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Special items in Special Collections

Located on the third floor of the Cullom-Davis Library, the Special Collections department of Bradley focuses on retrieving and preserving the items of Bradley and is Peoria’s past. Here are some of the oldest and most interesting items, pertaining mostly to our founder, Lydia Moss Bradley:

 

Dedication to University Street (1871)

This signed document was a dedication to Lydia Moss Bradley, after she donated land for University Street, formerly known as Bradley Street, to be made. Lydia signed as Lydia Bradley Clarke after marrying her second husband, Edward Clarke.

Parsons’ Horological Institute diploma (1896)

Before Bradley became Bradley Polytechnic Institute, Lydia moved Parsons’ Horological Institute from Indiana to Peoria. This is a general diploma from the institution at the time.

Medal (1896)

This message inscribed on the medal says: “Presented to Lydia on her eightieth birthday, July, 31, 1996, in recognition of her philanthropical deeds in Peoria.” According to Bradley’s website, Lydia’s deeds include donating land and money to Children’s Home, Universalist Church, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and Laura Bradley Park, as well as funding the Bradley Home for Aged Women.

Lydia’s Daybook (1897)

This is a book kept by Lydia to keep track of all her spending. She had a business manager, W. W. Hammond, who helped run real estate transactions and met with her every morning, but Lydia had the final say on every transaction. Lydia also hid all of her money in a secret place in her house.

Ribbon on Keys to Bradley Hall (1897)

Although the keys do not reside in Special Collections, the ribbon attached to the original Bradley Hall keys is available to view. The keys were given by Lydia to Bradley Polytechnic Institute’s first President of the Board of Trustees, Oliver Bailey.

The Tech (1898)

While Bradley was still Bradley Polytechnic Institute, The Tech was The Scout predecessed. An excerpt from the first issue reads, “When [BPI] was first opened, many of the students debated whether or not it would be too great an undertaking to edit a paper … it was believed that if all the students would lend their assistance, it could be made a success in every way.”

National Women’s Hall of Fame Medal (1998)

This award was given to Lydia Moss Bradley posthumously in 1998 for her induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. Lydia was recognized as the first woman to serve on the national bank board.

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