Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ

news-category: Campus News

Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ Archives and Earl Scruggs Center Collaborate on Bible Exhibit

The Bible of N.C. Gov. O. Max Gardner on display in the exhibit.

Sponsored by O. Max Gardner Foundation, Display Features Different Roles of Bibles in Society

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—By the late 18th Century, Bibles had become treasured family heirlooms—not just for the spiritual aspect, but because the pages were used to record marriages, births and deaths. In recognition of the secular ways the Bible was used in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the of Cleveland County have created an exhibit: “Bound by Faith: The Bibles of Cleveland County.� The exhibit, sponsored by the , will be featured through March 31 in the Ali Pouryousefi Gallery at Tucker Student Center.

The formal exhibit opening and reception will be held Feb. 17 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The idea was proposed by Earl Scruggs Center Curator Zach Dressel, who approached the University Archivist Dr. Natalie Bishop, with the possibility collaborating on an exhibit that utilized artifacts held in both the Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ Archive and Cleveland County Historical Collections. “I noticed that we had all these old Bibles in the Cleveland County Historical Collections, and I really wanted to find some way to display them,â€� Dressel noted.

Earl Scruggs Center Curator Zach Dressel approached Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ Archivist Dr. Natalie Bishop about collaborating on the Bible exhibit.

As Dressel and Bishop reviewed their collections, they decided to create an exhibit that examines how the Bible has been used in society outside the scope of Biblical or spiritual study. The exhibit focuses on the role of the Bibles as a tool for family record keeping, historical research, political ceremonies and in the military. Included in the exhibit is a range of Bibles dating from 1648 through the early 1900s.

Visitors can enjoy seeing the actual Bibles on display in protected cases and get a glimpse of the inside by viewing high-resolution scans of the pages. The Bible used by O. Max Gardner when he took the oath of office as North Carolina governor in 1929 is included in the exhibit. Also featured is a scanned page from the family Bible of James Milton Webb, with notations by his great-granddaughter Fay Webb Gardner (wife of former N.C. Gov. O. Max Gardner and Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ namesake). Bibles of interest to genealogists include the Hamrick, Whitworth, and Young Bibles, all of which contain extensive family history pages. The Hamrick Bible includes a rare feature in family Bibles—several pages of tintype photographs, which are also included in the display. 

Panels also describe the importance and process of preserving Bibles for future generations. Included are videos demonstrating how artifacts, such as Bibles, are scanned and made available online. Visitors can learn about how to transcribe historical, handwritten family history pages and participate in transcribing Bibles in the exhibit.

About the Earl Scruggs Center:

The combines the life story of legendary five-string banjo master and Cleveland County native, Earl Scruggs, with the unique and engaging story of the history and cultural traditions of the region in which Mr. Scruggs was born and raised.

About Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ:

Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to six professional schools, 14 academic departments, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ.edu.

Previous News Article

Books Inspire Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ Alumna to Rise Above Poverty, Earn Doctorate

Next News Article

Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ Hosts Dr. Russell Moore, ‘Christianity Today’ Public Theologian, on March 1, 2022

Related News

  • News Article

    Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ Men’s and Women’s Basketball Season Tickets on Sale Now

    Options Include Discounts for Bulldog Club Members and Super Season Tickets to all 28 Men’s and Women’s Home Games BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.— Season tickets for the upcoming Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ basketball season at Paul Porter Arena are now available for purchase. Fans can choose from men’s and women’s season ticket packages or a super season ticket combo. […]

    basketball tickets landscape
  • News Article

    Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ Theatre Presents ‘Clue’

    Performances Scheduled for Oct. 29-Nov. 1 in Dover Theatre BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Mystery, comedy, and plenty of surprises take center stage as Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ Theatre presents “Clue,â€� a murder mystery based on the Parker Brothers board game. Who did it? In what room? And with what weapon? The show is a fun and fast ride through […]

    Clue-Poster-story
  • News Article

    From Reserved Student to Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ Campus Leader, Wade Gross Makes the Most of Every Opportunity

    Senior Follows His Father’s Advice to Step Outside His Comfort Zone, Discovering Leadership, Friendship and Community BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—When Wade Gross, of Senoia, Ga., arrived at Âé¶¹ÆÆ½â°æ, he carried with him a challenge from his father. “In high school, I was a rather reserved person,â€� he reflected. “I didn’t really get out and do […]

    Wade Gross, left, Peer Leader, talks to students in the first-year experience class.