Halloween Traditions

Barker Hall / Buell Armory, old gymnasium, Halloween party -- Nollau photographic print collection 1998ua0001:167_0008

Early students at UK were a rowdy bunch. "Town and Gown" relations often suffered in the wake of practical jokes or pranks which got a little out of hand. In the Board of Trustees minutes from December 11, 1906, President James K. Patterson recalls his surprise on November 1st to learn that "some of the students had endeavored to obstruct the street car service and had thus come into collision with the police, that a riotous demonstration had occurred on the grounds of Patterson Hall ... Six or eight of those participating in the riotous proceedings were arrested ... Their trial was postponed for ten days pending the recovery of a policeman said to have been seriously injured by stones thrown by the rioters."

However, it was not until the late 1920s that the school instituted a Halloween Dance in an effort to curb the annual displays of violence and destruction.

[DAS and JC]

Halloween Fun -- Underwood and Underwood photographic collection, 1913-1915 80PA103:0138

Couple in costume -- James Edwin "Ed" Weddle photographic collection, 1948-1981 1997AV27_0017

Off to the races

The fall meet (October 3-25) at Keeneland kicked off Friday, marking 72 years of thoroughbred horse racing at the track. Keeneland was founded in 1935 and began spring and fall racing meets in 1936. Set in the middle of horse farms and rolling bluegrass hills, Keeneland remains a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

Keeneland clings to tradition with the call for the races, paddock walks, tailgating, and the ivy covered clubhouse, but has conceded to some changes in recent years including hiring an announcer for races, and installing a new all-weather Polytrack surface to reduce injuries to horses.

-- JC

Help celebrate Archives Month in Kentucky!

This year to celebrate Archives Month 2008, the University of Kentucky's Archives has several virtual exhibits on display at the Hub http://www.uky.edu/Libraries/lib.php?lib_id=17 in Young Library. This year's exhibits include, "Dogs of the Twentieth Century" and "Inside Views." There are even more exhibits on display - please visit them if you are in Lexington. Other events happening around the state can be viewed at the Kentucky Archives Month web site http://archivesmonth.ky.gov/calendar.htm.

American Archives Month is a collaborative effort by professional organizations and repositories around the nation to highlight the importance of records of enduring value. Archivists are professionals who assess, collect, organize, preserve, maintain control of, and provide access to information that has lasting value, and they help people find and understand the information they need in those records.