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Presented By: University Library

Now or Never: Collecting, Documenting and Photographing the Aftermath of World War I in the Middle East

Rug weaving in Aintab, courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library Rug weaving in Aintab, courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library
Rug weaving in Aintab, courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library
Diaries written by U-M professor of archaeology Francis Willey Kelsey (1858–1927) and photographs taken by U-M staff photographer George Robert Swain (1866–1947) are a historical record that links them—and the University of Michigan—to one of the largest preservation efforts in history. Kelsey wrote, “unless peace comes soon enough to save the remnants” of Greek and Armenian society, who have “been practically exterminated in certain large regions of Asia Minor,” no record of these Christian communities would remain.

Kelsey and Swain initially traveled to the Near East to collect ancient manuscripts that were destined to disappear in the post World War I chaos, as the war was far from over in the Middle East when Germany officially surrendered to the Entente forces on November 11, 1918. Two Armenian manuscripts that were purchased as a consequence of the expedition are on display.

Lecture and opening reception will take place at 4 p.m. on January 14 in the Hatcher Library Gallery, adjacent to the exhibit.

Exhibit materials are courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library and U-M Library Special Collections.
Rug weaving in Aintab, courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library Rug weaving in Aintab, courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library
Rug weaving in Aintab, courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library

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