Detail of the cover of the 1931 sheet music of “Father of the Land We Love” by George M. Cohan. Campus & Beyond For America 250, Here’s a Sampling of Cornell’s Historic Holdings Stories You May Like ‘Universities Are the Training Grounds for Our Democracy’ New Era, New Olin: Library Unveils Sweeping Interior Renovations Why the Hill Is Home to Amazing ‘Collections of Collections’ The University’s Revolutionary-era collections include decorative Declarations and a child’s letter to Gen. George Washington By Joe Wilensky The University Library’s holdings tied to the founding of the USA are as varied as they are historic. There’s a colorfully embroidered ribbon depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and a hand-forged English bayonet—excavated from the Saratoga battlefield where the Continental Army marked a key victory against the British—that still looks formidable, despite its patina of rust. A carefully preserved letter, addressed to Gen. George Washington and dated June 18, 1784, contains a plea from the six-year-old daughter of the Marquis de Lafayette, the French general who fought with the Americans during the Revolutionary War. She misses her “papa,” she writes in a delicate hand, and hopes he’ll come home soon. “Not only are many of the well-known Founding Fathers represented,” University Archivist Evan Earle ’02, MS ’14, says of Cornell’s holdings related to the Revolutionary War era, “but also lesser-known figures who had involvement in the dawn of the United States.” As Earle explains, it was natural that the University should amass such materials, given the academic leanings of founding president Andrew Dickson White. The collections include this life mask of the Marquis de Lafayette, created in 1785–86. Says Earle: “White’s understanding that we needed to be teaching American history, coupled with his passion for collecting, meant that building the Cornell Library holdings in this area was a focus of his since the earliest days of the University.” Most of these items—collected by White and others—are rarely on exhibit, but some can be browsed online, and they’re available to researchers. Not all date from the nation’s founding, but rather reflect on it from various periods in history. Not only are many of the well-known Founding Fathers represented, but also lesser-known figures who had involvement in the dawn of the United States. Evan Earle ’02, MS ’14, University archivist For example, the Douglas Collection of Political Americana includes some 5,500 items of campaign memorabilia and commemorative items from 1789–1960—such as a towel from the 1876 centennial year, imprinted with the full text of the Declaration of Independence and embellished with an elaborate border. The Cornell Lafayette Collection (featured in an online exhibit of materials shown in Kroch Library in 2007–08) is a massive collection on the famed military officer—a key figure in both the American and French revolutions—that includes his own sword. An embroidered ribbon from 1876 depicts the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The University Library also holds a collection of assorted correspondence from Washington, Lafayette, and Benjamin Franklin, including a draft of a letter from Franklin to Washington, then U.S. president, in which he offers his opinion of the Constitution. Cornell even possesses a lock of hair from a Founding Father: John Adams, the nation’s second president. It’s part of the Johnson family papers, donated by descendants of Adams’s family. And this summer, in honor of the nation’s semiquincentennial, Kroch Library is launching an exhibit titled “America at 250: Focus on George Washington.” Cornell even possesses a lock of hair from a Founding Father: John Adams, the nation’s second president. Housed in the library’s rotunda through January 2027, it offers a tour through the Founding Father’s life via a selection of historical manuscripts, political ephemera, and publications of the day. Featured items include a young Washington’s early drawings as a student and teenage land surveyor; his executive orders during the Revolutionary War; and writings such as a draft of his farewell address to the American people. (Big) Red, White & Blue: America 250 from the Archives A hand-forged English bayonet excavated at the site of the 1777 Battles of Saratoga. Stories You May Like ‘Universities Are the Training Grounds for Our Democracy’ New Era, New Olin: Library Unveils Sweeping Interior Renovations Ribbons marking the centennial of the Declaration of Independence and Washington’s first inauguration. A teenaged Washington sketched land-surveying tools in 1746. The Declaration’s full text and signatures decorate a centennial towel, framed by the coats of arms of the original 13 states. Young Anastasie Louise Pauline de Lafayette’s 1784 letter to Washington. An 1806 wall hanging features biographical information on the first president. The 1781 defeat at Yorktown that led to Britain's surrender, depicted in an engraving. Top: Detail of the cover of the 1931 sheet music of “Father of the Land We Love” by George M. Cohan. (All images courtesy of Rare and Manuscript Collections.) Published June 29, 2026 Comments Gary Gilbert, Class of 1971 5 Jul, 2026 My 4th great grandfather fought at the two Battles of Stillwater (Saratoga). I’m sure he would be proud to know that at least two of his 3rd great grandsons, four of his 4th great children and at least one of his 5th great grandkids all graduated from Cornell. Reply Richard Lovely, Class of 1981 5 Jul, 2026 Fascinating and wonderful description of an impressive collection. Thank you for this. Reply Melissa A Hudson 5 Jul, 2026 Thank you for posting this, Cornell! What a treasure you have. As a Daughter of Liberty, I would say these artifacts are in good hands. I enjoyed reading this yesterday, on our nation’s 250th. Reply Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. 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