The Story of Enschede and Memphis by William R. Herstein

While looking for a different book in the museum library this morning, I spotted this small text. I love Memphis history, especially the history that has not been widely written and debated (I'm talking about you, Civil War and Yellow Fever epidemic). Evidently, after World War II Memphis "adopted" the city of Enschede, Netherlands, because of the cotton trading connection between the cities. Students made cigar boxes full of school supplies and citizens donated clothing and money and shipped them to Enschede via New York. When a new hotel was opened in Enschede in 1950, it was named Memphis-hotel and originally flew the flags of the Kingdom of Holland, the United States, and the City of Memphis. Who knew?

For some more stories about Memphis' colorful past, check out the Memphis Moments that were writen by staff members at the Pink Palace.

Memphis in the Twenties by Robert A. Lanier

It is difficult to know where you are going unless you know where you have been. Memphis, it seems, has been just about everywhere, and the Commercial Appeal has covered it all. The Twenties were an interesting time for the city with colorful local characters, a construction boom, massive flooding, segregation, political corruption, and Prohibition. The city also became nationally renowned for having a very high murder rate. (Some things just do not change.) I read this book for work, but it had the added bonus of making me appreciate my quirky city a bit more.

Clarence Saunders: The Piggly Wiggly Man by Mike Freeman

OK, this one's for work. I am doing a research project at the museum, and I found this piece derived from the author's thesis in the museum library. There's so much more to Saunders than reading a few panels will let you know. Depending on your perspective, we can either thank him for making our lives more efficient or be angry that he was a leading force in the dehumanization of daily transactions. I guess it depends on if you are more of a glass-half-full or a glass-half-empty type.

The Passing of the Baton: Christian Brothers University--A Memphis Midtown University in Transition by Br. Terence McLaughlin

CBU was the last place I wanted to go for college. I had big dreams about leaving home, studying international relations, and never, ever going Greek. Thankfully, my wishes made as an eighteen-year-old did not come true. CBU has become a second home for me and introduced me to the incredible world of Midtown Memphis. I have spent four remarkable years living with my best friend, being challenged as a history major, forming close, working relationships with my professors, and (arguablly most importantly) learning how to have fun. Of course CBU has its problems, but I firmly believe that there is much more good than bad. I feel blessed to have gone to a school where all of my professors know me by name and my diverse group of friends regularly push me to do things that I find terrifying. The knowledge that I am leaving this special place in just nine short weeks is saddening. I know that no matter which graduate school I enroll in, it will not have the same atmosphere that this place does. St. John Baptiste de la Salle, pray for us. Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.