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OXFORD, Miss. – As Marvin King thumbed through an
autographed, first-edition copy of the “Narrative of the
Life and Times of Frederick Douglass” published in 1846,
the awareness that he was holding a revered document in
U.S. history gave him goose bumps.
“This is fantastic!” said King, delicately turning the
timeworn pages. “It’s awe-inspiring to be able to touch
something more than a hundred years old. Without these
important documents of the past, we wouldn’t have the
America we have today. I hope people read these and think
about their meaning.”
The assistant professor of political science at the
University of Mississippi was among the first to visit “The
Remnant Trust Anthenaeum,” a collection of 35 original and
first-edition works dealing with the topics of liberty and
dignity. Some pieces date back to 1250.
Co-sponsored by the Freedom Forum, the artifacts are on
display at the University Museum through April 29.
Due to the large number of patrons expected, “hands-on”
viewing of the collection is limited to professors,
teachers and their students and must be scheduled by
appointment, said Albert Sperath, museum director. Call
662-915-7073 and ask for Sperath or Holly Bethune, museum
educator.
Other titles of note in the collection include a
hand-lettered copy of the Magna Carta (1350), Common Sense
(1776) by Thomas Paine, City of God (1494) by St.
Augustine, Letters Concerning the English Nation (1733) by
Voltaire and Minutes of the 2nd Continental Congress
(1778).
Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation (1862),
Benjamin Franklin’s Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Document
(1787) and Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on the State of
Virginia (1801) are also featured.
Based in Jeffersonville, Ind., the Remnant Trust is a
public educational foundation that shares its actively
growing collection with colleges, universities and other
organizations for use by students, faculty, scholars and
the general public. Generally, titles are loaned for a
semester to educational entities that choose specific
displays and book a couple of years in advance, giving
adequate time to plan.
“That the Trust makes this collection available is
commendable in itself, but the encouragement to touch, feel
and read the originals is what makes this a truly unique
experience,” Sperath said. “The university owes a debt of
thanks to the Freedom Forum for underwriting this exhibit.”
The Freedom Forum, based in Washington, D.C., is a
nonpartisan foundation dedicated to free press, free speech
and free spirit for all. Renamed in 1991 under the
direction of Al Neuharth, the organization began in 1935.
Newspaper publisher Frank E. Gannett started that
foundation.
“I’m really delighted that the Freedom Forum was able to
help bring these really priceless documents to Ole Miss in
conjunction with the opening of the Center for (Southern)
Politics and Journalism,” said Charles L. Overby, a UM alum
who is CEO and chairman of the Freedom Forum. “Some of the
greatest thinkers in history have enhanced the concept of
freedom, which is often taken for granted. These documents
have enhanced freedom’s evolution.”
At least two other UM staff and faculty members have seen
the display.
“As a historian, I recognize this collection as a gold mine
of original sources,” said Charles Ross, director and
associate professor of history and African-American
studies. “Typically, no one would ever be allowed to touch
such dynamic artifacts, so this truly is a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and an invaluable
experience.”
“It’s exciting that these historic items are available to
be examined up close,” said Associate Vice Chancellor for
University Relations Jeffrey Alford. “I could actually see
the bubbles in the ornate gold-inked capital letters of the
beginning paragraphs in the Magna Carta. It’s a powerful
experience to see something so important to human history.”
Meanwhile, King remains in awe of his own encounters with
works in the Remnant Trust collection.
“This copy of the Magna Carta has lasted more than 700
years,” he said. “Remembering I actually touched it still
makes the hair on my neck stand up when I think about it.”
Located at 5th Street and University Avenue, the museum is
open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and
1-4 p.m. Sundays.
To learn more about the museum, visit
http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/u?museum/.
For assistance related to a disability, call 662-915-7073.