Events

First Fridays: Matters of the Heart

Let’s talk about love! From love letters to break up letters, the course of true love never did run smooth. Join us for the 2024-2025 season of First Fridays as we share matters of the heart from collections across Archives and Special Collections. The February program features presentations from the Upper Midwest Jewish Archives and the Archives and Special Collections.

Register

Seeking NJB (Nice Jewish Boy)

Presented by Kate Dietrick, Archivist, Upper Midwest Jewish Archives

Making a match in the Jewish community has always been something worth singing about. From how to find that Nice Jewish Boy (or Girl) to professional matchmakers to debates over interfaith marriage, dating while Jewish is a spirited topic.

Unrequited Love: Looking at Love and Loss in the Archives

Presented by Rachel Weiher, Project Archivist, and Amy Gabbert, Project Assistant Archivist

Join us for a fascinating exploration of unrequited love through the University of Minnesota Archives and Special Collections. This presentation delves into a curated collection of poignant letters of rejection, heart-wrenching break-ups, and other personal correspondences that illuminate the complexities of unreciprocated affection. Discover the raw emotions and timeless themes captured in these historical documents, revealing the enduring impact of unfulfilled longing. This unique archive not only offers a window into the past but also prompts reflections on love’s universal struggles

About

First Fridays is a series of intellectually stimulating conversations from the Archives and Special Collections at the University of Minnesota Libraries. First Fridays is made possible by a generous gift from Governor Elmer L. Andersen and Mrs. Eleanor Andersen in honor of former University Librarian Dr. Edward B. Stanford.

Event details 

What:  First Fridays: Seeking NJB (Nice Jewish Boy) and Unrequited Love: Looking at Love and Loss in the Archives

When: Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 | Lunch at 11:30 a.m. | Presentations begin at noon 

Where: Elmer L. Andersen Library, room 120 and ONLINE | Parking and directions 

Notice of photography 

Photographs taken at the event may be used in University of Minnesota print and online publications, promotions, or shared with the Libraries community. If you prefer not to be photographed, please let the photographer know during the event! Thank you.

First Fridays: Matters of the Heart

Let’s talk about love! From love letters to break up letters, the course of true love never did run smooth. Join us for the 2024-2025 season of First Fridays as we share matters of the heart from collections across Archives and Special Collections. The March program features presentations from the University of Minnesota Archives and the Tretter Collection in GLBT Studies.

Save the date! Event registration will open on Jan. 2.

How Can You Mend a Broken Heart? A Brief History of Heart and Cardiovascular Research at the University of Minnesota

Presented by Erik Moore, University Archivist, University Archives
Heart disease became a leading cause of death in the 20th century. In response, researchers at the University of Minnesota contributed to combating the epidemic through physiological, surgical, and other methods..

An Underdog & A Good Friend: The Vivian Vance Memorial Card Collective and the Love of Queer Friendship

Presented by Aiden Bettine, Curator, Tretter Collection in GLBT Studies

About

First Fridays is a series of intellectually stimulating conversations from the Archives and Special Collections at the University of Minnesota Libraries. First Fridays is made possible by a generous gift from Governor Elmer L. Andersen and Mrs. Eleanor Andersen in honor of former University Librarian Dr. Edward B. Stanford.

Event details 

What:  First Fridays: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart? A Brief History of Heart and Cardiovascular Research at the University of Minnesota

When: Friday, March 7, 2025 | Lunch at 11:30 a.m. | Presentations begin at noon 

Where: Elmer L. Andersen Library, room 120 and ONLINE | Parking and directions 

Notice of photography 

Photographs taken at the event may be used in University of Minnesota print and online publications, promotions, or shared with the Libraries community. If you prefer not to be photographed, please let the photographer know during the event! Thank you.

First Fridays: Matters of the Heart

Let’s talk about love! From love letters to break up letters, the course of true love never did run smooth. Join us for the 2024-2025 season of First Fridays as we share matters of the heart from collections across Archives and Special Collections. The April program features presentations from the James Ford Bell Library and from Special Collections and Rare Books.

Save the date! Event registration will open on Feb. 3.

Heart-Shaped Worlds at the James Ford Bell Library

Presented by Anne Good, Assistant Curator, James Ford Bell Library
In the sixteenth century, as knowledge of the world grew and mapmakers developed new drafting methods, a handful of scholars experimented with an unusual way of seeing and describing the world. This peculiar, new cartographic description was the cordiform – or heart-shaped – map projection. In this presentation, we will examine some of the oldest maps in the splendid collection of James Ford Bell Library, considering their historical contexts, and asking: does love have anything to do with it?

A Fine Romance: A Celebration of Fine Press Books

Presented by Marguerite Ragnow, Curator, James Ford Bell Library; Interim Curator, Special Collections and Rare Books
Love abounds in the collection of Fine Press Books in Special Collections and Rare Books. These limited 20th-century editions emphasize typography and illustration. In the words of the romantic song by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields, they are “lovely to look at, delightful to hold.” Join interim curator Marguerite Ragnow as she offers a glimpse of some of the volumes of love and romance that are part of this collection.

About

First Fridays is a series of intellectually stimulating conversations from the Archives and Special Collections at the University of Minnesota Libraries. First Fridays is made possible by a generous gift from Governor Elmer L. Andersen and Mrs. Eleanor Andersen in honor of former University Librarian Dr. Edward B. Stanford.

Event details 

What:  First Fridays: Heart-Shaped Worlds at the James Ford Bell Library and A Fine Romance: A Celebration of Fine Press Books

When: Friday, April 4, 2025 | Lunch at 11:30 a.m. | Presentations begin at noon 

Where: Elmer L. Andersen Library, room 120 and ONLINE | Parking and directions 

Notice of photography 

Photographs taken at the event may be used in University of Minnesota print and online publications, promotions, or shared with the Libraries community. If you prefer not to be photographed, please let the photographer know during the event! Thank you.

First Fridays: Matters of the Heart

Let’s talk about love! From love letters to break up letters, the course of true love never did run smooth. Join us for the 2024-2025 season of First Fridays as we share matters of the heart from collections across Archives and Special Collections. The April program features presentations from the James Ford Bell Library and from Special Collections and Rare Books.

Save the date! Event registration will open on March 3.

Our High-Tech Love Affairs

Presented by Amanda Wick, Curator, Charles Babbage Institute Archives
High tech fascinates us. Its potential and limitations constantly inspiring humans to push further, do more, and dream bigger. From the evolution of online dating to the passion of the space race and patriotic fervor of the nuclear arms race, this presentation will examine ways in which computers fuel unexpected matters of the heart and soul.

Love and Belonging in Black Art and Politics

Presented by Davu Seru, Curator, Givens Collection of African American Literature and Life
There is Black Love in the archives. This presentation of materials from Givens Collection highlights how race leadership in the arts and politics have shaped a nearly 200-year romance with Black nationalism.

About

First Fridays is a series of intellectually stimulating conversations from the Archives and Special Collections at the University of Minnesota Libraries. First Fridays is made possible by a generous gift from Governor Elmer L. Andersen and Mrs. Eleanor Andersen in honor of former University Librarian Dr. Edward B. Stanford.

Event details 

What:  First Fridays: Our High-Tech Love Affairs & Love and Belonging in Black Art and Politics

When: Friday, May 2, 2025 | Lunch at 11:30 a.m. | Presentations begin at noon 

Where: Elmer L. Andersen Library, room 120 and ONLINE | Parking and directions 

Notice of photography 

Photographs taken at the event may be used in University of Minnesota print and online publications, promotions, or shared with the Libraries community. If you prefer not to be photographed, please let the photographer know during the event! Thank you.