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Ernest S. and Marie Little Bird Papers

An inventory of their papers at the Syracuse University Archives


Finding aid created by: Halsey Van Allen
Date: 2022

Biography

Ernest S. Bird (1894-1974) was a Syracuse University alumnus who, with his wife Marie Little Bird (1897-1988), was also a significant University donor. He attended Syracuse from 1912 to 1916. Ernest Bird was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha, a member of the Senior Council, and head cheerleader his senior year. He taught high school after graduation before transitioning to sales and investing. Marie Little Bird served in the US Navy in World War I and was a member of several Masonic orders. She appeared to go by the surname Oder before her marriage to Ernest Bird (Little was her birth name) and sometimes in conjunction with the surname Bird but additional research has not revealed information about this. Ernest S. and Marie Little Bird were married for over twenty years. They made a large donation to fund the building of Syracuse University's Bird Library, which was dedicated in Ernest Bird's honor in 1973. He received a Syracuse University centennial medal in 1970 to commemorate the donation.

Scope and Content Note

The Ernest S. and Marie Little Bird Papers consist of materials related to their donation to Syracuse University that helped fund the construction of Bird Library as well as personal materials. The collection consists of three series.

The Awards, certificates, and diplomas series consists of the Birds' diplomas and certificates, including Ernest Bird's diploma from Syracuse University. This collection also includes the Centennial Medal awarded to him by Syracuse University in 1970.

The Bird Library series comprises correspondence, printed materials, and photographs related to the construction and dedication of Bird Library.

The Family materials series consists of personal photographs and documents.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Related Material

The University Archives has clipping files for Ernest S. Bird and Marie Little Bird and photographs of them in the Syracuse University Portrait Collection. The Syracuse University Photograph Collection has additional photographs on the construction and dedication of Bird Library.

Selected Search Terms

Names

Bird, Ernest S.
Bird, Marie Little.
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.
Syracuse University. -- Libraries.

Subjects

Academic libraries.
Library benefactors.
Higher education.

Types of Material

Achievement certificates.
Commemorative medals.
Diplomas.
Photographs.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Ernest S. and Marie Little Bird Papers
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Some materials gift of Paul Lachlan Peck. Others transferred from the Syracuse University Libraries and the Alumni Office.

Processing Information

Materials were placed in acid-free folders and boxes. Photographs were placed in archival mylar sleeves.

Arrangement

Materials are arranged alphabetically by folder.

Table of Contents

Awards, certificates, and diplomas

Bird Library

Family materials

Inventory