Carolina’s history shines in ‘Priceless Gems’ exhibit
Explore more than two dozen artifacts on display at Wilson Library through the end of May.
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While some of the items in the North Carolina Collection’s current exhibit in Wilson Library are more than 200 years old, there are common themes throughout that never seem to age.
Case in point: the earliest known letter written home by two brothers who were students at the University in 1795, making the timeless request for money to help them get by.
It’s one of 25 coveted treasures currently on display in the Priceless Gems exhibit, open to the public through May 30. From the original handwritten lyrics for “Hark the Sound” to a helmet once used by the University’s former parachute club, the items weave a story of the University’s past so that even the most devoted Tar Heels may learn something new.
“People are asking for more UNC history content from us,” said Linda Jacobson, keeper of the North Carolina Collection. “This is an exhibit that allowed us to incorporate unique items from our special collections that tell important stories about Carolina but may not be included in other exhibits throughout the year. We have five themes in the exhibit: the first 100 years, student life, athletics, notable Tar Heels and student organizations, and this allows us to highlight a diverse number of stories that speak to different topics and time periods in history.”
The items come from a variety of sources, from personal collections to accidental discoveries in grandparents’ attics. One of the exhibit’s most treasured – and smallest – artifacts was found in an unremarkable envelope labeled “1982 net,” tucked away within a slew of hand-drawn plays and other items donated by legendary basketball coach Dean Smith.
“It’s like this holy grail, this piece of the 1982 National Championship net from Dean Smith’s papers,” said Biff Hollingsworth, collecting and public programming archivist. “This is his piece that he cut off of the net and kept for himself.”
“We chose these items because so many of them speak to the student experience here,” said Jacobson. “The change in demographics over the years in the student body, notable Tar Heels, items that are related to stories that are famously connected to Carolina. Many of these have little monetary value, but each and every one of these stories is as important as the next high-priced, high-value item that we have here in Wilson Special Collections Library. And every single student, professor and staff member that comes through here is part of this story.”
