From the Archives … new display in Library from June 08

“The History of Farming at the RAC” now on display in the Library Foyer.  Replaces “Running and Racing at the RAC” and shows the many changes in farming and its teaching here at the forefront of agricultural education from 1845 to the present day. 

New Library Display: “RAC Running and Racing”

A new display now in Library on everything from RAC donkey racing in 1887 to the College’s Stroud Marathon effort in 2007.  Come and be inspired!

RAC Archive News

Anatomy Class, 1950

Introduction and Contacts

Welcome to the RAC Archive – a large and unique collection of items produced by the College since its foundation in 1845.   Together these pictures, plans, student and staff lists, minutes, maps, medals and magazines, etc, document the life and times of the College as the pioneering educator of agriculture in the English speaking world.   The RAC archive catalogue is included in the National Archives database at http://www.a2a.org.uk/ and any enquiries into the College history or its past staff and students can be sent to the Archivist, Lorna Parker, The Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, Glos GL7 6JS; tel 01285 652531 ext 2275; email  Lorna.Parker@rac.ac.uk

Current News and Views

Exhibitions in the Library:

• College life and scenes from the 1880s
• Hand engraved frontispieces from the library’s Historical Book collection
• Bobby Boutfour, ‘one of the great men of British Agriculture’ and RAC Principal 1931-58
• RAC Running and Racing

Suggestions for future exhibitions drawing on the images and historical documents from the College Archive and the Historical Agricultural Book Colllection are welcome. To make a suggestion please email Lorna.Parker@rac.ac.uk or leave a comment.

A new table display case is coming allowing larger, heavier items to be put on view

A regular column, “From the Archives …”, is entered in the RAC’s weekly staff newsletter, The Oracle.

Ploughing demonstration, ca 1935