As we rush headlong into exams, we at the Duke University Archives thought everyone could use an entertaining diversion. So we’re embracing the Duke Squirrels meme, and adding a historical perspective—courtesy of our collections!
In the 1930s, Pee Wee the Squirrel was a frequent visitor to the offices of the Duke University Press (when it was based in East Duke Building). Exie Duncan, a longtime employee of the press, snapped this picture of Pee Wee having his mid-day snack.
The squirrels had many favorite eateries on West Campus, too. (This is before Armadillo Grill, so they had to make do with something other than queso!)
When they weren’t busy snacking, the Duke squirrels occupied themselves with photobombing would-be-charming photos of campus buildings. We imagine this photo below (of the Bryan Center walkway) never made it into a Duke promotional brochure.
Following those brief adventures, the squirrels went right back to eating. Our favorite find was an August 11, 1966 letter from Security Division chief W. C. A. Bear to director of operations Henry F. Bowers. The letter is a carbon copy, so it’s tricky to read (click on the image to enlarge it)—but well worth it!
(click to enlarge)
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6 Responses to Historical Duke Squirrels
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Welcome to the blog of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Duke University.
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New Books and Other Publications at the Rubenstein Library- Scraps
- Letters
- Paul Derval, a le plaisir de vous presenter Une vraie folie : superspectacle en 2 actes et 40 tableaux de Michel Gyarmathy.
- Casino de Paris : Tout Paris, revue en 2 actes et 45 tableaux de M.M. Albert Willemetz, Saint Granier et Jean Le Seyeux, présentée par Léon Volterra.
- Premier album descriptif de Montmartre en 1927
- New Rubenstein Library Materials Added to the Internet Archive
- Novellen und Erzählungen (Volume c.1) May 21, 2013
- Der Roman der XII; (Volume c.1) May 21, 2013
- Im Hafen : lyrische und epische Dichtungen (Volume c.1) May 21, 2013
- Die Pietisten : Roman aus dem Leben der neuesten Zeit May 21, 2013
- Die Pietisten : Roman aus dem Leben der neuesten Zeit (Volume Bd.2 c.1) May 20, 2013
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Great post, fun to see the animals like Duke as much as the Staff
that post to this Blog. All have a great weekend.
I have some to share, too!
Squirrel on my scooter
Pop up squirrel
Oh no! The links aren’t working–can you submit them again, Beth? We love your photos!
Love Mr. Bear’s (great name) sense of humor. I’d love to see the criminal prosecution of the squirrel on vending machine spree!
One summer when I was at Duke, I wondered why the candy machine in the basement of the old Union was always empty. Then one day I saw a squirrel crawl out of the machine with a Mounds bar in his mouth. Mystery solved.
Sounds like they had a delightful hoard in a campus tree somewhere; I wonder if we’ll find a cache of wrappers one day! Thanks for sharing such a great story!