Jill Smith
Staff Writer
jsmith194@murraystate.edu
To commemorate the Centennial Celebration, University Libraries and the Office of Development hosted the Grand Opening of the Centennial Exhibit in Wrather West Kentucky Museum on April 21.
Interim Dean of Libraries Cris Ferguson said planning for the exhibit began in 2020 with drafting storyboards, which are now displayed in Wrather Museum.
“In early 2021, we began to gather images for Murray State’s Special Collections archives and worked to design and build our exhibits managed this spring,” Ferguson said. “Two years after this exhibit was first envisioned, it has finally come together.”
Four rooms within the Exhibit featured artifacts and history of the University from different points in time. With one room displaying old cheerleading uniforms and letterman jackets.
Ferguson said these exhibits are a celebration of Murray State’s history and growth.
“These interactive exhibits bring to life the rich history of this institution, chronicling our transition from a normal school of just 87 students to a nationally recognized regional prominent … university of more than 9,000 students,” Ferguson said. “Moreover, through these exhibits, we acknowledge and celebrate all of those who have contributed to making Murray State the finest place you know.”
All exhibits on the main floor galleries were curated by students in the class Introduction to Public History and Topical Seminar in Information Studies.
Murray State alumnus Melvin Henley was the event’s guest speaker.
Henley said the University has changed considerably since his time as a student—there were only seven buildings on Murray State’s grounds at the time.
“The boundaries of the campus were Main Street, Fifteenth Street and Sixteenth Street and a portion of Chestnut Street,” Henley said. “Dr. Carr, being the visionary that he was, during the recession, [when] 40 acres became available on the north side of Chestnut Street, he fought for that 40 acres because he knew that Murray State sometime in the future would need that.”
He graduated in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics before continuing to get his PhD in chemistry and physics in 1964.
Henley also received a Masters in Business Administration in 1990 at the University of Mississippi.
Henley was a former chemistry professor, department chair and Board of Regents member at the University.
“In his many years in public service, he served as mayor of the City of Murray in 1978 to 1982, as well as his stint on the Murray City Council,” Executive Director of Governmental and Institutional Relations Jordan Smith said. “Lastly, [he served] as state representative from 2005 to 2013 … as co-chair of the Capital Projects Committee and on the budget of the Subcommittee on Post-secondary Education.”
The Exhibit highlighted the changes the University has gone through since Henley’s years as an undergraduate student.
Jackson said he is grateful for the work of University Libraries and those who helped curate the exhibits.
The exhibit also features photos from Digital and Media Services Manager Jeremy McKeel.
Director of Special Collections and Archives Jeff McLaughlin said renovations on the museum have already started, with more work starting this summer.
“Work has already begun in the underbelly of the building on stuff like the boiler, internet stacks, etc,” McLaughlin said. “Much of the building will be a construction site when the fall term starts, but all of the work in the main gallery spaces has already been completed and we’re free to resume normal museum operations.”
A renovation timeline has not been announced, but McLauglin said he does not expect the space to be ready for classes and events until 2023.
Wrather Museum is currently closed for renovations, but will re-open in August for those interested in visiting the Centennial Exhibit.
For those interested in the University’s Centennial, visit the Centennial page on Murray State’s website at murraystate.edu/centennial.