Oldest stone tools have been discovered in Kenya, but they weren’t used by humans
An illustration of the species Paranthropus robustus. Photo courtesy of Micheal Long and Science Photo Library.

Oldest stone tools have been discovered in Kenya, but they weren’t used by humans

It was a stormy day in Kenya in 2017: paleoanthropologist Emma Finestone was recording the location of fossils when she made a shocking discovery. The team was removing the skeleton of an ancient hippo when they found a molar intermingled with early Oldowan tools. However,…

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College Hall centennial approaches: the rich history of NCF’s most iconic building
Two arched windows facing the long road leading to College Hall frame the open-gated entrance to the first floor of the building. Photo taken by Christine Wehner.

College Hall centennial approaches: the rich history of NCF’s most iconic building

College Hall has always been the flagship sight to see for students attending New College . In 1962—two years after New College was founded—Sarasota trustees were given the opportunity to purchase this aged building that is now an essential part of the campus. The now…

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Newtown Alive trolley tours give visitors a glimpse into the histories of Newtown and Overtown
The “Siesta Trolley” one of Newtown Alive’s trolleys.

Newtown Alive trolley tours give visitors a glimpse into the histories of Newtown and Overtown

In 2016, a plan was proposed to Sarasota County by the North County Community Organization to document Newtown’s history, eventually forming Newtown Alive, an organization dedicated to recording and preserving the history of one of the oldest communities in Sarasota. Their work has overseen recordings…

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The past is closer than you think: a review of God’s Country at Venice Theater
Megan Hendrick (foreground), Brennan Reisinger, and Jeremy Guerrero-Heideman. Heideman portrays Robert Mathews, founder of The Order. Hendrick, who plays multiple roles in the play, is shown here as Mathews' girlfriend, Zillah. Reisinger plays their son. Photo courtesy of the Venice Theater press release.

The past is closer than you think: a review of God’s Country at Venice Theater

It may feel like the past, yet, there is still so much hate in the present. Venice Theater presents God’s Country (1988) written by Steven Dietz which follows the story of the white supremacist group from the 1980s, The Order, that commit crimes to fund…

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The takeover of Afghanistan: how history repeats itself
A map demonstrating how the Taliban has gained near complete control of Afghanistan since Aug. 16. Photo courtesy of BBC.

The takeover of Afghanistan: how history repeats itself

On Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021, the Taliban had successfully taken control of the presidential palace, thus finalizing their takeover of Afghanistan. The Taliban’s expedient takeover took place over a matter of days—as U.S. forces pulled out of the region and Afghani security forces trained and…

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New College’s hidden pigeonhole: the NCSA Archives
Scan of a 1982 zine in the archives, "Crystal Method."

New College’s hidden pigeonhole: the NCSA Archives

The closet-turned-archive tucked behind the Old Mail Room in Hamilton “Ham” Center, lush with aging papers and remnants of the past serves as a sort of map room for student life at New College. The New College Student Alliance (NCSA) Archives has been collecting little…

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A concise chronicle of the Campus Police Department
An unidentified University Police officer and another unidentified individual in front of Hamilton Center in the late 1970s or early 1980s. (Image courtesy of Officer Kelley Masten)

A concise chronicle of the Campus Police Department

The campus police department has evolved and changed with New College over the years. While tensions between students and police have fluctuated throughout the years, the trend downwards of the average age of new officers and a national shift in the attitude towards police has…

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The history of the barracks

photo courtesy of Tim SnyderCarlye Lay with a halo preparing to throw a pot in the barracks. In the years shortly after the establishment of New College, the various army barracks that scattered the land where the Dort and Goldstein dormitories stand today housed Physical…

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The Ringling estate before NCF

The entrance view from the first steps outside the Ringling mansion. All photos courtesy of New College of Florida Archives. New College of Florida was established as a private liberal arts college in 1960 but only joined the State University System as a public institution—as…

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Wrangling with Thanksgiving’s problematic history
Photo courtesy of Elaine Thompson Ruth Sims, a Navajo/Oglala Sioux, holds a sign during a demonstration for Indigenous Peoples Day in Seattle.

Wrangling with Thanksgiving’s problematic history

So goes the popular tale of Thanksgiving: the Pilgrims and the Native Americans came together for a “peaceful meal” to give thanks for their bountiful harvest, friendship and survival. Recognition of the indigenous struggle is a step toward understanding the complexities of history beyond this…

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