Fran Mayhew with one of the blazers in the Alison Hall Anniex exhibit.

Treasured UD blazers–or, in some cases, just the blazer pockets–have returned home to the U

niversity for an exhibition, "Traditions of a Bygone Era: The University of Delaware Class Blazers 1951-1971," which may be viewed in the first, second floor and third floor display areas of Alison Hall Annex.

An opening reception to honor the donors will be held Homecoming Weekend at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 27. The display will be on view until Jan. 5.

When the call went out for UD class blazers for the University's Historic Costume Collection in the Messenger in 1998, the response was exciting, according to Fran Mayhew, consumer studies.

"Not only did we acquire blazers, blazer pockets and some freshman beanies, which were required headgear in those days, we uncovered a treasure trove of UD memories from our donors. We received two men's blazers; the rest belonged to women. Men's blazers, at the time, usually had fraternity emblems on them rather than a University design," Mayhew said.

"We asked the donors where they wore the blazers, which gave us a glimpse at the social history

of the University at the time. They wore them for all sorts of special ev

ents–on dates, to football games, for yearbook photographs or for organizational meetings, such as student government and when the student government president attended Faculty Senate meetings, or for meetings of junior counselors who acted as big sisters and brothers to freshmen," Mayhew said.

"For many alumni, the blazers were important mementos of their college years. One came to us from as far away as Arizona. Another alumna had designed a needlepoint pattern based on her blazer pocket. One former student had a scrapbook filled with memorabilia from her college years, including several candid shots of students in blazers and the invoice for her blazer. The invoice was of particular interest since the companies making the blazers are no longer in business, although I am continuing to search for their records," Mayhew said.

The pocket designs varied from class to class, and the emblems included the University seal, the state of Delaware seal, interlocking UDs, Old College and a column/scroll design among others. Some were designed by students in yearly competitions. But, in later years, more elaborate designs, such as one with crossed swords, a torch and multicolored borders, may have been professionally designed, Mayhew said.

The blazer colors and styles ranged from white to dark blue, with or without piping. One standout is a pale blue UD blazer (1960).

Three undergraduate students are working on the project with Mayhew–junior Jessica Urick, an art conservation major with an interest in textiles; Rebecca Lamet. a sophomore majoring in history; and Kate Gibboni, a senior fashion merchandising major.

"Each is contributing her unique expertise in making the exhibit a success," Mayhew said.

One blazer in particular is treasured by Mayhew–her own from 1963. Mayhew wore her blazer the night she was serenaded by Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, after she became pinned to Eric, her husband of 38 years. She met him playing in the UD Marching Band and married him during her senior year.

"I had to get special permission to be out of the dorm after 10 p.m., and my roommates were allowed out as well to photograph the event. As was the tradition in those days, fraternity members came over with lit candles and serenaded the couple, with girls hanging out Warner Hall's windows looking on," she recalled.

Mayhew, who has her bachelor's and master's degrees from Delaware, is scheduled to receive her doctorate in textile conservation science from the University of Maryland this winter.

–Sue Moncure

Photo by: KATHY FLINKINGER