Nancy Ford Cones
Nancy Ford Cones (1861-1962) was a photographer in the early twentieth-century from Loveland, Ohio. Her models were often her family and friends and her photographs relate to everyday life. Most of her photographs reflect an older age of America and its innocence. Cones was also the 1902 winner of a Kodak photography contest. This exhibit displays the beautiful artistry of Cones' photography and is located in the lobby of the Paul Laurence Dunbar Library.
Three Cups of Tea
This exhibit features the 2009-2010 Wright State University Common Text, Three Cups of Tea. For more information about the book and its author, Greg Mortenson, visit the exhibit located in the Group Study Room in Dunbar Library. More information and resources about the common text is available in the Wright State Common Text Research Guide.
Brain Games Collection
Interested in a break that will keep your mind active? Visit the collection of games available in the Group Study Room on the first floor of Dunbar Library.
Vincent Apple Patents Collection
Vincent G. Apple was Dayton's most prolific inventor. Born in 1874, Apple founded the Dayton Electric and Manufacturing Company, the Apple Electric Company and Apple Laboratories, all based in Dayton, Ohio. In 1902, he introduced what is thought to be the first electric self-starter for an automobile. The following year, Apple built a magneto ignition system which was used by the Wright Brothers in their "Wright Flyer." He was a pioneer in automobile electric lighting systems, introducing his tungsten bulbs in 1907. Vincent G. Apple received more than 350 patents during his lifetime. The exhibit features items from the Vincent Apple Patent Collection, recently acquired by the Special Collections & Archives Department. To learn more about Vincent G. Apple, visit the Miami Valley Inventors Historical Database created by the Patents and Trademarks Depository at Wright State University Libraries.
Banned and Challenged Books
Banned Books Week is September 26-October 3rd. Are you a reader of banned books? Visit this display in the Group Study Room of Dunbar Library and see how many challenged books you have read.
Woodland Cemetery
Woodland Cemetery is one of the nation’s five oldest garden cemeteries and a unique cultural, botanical and educational resource in the heart of Dayton, Ohio. Woodland Cemetery was founded in 1841. Learn about its long history and importance in the community through the photographs and documents in this exhibit. The Woodland Cemetery Collection was recently accessioned into the holdings of the Special Collections and Archives Department. The exhibit is located in the Dunbar Library lobby.
Charlie Taylor
A bronze bust of Charles E. Taylor is on display near the Dunbar Library entrance. Taylor built the engine for the Wright brothers' 1903 flyer and is recognized for his achievements as the world's first airplane mechanic. The bust was presented in honor of Taylor and all aircraft mechanics by the Aircraft Maintenance Technicians Association (AMTA) in June of 2007.
Dayton Daily News: A Partnership to Preserve the Past
Special Collections and Archives holds the Dayton Daily News Archives containing millions of photographs and clippings. This exhibit features select images from the collection. The Dayton Daily News Collection will eventually be open to the public for research in the coming years, after it has been properly arranged, described and housed for long term preservation.
Wright Brothers in 1909
The Wright Brothers had a momentous year in 1909. They completed trials to sell the Military Flyer to the Army Signal Corps, demonstrated the flyer in Europe, came home to a huge two day homecoming celebration thrown by the City of Dayton, participated in the Hudson-Fulton Celebration, and started the Wright Company. The exhibit contains photos highlighting the events of 1909, and is on the 4th Floor of Dunbar Library.
School Days, School Days: School Materials from the Miami Valley Region
As students of all ages head back to school, this exhibit takes a look back on courses of study, photographs, and examples of exam questions from schools in the Miami Valley over the past century. All materials are from the collections in Special Collections and Archives, and may be viewed on the 4th floor of Dunbar Library.
General Motors Corporation: Train of Tomorrow
In May of 1947, General Motors unveiled a new diesel powered locomotive called the Train of Tomorrow. It was to be the ultra-modern passenger train of luxury for post-war America. Learn more about the Train of Tomorrow through the exhibit on the 4th floor of the Dunbar Library.