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Design for a Duchess Zine
Rachel Rubin (T'19) created a zine that spoofs "Design for a Duchess," criticizing unrealistic standards placed on Duke women and providing advice about life at an elite university. The zine addresses the “effortless perfection” myth, a term coined by the 2003 Duke Women’s Initiative report that describes the pressure on undergraduate women to appear effortlessly flawless in all areas. The author encourages students to resist this pressure and instead to seek the joy that comes from a self-defined Duke experience. -
Design for a Duchess handbook
The Social Standards Committee at the Duke Woman's College created and distributed an annual handbook with tips for incoming Duke “co-eds” (female students) from 1930 to 1972, which includes guidelines for dress and information about social events. Although social life was important to the Woman's College students, they were also known for their excellent academic performance and leadership in extracurricular activities. -
Blue Devil Doll
The Blue Devil we know and love today is not the same one that cheered on Duke athletes 100 years ago. The "Blue Devil" comes from Les Diables Bleus–an elite French infantry unit that served in World War I. Inspired by their courage, The Chronicle began calling Trinity College’s football team the Blue Devils in 1921, and the name stuck. The Duke mascot has undergone several costume changes and students of all backgrounds have donned the mask to serve as the Blue Devil. -
Divinity School Integration Petition
The Divinity School was the first part of Duke to advocate for integration. In their 1948 petition, they argue for the admission of Black students to their school, wanting to give Black Christians the same chance at preparing for ministry and stating that other seminaries in the South have already started to integrate. The 1948 petition and another in 1956 were given to the Board of Trustees and President A. Hollis Edens, but failed to sway either. The graduate and professional schools desegregated in 1961, with the undergraduate schools following shortly after in 1962. Ruben Lee Speakes was the first Black student enrolled in the Divinity School in 1961. -
International House Photographs
These photographs show a gathering at the Duke International House, now the Duke International Student Center (DISC). International students have been part of the Duke community since student Charlie Soong enrolled at Trinity College in 1881. DISC advocates for and provides advising, educational programming, and community for international students. Other organizations include the Duke International Association, a student-run social organization for international students. -
Golden Diya (candle)
Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs. During the holiday, people set out diyas, a type of oil lamp often lit with a cotton wick, to symbolize the victory of light over darkness. Celebrations have previously been put on by the Duke India Association, now known as Duke Diya. Currently, the Hindu Student Association organizes Diwali celebrations on campus, along with other religious holidays and services such as Holi and Hindu Baccalaureate. In 2013, Duke hired its first Hindu Chaplain, Madhu Sharma, to support Hindu Life on campus. Duke Diya has focused on hosting social events for South Asian students and co-hosts celebrations with South Asian and other cultural organizations. -
Hindu Students Association Diwali Flyer
Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs. During the holiday, people set out diyas, a type of oil lamp often lit with a cotton wick, to symbolize the victory of light over darkness. Celebrations have previously been put on by the Duke India Association, now known as Duke Diya. Currently, the Hindu Student Association organizes Diwali celebrations on campus, along with other religious holidays and services such as Holi and Hindu Baccalaureate. In 2011, Duke hired its first Hindu Chaplain, Usha Rajagopalan, to support Hindu Life on campus. Duke Diya has focused on hosting social events for South Asian students and co-hosts celebrations with South Asian and other cultural organizations. -
A Guide to Contraception and Abortion
This guide, originally created by medical students in 1970, was revised by two undergraduates in 1974. It directs students to safe abortion care providers at Duke and in Durham, implores students not to self-administer abortions, and explains various contraception methods. The guide was distributed by the Committee on Contraception and Abortion (est. 1970), which was made up of Duke medical students committed to distributing information about safe sexual health options. -
Charley's Final Peal
“Charley,” the bell that now hangs in the Kilgo belfry, was brought to Duke by the Red Friars, Duke’s first and best-known “secret society.” The Red Friars were founded in 1913 for the purpose of producing “better feeling between the different collegiate societies,” according to The Chronicle. Usually composed of leaders of fraternities and student organizations, they engaged in a number of campus improvement projects, including an attempt to reform residential life. The bell was hoisted into the Kilgo belfry in 1951, where the Friars would ring it for ceremonies. The Red Friars chose to disband in 1971. -
Kilgo Clapper
“Charley,” the bell that now hangs in the Kilgo belfry, was brought to Duke by the Red Friars, Duke’s first and best-known “secret society.” The Red Friars were founded in 1913 for the purpose of producing “better feeling between the different collegiate societies,” according to The Chronicle. Usually composed of leaders of fraternities and student organizations, they engaged in a number of campus improvement projects, including an attempt to reform residential life. The bell was hoisted into the Kilgo belfry in 1951, where the Friars would ring it for ceremonies. The Red Friars chose to disband in 1971. -
1949 Bus Boycott Photograph
When Duke Power, the campus bus provider at the time, increased bus fares by 5 cents, students erupted in protest, declaring “Shoe Leather Day,” a campus-wide boycott of buses. In one of the earliest instances of activism at Duke, students walked and carpooled between East Campus and West Campus. A 1993 article would later write that “the nation knew of students roller-skating, using pogo-sticks, and riding in the cars of faculty members.” Buses ran empty as the protest stretched from a day to a week. Ultimately, the protest was unsuccessful and Duke Power maintained the fares. -
Roller Skate
When Duke Power, the campus bus provider at the time, increased bus fares by 5 cents, students erupted in protest, declaring “Shoe Leather Day,” a campus-wide boycott of buses. In one of the earliest instances of activism at Duke, students walked and carpooled between East Campus and West Campus. A 1993 article would later write that “the nation knew of students roller-skating, using pogo-sticks, and riding in the cars of faculty members.” Buses ran empty as the protest stretched from a day to a week. Ultimately, the protest was unsuccessful and Duke Power maintained the fares. -
Bus Boycott Newspaper
When Duke Power, the campus bus provider at the time, increased bus fares by 5 cents, students erupted in protest, declaring “Shoe Leather Day,” a campus-wide boycott of buses. In one of the earliest instances of activism at Duke, students walked and carpooled between East Campus and West Campus. A 1993 article would later write that “the nation knew of students roller-skating, using pogo-sticks, and riding in the cars of faculty members.” Buses ran empty as the protest stretched from a day to a week. Ultimately, the protest was unsuccessful and Duke Power maintained the fares. -
Wartime Menu
This wartime menu depicts Duke dining choices for students during World War II. Rationing of items such as meat, sugar, butter, and canned goods was common. Unemployment during this time was high, while prices and wages were low. A filet mignon steak worth 50 cents would amount to $9.33 in 2024. Specials include the “co-ed special,” a peanut butter, jelly, and lettuce sandwich. -
WDBS Programs
Before WXDU, Duke's radio station today, there was WDUK—and before that, there was WDBS, which broadcasted across the airways from 1950 to the 1970s. WDBS would create programs to advertise the shows students could tune into. For decades, Duke’s radio station has provided listeners with news and tunes from a variety of DJs, sourced from Duke students and the surrounding Durham community. You can tune into WXDU at 88.7 FM. -
Woman's College Student Government Gavel
The Duke Woman’s College, founded in 1930, served as one of the most rigorous academic institutions for women until its 1972 merger with Trinity College. The Woman’s College offered professional and academic guidance for students, welcoming students from thirty-three states and multiple foreign countries. As early as 1935, Duke women were encouraged to create community and participate in student organizations, including the Women’s Athletic Association, the Women’s Orchestra, the student-edited publication Distaff, and the Woman’s College Student Government. This gavel highlights the names of the Woman’s College Student Government Presidents from 1938 to 1954. -
I <3 Shooters Necklace and 2 T-shirts
"Work hard, play hard" has long been the unofficial motto of student life at Duke, from George’s Garage to Ringside to Shooters. Popular nightclub Shooters originally opened in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Following a fire, it relocated to Hillsborough Road in Durham as Shooters II Oyster Bar, before settling at its current location in downtown Durham in 1998. Gaining traction around 2004, it continues to be the go-to space for Saturday night life for many Duke students. -
Celestial Omnibus Coffee House Flyer, 1967
Opened in 1967 as the “Celestial Omnibus Coffee House,” this student-run bar, dining space, and musical programming body was housed in the basement of the Flowers building. Following its closure and then revival in the 1970s, the Duke Coffeehouse (as it’s named today) was tucked away in the Crowell building on East Campus, where it continues to serve late-night coffee and host concerts. It is a well-loved space by those who find themselves drawn to the relaxed environment and music by independent artists. -
Inplant Food Management
While today Duke is known for its robust dining experience, the student dining experience has varied widely over the last 100 years. East Campus previously had three eateries, including “Downunder,” housed in the basement of then all-women Gilbert-Addoms dorm. These dining areas allowed students to gather in different spaces, facilitating social connections in a way very different from dining today. -
East Dope Shop Renovated
While today Duke is known for its robust dining experience, the student dining experience has varied widely over the last 100 years. East Campus previously had three eateries, including “Downunder,” housed in the basement of then all-women Gilbert-Addoms dorm. These dining areas allowed students to gather in different spaces, facilitating social connections in a way very different from dining today.
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