FGCU Bradshaw Library's Archives and Special Collections

On this day in 1942, Edwin "Ted" Boynton wrote home to his parents: "It seems to me that I have some allowance comming about now don't I Dad, I certainly hope so because I am absolutely broke at this point. I could use a pair of summer shoes too. It seems to me that I am asking for a lot of money but it is always that way at the beginning of a school term."

Sounds familiar, doesn't it? 😅 Read more from Ted's wartime correspondence in the Edwin "Ted" Boynton Letters, part of the World War II Collection on DigitalFGCU!

#1939

🚧🦅 From construction site to campus life! Take a look at FGCU's early days as the foundation was being built, thanks to the Susan Evans Papers!

These wonderfully weird illustrations come from La nature & diversité des poissons (1555), one of the oldest books in University Archives & Special Collections. Written by French naturalist Pierre Belon, the book aimed to depict fish and sea creatures "as close to nature as possible," though some of these creatures might have had other plans. 🤨

Nearly 500 years later, we're still fascinated by these bizarre beasts and the early efforts to document the natural world.

🏈 Take a step back in time and experience Dunbar High School football through 1940s photographs and 1960s programs that celebrate a proud tradition of athletic excellence! Check out more on DigitalFGCU!🔗

Greetings from Florida! 📬🌴

Take a journey through the Vintage Florida Postcard Collection and experience the Sunshine State one postcard at a time! 🌞📮

Hurricane season is officially here! 🌧️🌪️

Doug MacGregor’s cartoons continue to resonate today, reflecting the experiences, preparation, and resilience that come with living in Southwest Florida. Find more cartoons in Doug MacGregor's Southwest Florida Cartoon Collection online at DigitalFGCU: https://buff.ly/eVm8MP5!

Happy National Alligator Day! 🐊

Celebrated each year, National Alligator Day highlights the important role alligators play in Florida’s wetland ecosystems and the need for conservation and environmental awareness. Today, we’re sharing alligator images from a variety of collections held in the University Archives & Special Collections!

🌊🐚 Happy ! We’re throwing it back to the 1955 Sanibel Shell Fair! The Sanibel Shell Show & Festival is still a beloved annual island tradition and the world's longest-running shell festival.

📸 Photo Credit: Sanibel Island Collection on DigitalFGCU: https://buff.ly/rmsnV83!

A day at the beach, Koreshan-style! 🏖️☀️🌊 Dive into the full Koreshan Unity Collection on DigitalFGCU! Link: https://buff.ly/hO8GMnh

As Finals Week comes to a close, we want to congratulate all of the amazing FGCU students for the wonderful work they’ve put in this semester. And many well wishes to the graduating Class of 2026!

As a reminder the FGCU Archives and Special Collections will be closed May 11th-15th and will reopen May 18th.

Stay tuned for updates about the new upcoming gallery and thank you to everyone who came to appreciate and view our previous exhibit, Nature’s Canvas. We look forward to showing you the work we’ve put into this next display! Thank you all of your support this semester, we look forward to having you back!


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