Non-Ephemera Ephemeral Blogs

That headline may not make a lot of sense… so let me try to explain.

As I read blogs from across the US and from our friends in other parts of the world, I sometimes uncover one that has a purpose and intention other than talking about Ephemera… but in the end, actually has a lot to say, and show, of an Ephemera collectors interest.

Case in point is the “North Carolina Miscellany” blog which has a sub-heading of “Exploring the History, Literature and Culture of the Tar Hill State”. Here is what they have to say in their “About Us” page:

North Carolina Miscellany is a blog produced, edited, and maintained by the North Carolina Collection at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The North Carolina Collection, located in historic Wilson Library, is the state’s premier collection of published materials documenting the history, literature, and culture of the Tar Heel state. The collection is free and open to the public.

The North Carolina Miscellany will include regular posts discussing new and upcoming books on North Carolina topics, state history in the news, treasures from the stacks of the North Carolina Collection, and general “Tar Heelia.”

Much of what they have to say in the blog is about the history of the state.. but not surprisingly, a lot of the history is contained in “transitory written and printed matter not intended to be retained or preserved”. Take for example this list of Republican Party candidates for state office in 1884. It appeared in their October 28th article. Or how about this colorful map of the golf courses at the Pinehurst Country Club in 1922.

And there may be some of you interested in this fascinating Map of Salemburg, NC community from 1914 which looks at the changing sanitary conditions (i.e. privys) of households, most likely in response to an outbreak of hookworm in the area.

I guess the lesson to be learned here is that when you are searching for Ephemera related items online … a look in the non-obvious places may bring you treasures.

My thanks to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and their blog.

I’m Tom Murphy and thanks for helping me give Ephemera the encore it deserves.

Tom
Click to see my current Bonanzle items

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