An exhibition celebrating the history and evolution of the ILR School, from its founding in 1945 to the present day, will be on display in the Catherwood Library lobby as part of Cornell Reunion Weekend. Catherwood, located in the ILR School, is part of Cornell University Library.
The exhibit, “A Living Institution: ILR at 80,” will be unveiled on Friday, June 6, and will feature a chat with exhibit curators, Katie Keegan and Claire Deng ’22, from 10 a.m. to noon.
From 1 to 3 p.m., the Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives in Catherwood Library will also host a mini version of Catherwood’s Cookie Day – including a cookie-themed craft activity for children – and will host a tour of Catherwood Library and the Kheel Center following the ILR Dean’s Breakfast on Saturday, June 7, at 9:45 a.m.
“The exhibit’s title is derived from ILR Dean David Lipsky reflecting on the history of the college and its founders – Irving Ives, Maurice Neufeld, Jean McKelvey, and others – turning the dream they had for the ILR School into ‘a living institution,’” Deng explained.
“I think this phrase encapsulates the idea that ILR is constantly changing and evolving, and it honors the work that so many people have done and are doing here to keep the founders’ dream alive and well.”
The display will feature a captivating collection of historic photographs, memorabilia, and pamphlets, highlighting the remarkable individuals, significant places, and notable achievements that have shaped ILR over the past 80 years.
Interim assistant director of the Kheel Center Steven Calco notes that due to COVID, the ILR School was unable to put up a physical exhibit for the 75th anniversary. Instead, it opted for an online 75th anniversary timeline that used artifacts from the archives to highlight milestones in the school’s history.
“Since its inception, the school has taken research and history very seriously, creating the foundation for the rich archive we have today,” Calco said. “Before ILR even had a physical location, it had a library collection – housed in these temporary military Quonset huts and in the women’s dormitory. And unlike the other labor archives around the country, our focus on collecting both labor and management records supported the unique curriculum offered to students by the school.”
Unlike the online timeline, the new exhibit will feature recently rediscovered artifacts found during Deng’s full survey of the Kheel Center’s archival collections, including many of the earliest records of ILR, founding documents, and ILR faculty papers.
“The blueprints of the Quonset huts, which we featured in the 2024 Reunion ILR history showcase, really resonated with many visiting alumni, especially those who had personal memories of attending classes in the huts,” said Deng. “That Reunion event served as a jumping off point for us when we began planning for the ILR 80th.”
Keegan and Deng made the decision early on to organize the exhibit thematically rather than chronologically to provide a different perspective on ILR from that of the 75th anniversary timeline. This approach aims to offer a comparative exploration of ILR then and now.
Exhibit themes cover the student experience, the first foundational years of ILR, building history, extension and outreach, and notable faculty and alumni. Each theme provides a unique lens through which visitors can appreciate the legacy and ongoing impact of ILR.
“The exhibit highlights ILR’s contributions to education and labor relations over the decades,” Keegan said. “It serves as a tribute to the individuals – students, faculty, and staff – who have played pivotal roles in the school’s history, fostering a sense of belonging and pride within the ILR community.”
Through the exhibit, Keegan and Deng hope that alumni and other visitors gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of ILR history, while also reflecting on and sharing their own ILR experiences and stories.
