Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith (1921–2014)

Arthur Smith passed away one year ago today.  At the time, I hurriedly started a V2H blog post to mark the occasion.  As I worked on it I kept finding more and more interesting material . . . and April 3rd slipped farther and farther into the distance before I just could wrap it up. … Continue reading “Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith (1921–2014)”

Ambassador William C. Bullitt visits UNC, 1941

At this time of danger each American must ask himself each day not what he can get from his country but what he can give to his country, and must ask himself each night: “Have I given enough?” —William C. Bullitt, 7 January 1941 Eleven months to the day before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor—William … Continue reading “Ambassador William C. Bullitt visits UNC, 1941”

World Day for Audio Visual Heritage 2014

One part of the Hugh Morton Collection that we do not seem to utilize as much as we should is Hugh Morton’s film footage.  Today marks the annual observance of UNESCO World Day for Audio Visual Heritage, so it’s an apt day to explore the films of Hugh Morton. The Morton collection finding aid lists … Continue reading “World Day for Audio Visual Heritage 2014”

William B. Aycock at 99: always on the correct side of history

99 years ago today, on October 24, 1915, William Brantley Aycock was born in Lucama, North Carolina.  He went on to serve the University of North Carolina for almost 40 years, from a faculty appointment in the School of Law in 1948 until his retirement as Kenan Professor in 1985.  During the years 1957 until … Continue reading “William B. Aycock at 99: always on the correct side of history”

A Hall for All . . . Old, New, and Renovated

Nine years ago on September 8, 2005, the “new and improved” Memorial Hall on the UNC campus was celebrated with a grand re-opening weekend. On this special anniversary, Morton Collection volunteer, Jack Hilliard, takes a look back at this iconic building. It became painfully clear during UNC’s commencement weekend of 1883 that Gerrard Hall was … Continue reading “A Hall for All . . . Old, New, and Renovated”

Spider, Gumdrop, and the "Morton Mystery" of Apollo 9

Today, July 16, 2014, marks the 45th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11 carrying the first men to land on the lunar surface. One of the primary stepping-stones for that mission was the launch and flight of Apollo 9.  Like the Apollo 11 launch, there is an Apollo 9–Hugh Morton connection.  So, on this … Continue reading “Spider, Gumdrop, and the "Morton Mystery" of Apollo 9”

From Richmond to Chapel Hill . . . from Charlotte to the Moon

February 20, 1962 was an important day in United States space history.  On that day, US Astronaut John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth.  On that same date thirty-six years earlier—February 20, 1926—an unsung hero of the United States space program was born in Richmond, Virginia. On this February 20th, Morton collection … Continue reading “From Richmond to Chapel Hill . . . from Charlotte to the Moon”

A medal for Dean

There will be some great Tar Heel news out of Washington, D.C. today—November 20th, 2013.  Morton collection volunteer and blog contributor Jack Hilliard takes a look at an honor for one of the greatest Tar Heels ever. Can you name two things each of the following has in common? Bob Hope Walter Cronkite Lowell Thomas … Continue reading “A medal for Dean”

Election coverage

It is Election Day in the United States of America—which also means its election coverage day, too, although there’s no guarantee that will last fewer than twenty-four hours.  As you might expect, there are some historically relevant images in the Hugh Morton collection.  Two undated Ektachrome copy slides of photographs by an unknown photographer(s) depict … Continue reading “Election coverage”

Now that Charlotte is in the distance

Last week, the city of Charlotte was the “front and center” of the American political scene as it hosted the 2012 Democratic National Convention.  As the event approached, I had the natural inclination to turn to Hugh Morton’s coverage of past Democratic conventions for a timely blog post . . . but quickly remembered that … Continue reading “Now that Charlotte is in the distance”