Memorabilia Displays Tell JMU Stories Through the Years

From: Public Affairs

September 25, 2007

HARRISONBURG — Photographs, text and memorabilia capturing moments big and small from James Madison University's first 100 years make up a rotating series of displays on exhibit at the campus and Massanutten Regional Library in downtown Harrisonburg through May 2008.

Part of the university's centennial commemoration, the six displays offer the public glimpses into the enormous changes that have occurred since the school's founding on March 14, 1908. The thematic displays are:


  • Academics Through the Years
  • The Arts Through the Years
  • Athletics Through the Years
  • Campus Life Through the Years
  • The Campus Through the Years
  • Leadership Through the Years

From historical photographs of each individual who has served JMU as president to lighthearted snapshots of beanie-wearing freshman students, the memorabilia in each display tells a story that is part of JMU's development from the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg to today's James Madison University. Each display is composed of five panels describing in text and photographs the activities in the subject area during the administration of one of JMU's five presidents, a 5-by-8-foot banner depicting images from different eras in JMU's history and a display case showcasing historical artifacts.

The displays will be on exhibit at the following locations through Oct. 19. The displays will then rotate to new locations:

  • Warren Hall lobby — The Arts
  • Carrier Library main lobby — Academics
  • ISAT/CS Building main lobby — Athletics
  • Festival Conference and Student Center lower level outside the Madison Art Collection (Room 2102) — Campus Life
  • Memorial Hall, Entrance B — The Campus
  • Massanutten Regional Library, corridor off the main lobby — Leadership

For the complete schedule for the rotating displays and information about the many centennial-related events, check the JMU Centennial Celebration Web site at http://www.jmu.edu/centennialcelebration/calendar.shtml.

Public Affairs contact: Janet Smith, 540-568-8008 or smithjl@jmu.edu.

# # #