Ernestine
M. Raclin Gallery of Notre Dame History
Changing
exhibitions telling stories of the history of Notre Dame
University are featured in the Ernestine M. Raclin Gallery
of Notre Dame History, located at the Northern Indiana
Center for History, 808 W. Washington. The gallery, a
partnership of the Center for History and the University of
Notre Dame, is named in honor of Ernestine M. Raclin, a
local business and civic leader. Research and design
for the exhibitions are a collaborative effort between the
Notre Dame Archives and the Center for History.
Mrs.
Raclin and the Carmichael Foundation, of which she is
president, have provided numerous contributions and support
to the Center for History over several years. Mrs.
Raclin was a long-time trustee for the University of Notre
Dame and currently serves as Trustee-Emeritus of the
University. The gallery features changing
exhibitions which are intended to relate significant
historical aspects of the University. An endowment for
the gallery has been generously provided by the Carmichael
Foundation.
Current
Exhibition in the Raclin Gallery of Notre Dame History
Notre Dame: A Place in History
Opening August 20, 2003 -permanent
Ernestine M. Raclin Gallery of Notre Dame History
“On a cold November evening in the year of grace, 1842, a
young priest stood near the old log house on the banks of the
little lake called St. Mary’s, and viewed for the first time
the principal field of his future labors...The young priest was
Father Sorin; the place, Notre Dame du Lac; two names that will
always be associated, ever linked together in the memory of old
students and old friends, and will go down together in the
religious and educational annals of our country,” (from the
Silver Jubilee of the University of Notre Dame).
This and other stories of those whose lives have been
intertwined with the University of Notre Dame are featured in Notre
Dame: A Place in History, a new permanent exhibition at the
Northern Indiana Center for History.
From founder Father Edward Sorin, C.S.C., to Father Theodore
Hesburgh, C.S.C., to football great Knute Rockne, the stories
are told through artifacts and photographs from the University
of Notre Dame Archives. A life-size mural of Father Sorin stands
tall over a crucifix he brought from France and a Bible he used.
Completed in 1882 by J. Francis Smith, the work of art was
discovered during the 1997-99 restoration of the Main Building.
The wall on which it was painted was removed from the third
floor and brought to the Center for History, where it was
restored.
Photographs of Father Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C., provide a
visual testimony to this Notre Dame president. Many are images
of Father Hesburgh with Notre Dame students. He is also pictured
with three American presidents: Eisenhower, Kennedy and Carter.
Visitors can learn about the diverse components of the 35 years
he served as president of the University, from the 110 honorary
degrees bestowed upon him to the admission of undergraduate
women in 1972.
A portion of the story of football legend Knute Rockne is
shown in advertisements he made with the Studebaker Corporation
during his coaching years. A program from the dedication of the
new stadium in 1930 also can be seen.
The perimeter of the exhibition is a timeline of photographs
that provides a comparison of the number of faculty members and
buildings, as well as the costs of tuition and room and board
through the decades.
Notre Dame: A Place in History
was researched and
designed by staff from the Archives of the University of Notre
Dame and the Center for History, with funding provided by Mrs.
Ernestine M. Raclin and the University of Notre Dame. The Raclin
Gallery, which houses Notre Dame: A Place in History, is
a partnership of the Center for History and the University of
Notre Dame and is named in honor of Ernestine M. Raclin, a
member of the University’s Board of Trustees since 1976. The
Northern Indiana Center for History is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission ranges from $3 to $8.
For information, call (574) 235-9664.
