There’s a lot to celebrate at Boatwright this fall, including the reopening of the renovated first and second floors. The reopening celebration and the start of classes also means there are a whole new set of exhibits to explore around the Ground floor of the library. Come grab a drink from 8:15 and explore the variety of topics and materials showcased in this first set of exhibits for the Fall 2026 semester.
Currently on display:
J.J. Lankes: Celebrate the homecoming of the ca. 1845 Lankes Washington Hoe Press by exploring this exhibit on the Rich Mouse, the last book printed on the press prior to its return to Richmond.
MUSC 228: Students in the Spring 2026 MUSC 228: Historical Musicology class taught by Dr. Jessie Fillerup took part in an imaginative historical simulation that asked them to substitute their own research and analysis for the received wisdom of scholars. Student groups chose one of two counterfactual propositions: 1) that Mozart, who died in 1791 at the age of 35, actually lived to be 70 years old, dying in 1826, or 2) that Beethoven, who started to lose his hearing near the turn of the 19th century, retained his hearing until his death in 1827. (Note: The second proposition is not a “correction” of Beethoven’s disability, but a re-imagining of his life’s experiences had he kept the hearing he was born with.) Student realized their vision of the counterfactual timeline by creating dossiers of primary sources – credible fakes — that showcase the importance of creativity and material culture in historical work.
Shubigi Rao: In partnership with UR Museums, these cases showcase materials from the Galvin Rare Book and Archives collections that echo the experiences and voices expressed in the year-long exhibit at the Harnett Museum, All Our Elephants Are in Rooms. The current two cases reflect on elephants and water as forces of nature.
Flashback 1976: As the 250th celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this year, this exhibit takes us back to the Bicentennial celebrations.
The Odyssey: With the success of the new movie, come explore the varied versions of The Odyssey available in the collections.
Autographs from the Walker Collection: Throughout their work, Rev. Wyatt Tee and Mrs. Teresa Walker collected many signed and inscribed items that are now treasured parts of their collection. Check out the various autographs and signatures to see who you might find among the mix!
Horses, Horses: Did you know we had books on horses? We do – more than you might think, and in different ways than you might guess. Take a look at some of our horse-related materials on display!
Banned Media: Come explore materials that previously have been banned or challenged for a variety of reasons.
Readin’ Writin’ ‘Rithmatic: How did students learn before Google, AI, and the internet? These works help us understand education from previous generations and centuries.
John Pleasant McCoy Collection: John Pleasant McCoy was a 1927 graduate of the University of Richmond and a published author. In May 1936, McCoy was shot by an escaped convict, an injury which left him hospitalized at the Virginia Home for Incurables from 1939 through 1948. His first novel, Swing the Big-Eyed Rabbit, was published in 1944, and his second one, Big as Life, in 1950. McCoy passed away in 1974, and his collection was donated to the University in 2024.