Preserving History through Books: The Heritage Room
Written by Breana Noble
The Heritage Room in Hillsdale College’s Mossey Library aims to preserve first edition texts that have shaped the western heritage. From Niccolò Machiavelli to Thomas Paine, many of these books are rare and ancient.
“When you see an original edition, and you know that this is something that has managed to survive floods and famines and war, there’s something kind of special about having that,” Public Services Librarian Linda Moore said. “It grounds it and places it in context.”
The oldest in the room is a copy of Aristotle’s Politics, printed in London in 1598. The book was a part of the original donation to create the Heritage Room, one of the most beautiful and ornate places on campus. When the Heritage Room was first imagined and built in 1994, the goal was to further the mission of the college for students.
“[The donor, Brian Bex] had a collection of materials that he thought represented western culture, Judeo-Christian tradition,” Moore said. “The idea was to have as nice and as early of copies as possible of important works of western culture, to give students the basic idea of western literature and political thought.”
Moore believes there is value in preserving these original copies.
“Here’s something that survived, and it makes things more real to you,” Moore said. “When you see your great-grandparent’s photo or you see where they’re buried, it makes it more real.”
Nonetheless, having other copies for students to read is important as well.
“Really the most important part of a book is what’s in it,” Moore said. “If we did not have modern editions, if all we had were the things locked away in cases, you’ve locked away the ideas. We really need both. You need the originals for inspiration, and then copies for students to read, make the masterpiece their own.”
Preserving that heritage, however, can be aesthetically beneficial as well.
“Some of the stuff is just absolutely beautiful,” Moore said. “Like, when you see a first edition of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, you think, ‘Wow! What a role this played in the history of the country.’ There’s a lot to be said for that. They’re important because lots of times they are in and of themselves works of art, but it gives you pause you to reflect on what they meant to our history. It grounds you in a way.”
Breana Noble is a freshman at Hillsdale College and plans to study Politics and Journalism. She is a Collegian reporter and a member of the Dow Journalism Program. Enjoying her time a Hillsdale, Breana is involved in Swing Club and The Nest Bible Study. She also participates in the Young Americans for Freedom and is looking forward to interning with YAF’s National Journalism Center in Washington, D.C., this summer.