One hundred and sixty-six years ago, the founders of Wittenberg began construction of the campus’ first building on a hill overlooking Springfield, Ohio.

That hill still stands above the city, but several landmarks that once identified Wittenberg have since changed, leaving their original appearance preserved on old postcards and in aged publications.

For David Chilson ’69, however, such postcards have stirred a passion and started a widespread search for memorabilia from his alma mater.

Chilson, an associate professor of computer science at Bowling Green State University, said he started collecting Wittenberg treasures after reading an article in Wittenberg Today (Winter 1991) on fellow classmate Kenneth W. Bladh '69, professor of geology and interim provost, who collects Wittenberg postcards.

Chilson contacted Bladh, and they exchanged duplicate postcards. From there, Chilson managed to purchase some old and rare Wittenberg postcards from a friend who is a private collector.

Now, 10 years later, Chilson’s search has unlocked a world of memories and created new ones along the way. Always interested in history, Chilson recalls a trip to the Myers attic with his resident adviser, Robert E. Springer ’67, while on campus in the late 1960s.

“There were many, many initials and dates, including ’76, ’84 and ’92, etc. Of course in 1966, those had to refer to the 1800s,” he said with excitement.

This year he accompanied Jim Dexter, director of public relations, into the steeple of Recitation Hall and found more initials and dates. One of those, “Harlan Miller, 1943,” dated 1942, reminded Chilson of classmate David Harlan Miller ’69.

The next day he called Miller and discovered that it was Miller’s father whose birthday was coming up in a few days. Chilson scanned the photos he and Dexter had taken of the writing and e-mailed them.

Miller told him that they were “quite a hit at the 80th birthday get-together.” Chilson said that e-bay has been a source of many items, including postcards, a copy of Harold H. Lentz’s A History ofWittenberg College (1845-1845) and many yearbooks, one a mint-condition 1895 copy.

Most yearbooks have names in the front covers, and he enjoys learning whatever he can about the alumni who owned them. This spring Chilson received memorabilia that his uncle, the late Harry Morell Roller Jr. ’39, had saved.

One item was a program from a Beta Theta Pi fraternity formal, complete with a dance card and encased in gold-toned metal with a cover inscription of Woodlawn Hall.

It was the Betas last year in the building, which would later become a residence hall. There were also copies of The Wittenberger, an allcolor, 15-cent student publication filled with pictures, jokes, cartoons and ads for local businesses.

In addition, the collection contained copies of The Bulletin, which boasted pictures of Homecoming displays, a tradition that Chilson remembers from his years on campus. “Some of the displays might be two or three stories high,” he said.

He also remembers his generation being the last to wear beanies, and he recalls enjoying Alma Mater in the Hollow for the last time.

The tradition ended in 1967. Perhaps the quest to remember those traditions and times fuels Chilson to continue collecting or perhaps it’s all for fun. Whatever the reason, his diverse collection certainly can attest to his success.

Yet, in all the books, postcards, pictures and publications he has found, two postcards stand out the most. He calls them his favorites.

“A picture of Myers Hall without pillars, and a 1905 postcard of Recitation Hall,” he said, noting that early postcards left no space for writing. In this case, though, someone found a way and wrote the following on the side of the picture of Recitation Hall: “This would be a fine place for me.” Chilson couldn’t agree more.

—Phyllis Eberts ’00

If you have a special collection or a memory to share about Wittenberg, please let us know at wittmagazine@wittenberg.edu. We would enjoy hearing from you.