UC MagazineUniversity of CincinnatiUC Magazine

UC Magazine

Mini-museums filled with artifacts across campus

by Deborah Rieselman

Although the university doesn’t actually contain any “museums,” visitors can easily stumble on mini-museums with quality displays open to the public. The following locations are open 8-5, Monday-Friday, except for the hospital, which is open 24/7. The descriptions explain situations in which you might need an appointment.

.


  • UC Archives and Rare Books, on the eighth floor of Blegen Library, regularly features a changing exhibit on its walls, which can be viewed just outside the elevator. In the reading room, a 1749 map of London is displayed on the wall in a custom-made 13-by-7-foot frame. The gift of Keith Stewart, a former English professor, and his wife, Betty, the map has attracted international attention because of its rarity and printing history, says UC archivist Kevin Grace, MA (A&S) ‘77. Blegen’s numerous architectural features alone are worth visiting, too, because of their depiction of the heritage of learning, and Grace offers a personal tour to anyone who calls ahead for an appointment at 513-556-1953. Learn more about UC Archives and Rare Books.
Relief carvings into the facade of Blegen Library.

Archivist Kevin Grace offers to introduce visitors to the architectural features of Blegen Library, such as the relief carvings above and the curious person at right (Hesper, the evening star of the west, who watches the entrance to Blegen Library). Grace can only accommodate visitors who arrange appointments before arriving on campus.

A stylized head created out of concrete is one of the features on Blegen Library.

.


.


  • Stanley Lucas (A&S '48, MD ‘51) Board Room of the Winkler Center contains a permanent exhibit of ceramics replicating a 15th-century Italian apothecary shop produced by the Cantagalli kiln of Florence, Italy, and exhibited at the 1899 Paris International Exposition. Before you enter the room, check with a nearby staff person to make sure no private meetings are taking place at the time. Learn more about the Stanley Lucas Board Room.

.


  • The Apparatus Museum — in the Oesper Collections in the History of Chemistry — houses a reproduction 1900 laboratory behind glass in Rieveschl Hall, assembled by professor William Jensen. Supported by a $4.5 million endowment, the collection includes 13,000 chemistry books and journals, dating to 1600, as well as 2,000 photographs and prints, many of them autographed by such people as Nobel Prize winner Madame Curie. Call Jensen to set up an appointment ahead of time at 513-556-9326. Learn more about the Apparatus Museum.

.


  • Albert Sabin’s exhibit shows how his oral polio vaccine impacted the world, right inside the front lobby of the Vontz Center for Molecular Studies. In front of the entrance, an Ohio Historical Marker honors Sabin. Explore UC's Albert B. Sabin Archives.

.


The historical timeline of the UC Medical Center fills the glass-enclosed walkway.

The timeline fills the glass-enclosed walkway from the garage to the hospital lobby. Photo/Jay Yocis

  • UC Medical Center has a historic exhibit highlighting the history and innovation at the hospital since its founding in 1823. The exhibit comprises 14 vignettes lining the corridor from Goodman Garage to the University Hospital lobby and two display cases of historic items near the lobby desk.

.