A special showing of engravings from John James Audubon's The Birds of America will be on display this weekend for ReUnion 2006.
The annual four-day celebration attracts hundreds of alumni and friends of Union College, who participate in workshops, games, an alumni parade, fireworks and other events around campus. Last May, more than 1,500 alumni attended the festivities, and total giving from the anniversary classes was nearly $3 million. This year, 14 classes from 1936 to 2001 will be honored.
ReUnion will also feature several award presentations. The winners of this year's Alumni Gold Medals are: Sigmund Giambruno '51; Albert Nahmias '66; and Mark L.Walsh, '76. Head football coach John Audino will receive the Meritorious Service Award. Major General Robert S. Dickman, '66, will be honored with the Eliphalet Nott Medal.
One of the highlights of this year's event is the rare public display of some of Audubon's 435 hand-colored engravings, which depict life-sized portrayals of every species of bird in North America. There were only about 200 complete sets distributed, with less than 135 still in existence today. The college has owned a complete set since President Eliphalet Nott paid $1,000 in gold to Audubon himself in 1844.
The individual plates were eventually bound into four volumes and stored in Schaffer Library. One volume was stolen from a locked case in 1971, and was eventually recovered with the help of the FBI and a Texas book dealer.
The plates have been susceptible to creases, dirt and even tears over the years, and are rarely made available for public viewing. Ellen Fladger, the head of Special Collections in the Schaffer Library, along with others, has been working with the Northeast Document Conservation Center to preserve the plates. So far, nearly half the plates have been treated, and the College plans to have more public viewings.
The exhibit is available for viewing at Schaffer Library. Hours are: Thursday (8 a.m. to 1 a.m.); Friday (8 a.m. to 11 p.m.); Saturday (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.); and Sunday (11 a.m. to 1 a.m.).
For more on ReUnion 2006, including a schedule of events, go to www.union.edu/ReUnion.