (1993–2004).

President Oscar Clute (1889–1893)

An exhibit about President Oscar Clute (1889–1893).

President Robert S. Shaw (1928–1941)

An exhibit about President Robert S. Shaw (1928–1941).

President Theophilus C. Abbot (1862–1885)

An exhibit about President Theophilus C. Abbot (1862–1885).

President Walter Adams (1969-1970)

An exhibit about President Walter Adams (1969-1970).

Ralph Turner

An exhibit highlighting Ralph Turner's work and research at Michigan State University.

REO: The Man and the Machine

An exhibit about Ransom E. Olds and his career in the automobile industry.

Sanctuary and Classroom: The Kellogg Biological Station

A short history of the Kellogg Biological Station.

Seasons of the Red Cedar River

A history of the Red Cedar River and a break down of the activities that happened either on or around the Red Cedar River.

Spartan Rose Bowl History

An exhibit about Michigan State University's first four appearances in the Rose Bowl.

Steppin' Out—J-Hops and Dances at MSU

A short history of dances at MSU.

Student Organizations: Documenting Diversity @ MSU

Michigan State University has always had diverse student organizations. The activities of these organizations are an important part of the history of student life at the University. These texts and images highlight some of the student organizations at MSU.

The African American Presence at MSU: Pioneers, Groundbreakers, and Leaders

This exhibit highlights some of the first African American students, faculty, and administrators at MSU and their achievements.

The Kedzie Family and their Presence at MSU

This exhibit highlights members of the Kedzie Family and how they were involved with MSU.

The Rock

This exhibit covers the history of the Rock and how it has evolved over the years from a class gift to a message board.

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones played at Spartan Stadium on September 9, 1994.

The Roosevelt Elm

The Roosevelt elm was a tree planted by U.S. President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt when he visited the campus of Michigan Agricultural College during the college's semi-centennial celebration on May 31, 1907.

The Spartan Statue and his Creator

This exhibit covers the history of the Spartan Statue, aka "Sparty" and his creator, Leonard Jungwirth.

World War I Timeline 

This exhibit is composed of information from the MAC Record during the time period that the United States was involved in World War I.