The rotating display in the Claire Jaenke Alumni Center is now home to Blackburn’s history of music and theater. The display holds many artifacts from the Blackburn’s theatrical past, everything from music programs to band photos. Some of the featured artifacts include a picture of the Predication Hall jazz band of 1968, a program from a Christmas concert in 1965, a program of Bothwell Auditorium dedication from Oct. 11, 1970 and musical and stage production programs from over the years. All of the artifacts are from the Blackburn College archives.
The display was put together by alumni Tom Emery, a professional historian, historical researcher and freelance writer. To create the display, Emery worked closely with Director of the Lumpkin Learning Commons Brian Hickam.
Emery has put together several other displays in Jaenke, including displays featuring Blackburn athletics, commencement, academics, back to class and others. In an email, Emery explained why he chose music and theater to be displayed: “Blackburn has a rich history of music and theater, and countless students have been involved in music and stage productions since the College’s earliest days.”
Blackburn has hosted a number of top touring acts through the years, Emery pointed out. Some of the more memorable ones include comic Jim Gaffigan (2004), the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (1995), Michael Johnson (1990) and the Serendipity Singers (1988).
Along with the display case in Jaenke, Emery also put together the permanent historical exhibit that can be viewed on the walls of the Alumni hall. Again Emery worked with Hickam and others of the Blackburn Development Office to create the permanent display. The historical display won an award from the Illinois State Historical Society in 2017. Though the wall display is permanent, the case display changes throughout the year to feature different Blackburn historical themes.
