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John Bigelow, Renaissance Man:
John Bigelow (Nov. 25, 1817-Dec. 19, 1911) was an American author, diplomat, lawyer, and distinguished man of letters. His work in politics and diplomacy involved him in many significant historical events, such as discouraging France from building ships for the Confederacy during the Civil War, assisting with the construction of the Panama Canal, and helping to expose the political corruption of Tammany Hall’s William “Boss” Tweed in New York City. His collection contains correspondence from an extensive list of political, literary, and social leaders of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Found in Union College’s Schaffer Library, Bigelow’s correspondence (about 24,000 letters), his library (approximately 6,000 books ranging from the 16th-20th centuries), and professional papers offer a wide array of materials from the Reconstruction Era, the Gilded Age, and the Progressive Era. Despite his remarkable contributions and impact on 19th century world history, Bigelow remains relatively unknown in popular historical narratives. Quietly Shaping History: John Bigelow's Influence on 19th Century Politics brings Bigelow's story to light and offers new insights on his pivotal role in American history.
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This exhibit illustrates the extraordinary life of Union College alumnus John Bigelow (1817-1911, UC 1835) who played a pivotal role in shaping the Reconstruction Era, the Gilded Age, and the Progressive Era through his roles as an American author, diplomat, lawyer, philanthropist, and distinguished man of letters. Despite his remarkable contributions and impact on 19th-century world history, John Bigelow remains relatively unknown in popular historical narratives
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The Radio Workshop was formed in 1939. With the advent of carrier current, a broadcasting technique which uses low-power transmissions over a select geographic range, David Borst helped establish the first broadcast on September 22, 1941. This became known as the Union Broadcasting System which sent broadcasts via an electrical power line running from the Electrical Engineering Building to North College.(18) The success of the broadcast helped unify all the radio groups on campus and in March 1942, they were combined to form the Union College Radio Society (UCRS).(19)
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On October 14, 1920, a radio broadcast came from Union College via “wireless telephone,” as reported in the Schenectady Gazette. This was the first broadcast for public entertainment in the United States.(1) The development of radio at Union College can be attributed to many individuals, many of whom worked for General Electric and cooperated with students and faculty on campus. As it developed, it encountered frequent interruptions and changes.
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By the 1960s, the station sorely needed a technical overhaul. WRUC hoped to become an FM station, however, such a system required the approval of both the FCC and Union’s Board of Trustees. In 1963, the Board of Trustees denied the station’s proposal to become an FM station.(24)
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The first broadcasts of the Radio Club consisted of sending transmissions in Morse code and streaming phonograph records, and soon after it began broadcasting campus events such as athletic games and dances. Call letters were changed to W2XBN for a few years and changed to W2GSB in 1932.(11) The Radio Club engaged in famous historic events, such as, on May 6, 1921, a live broadcast from an antenna rigged up to a baby carriage and wheeled through downtown Schenectady. This was quite possibly the world’s first portable broadcast receiver.(12)
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To celebrate the 101st anniversary of WRUC, we offer this exhibit highlighting the importance of Union College’s radio history. This was the first radio station in New York State and one of the earliest in the nation. We hope you are inspired to tune in at 89.7 FM.
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exhibit banner for Night of the Living Radio
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Historians estimate that almost a fifth of colonial New York’s population was enslaved. Albany and Schenectady were no different. When Union College was founded in 1795, Schenectady had about 450 enslaved residents. These enslaved people toiled on small farms, worked in shops, and carried out work requested by their masters. New York merchants made fortunes trading crops such as tobacco, sugar, and indigo—all produced from enslaved labor. Early colonial New York Dutch merchants also lined their pockets from the slave trade.