Picture by Florida State Libraries

Student 5

Word Count: 997

That I May Remember

TALLAHASSEE, FL--People often say that college is the best four years of ones life.

It is a time of self-discovery, unforgettable moments, and the beginning of lifelong

friendships. On the brink of adulthood, these memories become cherished moments of

ones life. If one attends Florida State University, there are certain memories that become
universal. An invisible tie that binds all students (regardless of their year) to their alma

mater. Whether its the first time doing the Tomahawk Chop at Doak Campbell Stadium or
jumping into Westcott Fountain on your 21st birthday, there are certain traditions that all
Seminoles share.

But what happens after the tassels are turned and the caps are thrown? What

happens to the photographs, the jackets, and the memories? For some, they go into a

cardboard box that's labeled F-S-U in red marker and placed in an atticnever to see the
light of day. This is the fate of hundreds of thousands of Florida State artifacts, but for

Commented [KV1]: Good anecdotal lead.

thousands of different photographs, yearbooks and memorabilia, they have found a new
home in a beautiful museum on-campus.

The Heritage Museum, which opened its doors in 2011, tells the history of FSU

through historical documents generated by the university and artifacts donated by alumni.
These artifacts, which range from scrapbooks to personal correspondence, are collected

through the campus-wide program Heritage Protocol. This program was the brainchild of
a group of impassioned female faculty and alumnae who put saw a need for the university

to have a database of historical documents, and sought out materials that encapsulated the
student experience.

Two branches emerged from this movement; the Heritage Protocol branch focuses

directly on student materials, which include everything from scrapbooks, memorabilia,

letterman sweaters and postcards. The other, University Archives, focuses on institutional

records, which would include financial documents, reports, newsletters and statistics. Both
share a common goal; to locate, identify, record and assist in the preservation of, and

promote knowledge about the history of Florida State University and its predecessor
institutions.

We are not the only institution that has an archives collection, Varry explains. We

are unique in that we grew our student experience and museum separate from the
archives, which has proved to be a challenge.

But how do yellowed pictures in a scrapbook help the current student experience?

Sandra Varry, the Heritage Protocol and University Archivist, believes the materials do
more than just teach undergraduates about the history of Florida State. Florida State

University has a good sense of community, Vary says. One of the ways to reinforce that

and to get students to understand their place in the history of an institution is to engage
with the past of that institution. This allows them to understand how they are creating

history during their time, while also reaching back into that history and understand how
things came to be.

Heritage Protocol and University Archives goes beyond the borders of Florida State

University. Having well-rounded archives collection allows for the public to see the Florida
States role in the development of Tallahassee.

As Archivist, our job is to acquire, preserve it, and prevent access to it with no

particular interpretation, says Varry on her role as a University Archivist.

The Heritage Museum is particularly unique to Florida State, in that very few

institutions have a museum on campus dedicated to university history. The location of the
museum is quite fitting, as Dodd Hall has been the home to the original library for the

Florida State College for Women. It has had numerous different purposes; at one point

being the home of WFSU Studios, then becoming Claude Pepper Library and finally to its
current purpose-as the home to Heritage Museum.

Since its opening, the museum has seen over 5,500 visitors. The reaction has been

positive from both students and alumni. Students love the quitet place to study, and alumni
love the space for development purposes. But Varry points out the lack of diversity that the
museum currently has. We want to make a conscious decision to feel inclusive, that
everyone can feel comfortable, engaged and feel like they belong.

On a beautiful late autumn afternoon, one can go into the museum and see the

mosaic artwork of watercolors dancing on the floor. This is due to the beautiful stain glass
windows that adorn the walls. Originally created an endow funding for the museum, each

stain glass window represents a Florida State University organization, program or people

of historical value to the institution. The stain glass windows represent everything from the
Faculty Staff Administration, Lady Seminoles to The College of Arts and Sciences. The

collection will continue to grow as the museum seeks to find organizations on campus to

recognize We would love for the Marching Chiefs to have their own window, Varry says.
Theyre such a vital and integral part of the institution.

More than anything, Heritage Protocol and University Archives seeks to preserve

the legacy of Florida State University. This legacy is rich with a diverse background that

shows not just the development of FSU and Tallahassee, but of higher education in Florida.

With its humble beginnings as the Western Seminary of Florida, to one of the most premier

Womens Colleges in the southeast, to it's current status, Varry hopes that Heritage Protocol
shows the public that It is not just FSU the football school, its so much more.

College is indeed a transformative period in the life of a young person. But rarely do

we stop and think about the legacy were living in, as well as leaving behind. When walking
through the museum, its hard not to feel a sense of awe. Youre taking classes in the same

building as this woman in this picture. Youre wearing the same colors as this random man

in this yearbook. You realize that youve become a part of something bigger than yourself. It
leaves one to question; When the tassels are turned and the caps are thrown, how will
people remember me?

Commented [KV2]: Overall, I thought that you were

focused on the angle of your article. I would like to see
more sources cited since you only quoted Varry.