Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015 will be my last day in the Archives. It has been a pleasure tending to this amazing collection for the last five years; but, I need to focus my energy elsewhere now. Thank you to all that took the time to donate stories, memorabilia, information and context to the collections. Thank you to everyone who stopped in to share it with me.

If you need information in the time between Archivists, please contact MMI Librarian Ashley Plummer (aplummer@marionmilitary.edu) or Director of the MMI Foundation, Suzanne McKee (SMcKee@marionmilitary.edu). They should be able to assist you.

It's always difficult to leave a place you love. I am grateful for the experience.

With much respect,

Erin Jones
MMI Archivist
2010-2015

Welcome back, students, faculty & staff!  There are many renovations and improvements happening on campus right now.  A great opportunity for preservation and archiving the living history of this beautiful campus. 

Over the Summer, I sorted through several boxes of photos and still have many unnamed photos.  I'll be posting them as we move forward.  If you recognize anyone, please feel welcome to email me at ejones@marionmilitary.edu with any information you may have. 

I'm also working on a history of the High School.  If you attended the HS and want to share your stories - or add them to our Oral History Project, we would love to hear from you!

Here's to a great year!
Erin Jones
Archivist
MMI Foundation Archives
ejones@marionmilitary.edu
334 302 1038

Chapel Windows

Last week I had the pleasure of showing Rear Admiral S Stosz around MMI's historic Chapel building. I thought I'd share some excerpts from the pamphlet "Providing Windows of Character". (c) 1968 MMI






E. Jones
MMI Archivist
334 302 1038
ejones@marionmilitary.edu

1931 Advantages of Military Education Pamphlet

While going through some recent donations, I found this little gem tucked into the pages of another book.

October 2011

I'd like to share with you some of the photos that are currently on my plate.

Col. Sheffield teaching.

Cadet Smith, 1962

(A different) Cadet Smith

Delta Company, 1992

Cadet Williams, 1962

Things are busy here in the Archives as I continue to process a large donation of files and photos. As with all photos, any details you have, please feel free to share them with us. The more we know, the more we can share.

E. Jones
MMI Archivist
ejones@marionmilitary.edu
334 302 1038

Going through some files here in the Archives, I've found some photos I'd like to share.

J. R. Coleman

Sara Clements, Secretary

Timothy Chambers and Group

The Archives will be open the Friday of Parents Weekend, but closed on Saturday. Images from the 1919 student photo album will be on display in the Auditorium. I hope to see you there!

E. Jones
MMI Archivist
ejones@marionmilitary.edu
334 302 1038

September 2011 - 1919 Photo Album

Today, while doing research on early 1900's Cadet classes, I stumbled upon a most fascinating of finds: a personal Cadet photo album from 1919. So, of course, I put everything on hold so I could scan and preserve this amazing piece of MMI history. I can't resist sharing some of those images with you here.

Page 3


Page 5

Page 6

Page 15

Page 22

Page 29

Page 33

Back to research!
Erin Jones
MMI Archivist
334 302 1038
ejones@marionmilitary.edu

August 2011: Old and New

Congratulations to all the Cadets who were Crested on Friday.

Photos: MMI Archives

You can watch a video taken by Kelly Griffiths, Library Director here.

To celebrate the newest Cadets, allow me to share some more photos in the Unlabeled Photo Project: the oldest yet, from 1933-34.

August, 2011 - Chapel Stones

Exciting news! The original stones from the MMI Chapel walls have been moved to the Archives for display and preservation. They are breathtaking. Come check them out!

Wilkerson stone

Lovelace stone

Armstrong & Murfee stones

Moore stone

August 2011, Part 2

I was moving boxes in the Archives this morning and came across two large boxes of unidentified photos that, so far, stretch back as far as 1950. I'll be working through them, and sharing them here with you, in the next few months. Any help identifying people ,places and events in these photos is welcome. So far, there are some great additions to the ongoing Swamp Fox Collection project. On the top of the pile today:

August 2011

Summer is almost over and students are arriving on campus again. It's an exciting time.

I received a generous donation in the mail today, including these fantastic additions to the collection. Recognize them? Have stories about them? I'd love to hear them!

Snorter Cover, Dated: 17 May XX, Vol. 1

White Knights Show for Pensacola, 13 May 1954

-------------------------------

August 2011 Archives Schedule

Tuesday, Aug. 2nd
Thursday, Aug. 4th

Tuesday, Aug. 9th
Thursday, Aug. 11th

Tuesday, Aug. 16th
Wednesday, Aug. 17th
Thursday, Aug. 18th

Tuesday, Aug. 23rd
Thursday, Aug. 25th
Friday, Aug. 26th

Tuesday, Aug. 30th
Wednesday, Aug. 31st

Any questions or thoughts you'd like to share,
Erin Jones
MMI Archivist
ejones@marionmilitary.edu
334 302 1038

July 2011

I've been in the Archives preserving everything from the program for the 1968 Stadium Dedication to 1980's Football Uniforms and Cheerleading Skirts donated back from Marion Academy. I've put the call out for memorabilia and so many generous alumni and community members have stopped by to share their memories. It's exciting!

The school year starts again in August and throughout July, I'll be in the Archives:

Thursday, 14 July
Thursday, 28 July

I'll be checking my email in the meantime.

Have a wonderful July!
Erin Jones
ejones@marionmilitary.edu
334 302 1038

On Sunday, 12 June 2011, Alabama lost one of her great storytellers as Kathryn Tucker Windham died at the age of 93. A detailed description of her influential and amazing life can be found here and here. While I personally never had the opportunity to meet Mrs. Windham, her stories have filled in the gaps of my Alabama life since I moved back here 15 years ago; and she’s become a celebrated part of the MMI Archives. One of my first tasks as a Special Collections Assistant for the Bounds Law Library in Tuscaloosa was to transcribe an interview with her.

So, celebrate Mrs. Windham's contribution to Alabama and the Black Belt by reading a bit of "13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey" or carry on the tradition and share a story of your own.

Images courtesy of the MMI Foundation Archives.

Thank you, Mrs. Windham. You will be missed.

Erin Jones

MMI Archivist

334 302 1038

ejones@marionmilitary.edu

June 2011

It's been an exciting month in the Archives with much to preserve and exciting projects in the wings. The Oral History Project is getting on its feet and I'll soon have updated information for it. In the meantime, the Archives will be open the following days in June, 2011

Thursday, 2 June
Tuesday, 14 June
Thursday, 16 June
Tuesday, 21 June
Thursday, 23 June
Tuesday, 28 June
Thursday 30 June

Please feel free to call or email me anytime.
Erin Jones, Archivist
ejones@marionmilitary.edu
334 302 1038

2011 Alumni Weekend

Thank you to everyone who introduced themselves throughout my first Alumni Weekend. It was an absolute pleasure to speak with you all. Please think of the Archives when you're looking for a special place for your MMI memories.

I'm swamped with reference questions and preservation right now - lots of exciting things to share in the coming weeks. Until then enjoy the videos of the Swamp Fox and White Knight demonstrations from this weekend (thanks to the Library Director, Kelly Griffiths) HERE!!

More to come,
Erin Jones
MMI Archivist
ejones@marionmilitary.edu
334 302 1038

April 2011

There's a lot going on here in the Archives. I'm gearing up for Alumni Weekend, where I will kick off the first push for the Oral History Project. [If you're interested in sharing your memories of MMI while you're here for Alumni Weekend - or any other time - contact me to schedule a time!] We received a wonderful donation of memorabilia from 1954-55. A gracious 'thank you' to Mr. Jack Starnes for his generosity.

Here's a little bit of it:

April Hours: **Please note there are some digressions from the norm**

Alumni Weekend, 7-9 April [Thursday - Saturday]

*The Archives will be open Thursday and Friday. The Archives will not be open the Saturday of Alumni Weekend due to the building being used for ACT testing. There will be a small Archives display in the Ireland Center.*

12,14 April [Tuesday & Thursday]

19,20 April [Tuesday & Wednesday]

26,27 April [Tuesday & Wednesday]

Back to preserving,

Erin Jones

Archivist

MMI

ejones@marionmilitary.edu

330 302 1038

Turning to Spring and Oral History

Hello and Howdy! As we come to the end of February, I'm looking to Spring and all the amazing things that MMI has planned. This weekend's Knight-Fox Challenge will kick off with a parade this afternoon. [Pictures to follow] Alumni Weekend is set for April; and before you know it, Cadets will be graduating and Summer will sweep through the town. If you have a chance to stop in the Archives, please do. There's always something changing!

The Oral History Project is kicking off this week when I sit down with my first interviewee. I'll share details in March - and give you information about how you can be involved in preserving the stories of MMI! Any questions are welcome.

March Schedule

Tuesday, 1 March
Thursday, 3 March

Wednesday, 9 March
Thursday, 10 March

CLOSED SPRING BREAK

Tuesday, 22 March
Wednesday, 23 March

Tuesday, 29 March
Wednesday, 30 March

Hope to see you soon!

Erin Jones
MMI Archivist
334 302 1038
ejones@marionmilitary.edu