History of Reunions wear on display through Jan. 30

Mudd reunions exhibit

“Going Back in Orange and Black,” an exhibition at the Mudd Manuscript Library, highlights the unique wardrobes of Princeton’s Reunions from the 19th century to the present.

Below left: This photograph of the class of 1976 at its 25th Reunion is among the items on display. The photo, from the July 4, 2001, issue of the Princeton Alumni Weekly, shows the alumni decked out in their class jackets.

Photos courtesy of Mudd Manuscript Library

"Going Back in Orange and Black," an exhibition at the Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library, highlights the unique wardrobes of Princeton's Reunions from the 19th century to the present. The exhibition will run through Tuesday, Jan. 30, in the library's Wiess Lounge.

The exhibition conveys the distinctive character and spirit of Reunions through a display of vibrant costumes and accoutrements. Changes in Reunions fashion and accessories over time are evident in the array of fabrics, patterns and forms on view. The exhibition also reveals the evolving role of women, both wives of alumni and graduates, and the participation of children in Reunions festivities.

Culled from the Mudd Library's vast collection of Reunions-related memorabilia, items featured in the exhibition include Adlai Stevenson's class of 1922 25th Reunion class jacket and pins and ribbons dating to the class of 1860's 40th Reunion. Among the unique and lesser-seen Reunions-wear are genuine tiger claws, which the members of the Society of the Claw -- begun by the class of 1894 -- used as tokens to encourage alumni to return to campus every year. Society members pledged to attend Princeton Reunions annually and received tiger claw fobs for their watch chains to remind them of their pledge.

Other displays include ladies' orange satin scent bags from the late 19th century, a child's orange- and black-striped class of 1911 Reunion jacket and many photographs of alumni at Reunions, including John Foster Dulles (class of 1908), Jimmy Stewart (class of 1932) and Brooke Shields (class of 1987).

Mudd reunions exhibit

A portion of the exhibition honors the anniversary classes of 1956 and 1981, which mark their 50th and 25th anniversaries, respectively, this spring. Highlights of the classes' time on campus are conveyed through a display of photographs and other materials. Among the events documented are the 1956 varsity football team's clinching of the Ivy League title and the class of 1956's revival of the senior step singing tradition. Also on view are images related to coach Pete Carill's 250th coaching victory with the 1981 men's basketball team and the institution of the Program in Women's Studies in 1981.

"Going Back in Orange and Black" is open from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and until 7:45 p.m. Wednesday. Beginning in June, exhibition hours will be 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday and until 7:15 p.m. Wednesday.

For more information, call (609) 258-6345 or e-mail mudd@princeton.edu.