Fifty years after the floods of Hurricane Agnes damaged and destroyed parts of then-Wilkes College in 1972, the now-university is observing the memories with a public tour, open to anyone in the community.
In a collaboration between the Wilkes University Archives and the Eugene S. Farley Library, the Sordoni Art Gallery, the history and integrative media departments, the WCLH radio station and web services, a walk-through tour was able to be set up.
There are 12 stations designated across campus in front of certain buildings that detail the extensive damage done by the flood. Each sign includes a map of the locations for all buildings that were extensively damaged, including Weckesser Hall, the library, Kirby Hall, Chase Hall and more.
Aside from photographs and a short biography, each sign also offers a QR code and link to follow, https://www.wilkes.edu/agnes, where more photos and statistics of flood damage are revealed. Additionally, interviews organized by WCLH, WIlkes’ radio station, are offered of staff reflecting on the event.
For the extended story, interviews and reflections, go to https://www.thewilkesbeacon.com.
Photos are courtesy of the Wilkes University E. S. Farley Library Archives. For the entire collection of photos, visit the repository, available online at: https://wilkes.libguides.com/library/archives.
