UNO Retrospective Photograph Exhibit now open in UNO Libraries’ Archives and Special Collections

The UNO Retrospective Photograph Exhibit documents the changes in UNO’s campus over the course of 50 years, creating an exciting series of “Then-and-Now" portraits. The initial photos span from the late 1930s until the mid 1970s with familiar buildings, like Arts and Sciences Hall, and structures no longer on campus, such as the temporary Annexes north of the Engineering Building (now the College of Public Affairs and Community Service). The updated photographs were taken in 1987, when the Durham Science Center was the most recent addition to campus. The original exhibit was created by then-employees Mike Sherer, an associate professor of photojournalism in the Communication department, and Les Valentine, University Archivist. The current 2023 exhibit was curated by Claire Du Laney, Outreach Archivist. Sherer died in January 2020 and Les Valentine retired in October 2020.

In a letter about the 1987 exhibit Sherer wrote “Out of this two month long quest for contemporary views, slightly more than 60 negatives were made. From this set, the final series you now see were selected because they show in the most dramatic fashion just how much things have changed.” Sherer also noted that taking the photos posed specific risks, including “the shot we took from 62^nd and Dodge was near suicide. [Motorists] have no respect for human life whatsoever.” Photographs within the exhibit include images of “University of Omaha Students Viewing the Laying of the Engineering Building Cornerstone (1958),” “Southwest Corner of Arts and Sciences Hall Under Construction (1937),” and “Southeast of Eppley Library (Now Eppley Administration Building) Under Construction (1954).”

In the grant proposing this project, Sherer noted that "in an attempt to provide the public with an enhanced backward glance, a few photographer/scholars are working on rephotographic survey projects. These projects generally are built around the dual goals of extensive research into an original set of images made by previous photographers and the rephotographing of scenes and location that were included in the original images...When the images from the past are displayed alongside of the contemporary views, the public is presented with dramatic evidence of how time and progress have altered scenes and situations that many people take for granted…"

Sherer also commented "in addition to this display, a series of valuable historical documents (i.e., the photographs taken today) will be produced for future members of the UNO community. By printing and processing the negatives and prints according to archival standards, the negatives and photographs produced in this current project should be in excellent condition when someone in the distant future may wish to see what the institution was like way back in 1987."

The exhibit is on display in UNO Libraries’ Archives and Special Collections, located on the first floor of Criss Library, now through June 1, 2023 and is open to the public during normal Library hours, Monday-Thursday 7AM-12AM, Friday 7AM-5PM, Saturday 9AM-5PM, Sunday 12PM-12AM.

Want to be part of your own re-photographic survey? Visit the exhibit in Archives and Special Collections and grab the photo postcards located next to the exhibit. Find the buildings on campus and hold up the postcard in front of the building, matching the features to create a seamless photo. Make sure to tag @unolibaries on social media so that we can see your photos and please bring the postcards back so others can participate!

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha Libraries

UNO Libraries fulfill the UNO mission through dynamic services, highly qualified and adaptive personnel, unique and extensive collections, and accessible learning spaces and environments. With its two locations, Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library on UNO’s Dodge Campus and in KANEKO-UNO Library located in Omaha’s Old Market, UNO Libraries provides UNO students, faculty and staff, and the Omaha community with the resources and materials needed to excel academically and professionally.