(In celebration of the University Archives’ upcoming 50th Anniversary in 2015, we bring you “The Twelve Days of Buckeyes”. This is day seven in a series of 12 blog posts highlighting the people who were instrumental in the creation and growth of the Archives.)
Owens competes at the 1936 Olympics
Though Jesse Owens’ most famous accomplishment happened more than 75 years ago, many people today still remember what it was – winning four gold medals in track at the 1936 Berlin Olympics – and what it meant – an African-American man showing the Adolph Hitler that his propaganda about the superiority of the Aryan race was bunk.
Fewer people may remember, however, that Owens attended OSU before going on to make history at the Olympics. That doesn’t mean, though, that his collection of papers, photos and artifacts housed here at the University Archives is ignored. Far from it.
The Archives acquired the bulk of collection from Owens’ widow, Ruth, from 1987 to 1990. Additions were subsequently made by the Owens family, particularly Marlene Owens Rankin, one of Owens’ daughters. Most of the collection is composed of materials from when he started attending OSU in 1933 to his death in 1980. The roughly 100 cubic feet of materials include many artifacts such as his Olympic gold medals. But there are also other items that signify his later roles in life, such as a tankard given to him in 1955 for his role as sports ambassador to India, an appointment made by then-Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Former University Archivist Rai Goerler looks through collection material with Ruth Owens, 1987
Owens’ Olympic gold medals
Since acquiring the collection and to this day, the Archives has helped many people from all walks of life learn more about Owens. The staff regularly receives requests from filmmakers, documentary makers and book writers for help on their projects to tell Owens’ story. Classes here at OSU will often visit the Archives to look through his materials as part of their research on all kinds of topics, from sports history to English rhetoric.
And the staff always knows when National History Day comes around because every year, without fail, we receive requests from elementary school students from around the country who want to know more about Owens for their projects. Their enthusiasm and curiosity about Owens are an annual delight. In fact, it is always our pleasure and honor to help patrons connect with Owens who, 35 years after his death, can still inspire people from around the world to learn about his life and his legacy.
To learn more about Jesse Owens, see the Archives’ online exhibit about him. And, check out the Owens’ photographic collection on the Libraries Knowledge Bank.
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