University Archives Launch Online SLU-Themed Puzzles
04/16/2020
What makes completing a jigsaw puzzle to pass the time at home even better? Completing a puzzle that helps unlock scenes from Saint Louis University’s storied history.
Inspired by museums and galleries around the world, the University Archives are creating puzzles out of the photographs and artworks contained in their collections as a way of not highlighting the items they house, but also as a way for SLU students, faculty and staff members to stay connected to the campus community while learning and working remotely due to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The archives released their first digital SLU puzzle on Wednesday, April 15. A new puzzle will be posted twice weekly.
The puzzles can be played on phone, tablet, or computer.
In addition to puzzles, the archives staff will also post occasional coloring pages of the original art used in SLU's historic yearbooks. The first coloring sheet is due out Monday, April 20.
“We'll be highlighting different aspects of the University's history and images of the campus at different moments,” University archivist Caitlin Stamm explained. “SLU Archives’ holds hundreds of thousands of images and we love to connect the SLU community to its history. I thought we could highlight the wonderful materials in our collection and offer a fun and creative way to connect to the SLU community from home.”
As of now, the theme is archivist favorites. Stamm and archives staff will also select images based on holidays and special campus dates like Teddy Roosevelt's visit to campus in 1903.
The archives will continue posting g puzzles through the end of stay-at-home orders in effect for the St. Louis region and State of Missouri. It is possible the puzzle project will continue after the end of those orders, Stamm said.
Explore SLU’s Archives and Digital Collections from Home
To keep up with the archives, follow them on Twitter @SLUArchives.
If alumni, students, faculty, or staff members are interested in contributing their own photographs, memorabilia or materials from their time at SLU, the Archives accept donations and interested donors can contact them to learn more or with questions.