The Atkinson Collection contains several unique items that reference significant people, events and occurrences associated with Student Unions & Activities history. The physical items listed here can be found either at University Archives in the Andersen Library or right here in Coffman Memorial Union!
This chair was presented to President Lotus D. Coffman by the class of 1931 as a commemorative gift. It is an exact replica of a solid oak chair that was used by Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover, both US presidents between the years of 1922 - 1933. The original solid oak chair was built by a Minneapolis store in 1925. Exclusive use of this replica was reserved for President Coffman.
Location: Coffman Union Presidents room
Original plaster relief light fixtures, 1940s, served as a light fixture in the ceiling of Coffman Union’s Mississippi room. Find more versions in the Great Hall and Foyer of the Fountain Terrace.
The original constitution of the Minnesota Union was published in the Minnesota Daily on Tuesday, May 5th 1908, the same day it was ratified by governing members.
The Minnesota Men’s Union Scrapbook contains notes, letters, meeting minutes and editorial materials of concern to the Men’s Union. It also contains excerpts of the first board of governors’ constitution written in 1908.
Coffman Guest Book
This artifact is the original guest book of Coffman Union dating back to 1940. It contains articles and signatures of visitors from around the world. Notable signatures include Patricia Nixon and John D. Rockefeller among others.
The Atkinson Collection contains numerous brochures that were created to showcase Coffman Memorial Union’s programs. Those listed here were created in the 1940s and in 1960.
The 1940 date book was used by the events & conferences department of the Minnesota Union and later Coffman Memorial Union. On each page the book indicates a room number, duration, and title of event under the appropriate date. Union dances, music hour and social clubs of various interests are listed. Although the summer months are light, the end of September became quite populated with events leading up to the opening of Coffman Memorial Union on Oct 4th, 1940.
