Posted onJune 5, 2025|Comments Off on An Explosive Experience: The Rocket Roller Coaster & Other Exciting Attractions at the Ocean View Amusement Park
By Keely Sinclair, HIST 368 Intern and Mellon Foundation Grant Recipient
Visitors exploring the Ocean View Amusement Park
The Ocean View beaches have served as a location for families to relax and swim during hot Virginia summers for years. Although the land is now occupied by apartment buildings, homes, and a shopping center, it was once home to the famous Ocean View Amusement Park. The Ocean View Amusement Park was founded in 1896 and shut down in 1978. The park was created by the Ocean View Traction Company to bring customers to the new trolly car line. During this period, the park consisted of seating areas, a small figure-8 roller coaster named “The Serpentine,” and of course, scenic views of the beach. In 1905, Richmond businessman Otto Wells purchased the park and transformed it into the bustling, spectacular amusement park long-time Ocean View residents recall fondly to this day. By the 1930s, the park hosted thousands of people every summer. Popular amusement park ride creator J.A. Fields said in 1928 that the Ocean View Amusement Park was “the most modern and attractive park in the South.”
In 1942, Wells sold the park to successful businessman and optometrist Dudley Cooper. Cooper planned to close it down, however, the naval base nearby encouraged him to keep it open because the men stationed there enjoyed the park. In 1978 during an interview with Old Dominion University, Cooper recalled that “The Navy was very much interested in [Ocean View] for the recreation of the men who were embarking in this area for overseas duty,” prompting him to keep the park open. Cooper worked tirelessly to make the park a success, something that was made even more difficult as a result of the WWII era economy. However, thanks to his hard work (ranging from 12 to 18 hours a day!) and military connections, he was able to keep the park afloat until the end of the war. In the 1950s, the park reached its peak popularity. Until its closing in 1978, The park was open every spring and summer. Families from all over Virginia visited the park to enjoy the 77ft high roller coaster, side shows ranging from monkey acts to thrilling high-wire performances, and to eat sugary amusement park food like the famous Doumar’s ice cream cone.
Dudley Cooper
In 1942, Dudley Cooper bought the Ocean View Amusement Park from Otto Wells, as he had been interested in the park since he was young and had wanted to buy it for some time. Before purchasing the park, Cooper practiced optometry and rented out properties to people for years, and he continued to do so even after purchasing the Ocean View Amusement Park. Cooper also helped three black businessmen in the area create the Seaview Amusement Park in 1946. Due to segregation laws, African Americans were not allowed to enter the Ocean View park, but Cooper was able to work with local African American businesses and individuals to create a park where African Americans could enjoy much of the same entertainment that was found at Ocean View, including rides, side shows, and concession stands.
Fun Fact: Cooper’s office was located in the Ocean View Amusement Park and was described as having “all of the color and glitter of the midway outside.” The middle of the office was decorated with a horse from the merry-go-round, the ceiling was painted to resemble a circus tent, and one wall had a large mural of the park painted onto it.
Portrait of Dudley Cooper
RIDES, LOCATIONS, AND EVENTS AT OCEAN VIEW AMUSEMENT PARK
THE ROCKET
“There is a Roller Coaster in Ocean View Amusement Park, near Virginia Beach, that sonnets should be composed about. In its white cloak of cracked paint it has the rarest of roller coaster majesty, lattice work piled upon lattice work, a pure monument to thrill.” These are the words of journalist Marion Clark in his 1975 Potomac article reviewing roller coasters across America. In the article, he sings his praises to roller coasters from roller coasters across the country, with The Rocket getting a glowing review from the roller-coaster-enthusiast. His sentiments were shared by tourists and locals alike, who spent their summers enjoying the thrills of riding the roller coaster.
The famous Ocean View amusement park roller coaster was first built in 1911 and named Leap-the-Dips. This roller coaster was 77 feet high at its tallest point. In 1914, the ride was damaged by a fire and rebuilt with some slight upgrades. Later in 1928, new safety mechanisms were added and the ride was made 13 feet taller. The name was also changed to the “Skyrocket.” A few years later, it was renamed again to simply “The Rocket.” Renovations in 1947 included new foam-padded seats, likely in response to passengers sustaining injuries while riding. In February of 1958, another fire started in the park and damaged the west end of the rollercoaster. However, it was once again rebuilt. The Rocket was a staple of the park, drawing tourists there for years.
Cooper’s son, Charles Cooper, declared that The Rocket “may have been the most durable coaster in America.” Due to the vast number of repairs and upgrades it received over the years, the roller coaster was almost too sturdy by the time of the park’s shutdown, as when crew members tried to demolish the ride in 1978, they had to saw through multiple support beams in order to do any damage. Despite the wild popularity of The Rocket, many were still afraid of it, with parents refusing to let their kids board the ride, according to Charles Cooper. Why was the roller coaster given so many repairs? For one, the park suffered numerous fires over the years, each one causing slight damage to the ride. As a result, the rollercoaster was continuously rebuilt, repaired, and updated with modern safety equipment. In September of 1936, when the park was still owned by Otto Wells, the Chesapeake-Potomac Hurricane swept through Norfolk, causing $30,000 dollars worth of damage to the park ($5 million in today’s economy).
DOUMAR’S
In 1907, Doumar, the famous inventor of the waffle cone in 1904, opened a small shop at the Ocean View amusement park. On the shop’s first day, 22,600 ice cream cones were sold, and these numbers only grew throughout the summers spent there, with Doumar’s ice cream stand selling around 23,000 ice cream cones every day in the summer. In 1933, a hurricane swept through the area, severely damaging the park and its attractions, including Doumar’s Ice Cream stand. After this event, Doumar’s moved to a new location near Monticello Avenue. This location was larger and included indoor seating and a drive through. Doumar’s is still located there today!
Acts
The Dudley Cooper collection contains a multitude of correspondences between Cooper and other acts interested in performing at the park. Most performances at the park were not permanent; every year new and exciting acts would set up at the Ocean View Amusement park to entertain guests. Acts ranged from high-wire acts by performers such as The Lovely Miss Rachel and the Navvaros, Leo and Josephine Gasca, and Erik, the “Golden Boy of the High-Wire,” to animal shows featuring chimps and even a reptile exhibition building. 1952 Correspondences between Cooper and the Expositions and Fairs Incorporated group show Cooper’s interest in their acts, which included an “Alligator Skin Boy,” a “Girl Without a Head,” and a girl who “hypnotize[ed] crocodiles and snakes.” Cooper also showed an interest in getting a collection of electric eels and piranhas for the park.
Suicide Simon
Captain Leo Simon was an ex-flame diver (someone who sets themselves on fire and then dives into a pool of gasoline) with fiery red hair and a matching mustache before he decided to change paths and perform a different act. Simon’s new act went as follows: he climbed into a wooden box and lit 1 ½ dynamite sticks over his head, blowing up the box with him inside it. This act caused him to go almost completely deaf, and his front two teeth were missing due to an accident years prior.
Memo from Leo Simon to Dudley Cooper
“Three Star Production – Clown Cavalcade” and “Candy the Clown”
The Clown Cavalcade was a three man company of professional clowns consisting of Benny and Freddy Heitmann and Don Meeker. Freddy started out as a part of the cleanup crew on the Ringling Bros. Circus and later worked with the elephant acts, where he sustained multiple injuries from handling the animals. When he left the circus, he started his own clown production with his brother Benny. Benny had been a brick mason and musician before joining his brother’s company. The two brothers had dabbled in live comedy as well, playing shows at the Cocoanut Grove Playhouse.
Don Meeker, a taxi driver and father of five, used to play as “Sparky the Fire Dog” for the Fire Department Carnival. He decided to become a clown after dressing as one for his son’s school carnival. The clown outfit his wife made him was a huge hit, and he decided to try calling a character named “Poopdeck Pappy” on WAVY-TV to ask if he needed to get a license to become a professional clown. He was then given a job as “Candy the Clown,” at the Portsmouth shopping center and soon joined the two brothers in their group. Candy the Clown became a staple of the Ocean View Amusement Park, with his face being present on advertisements and signs everywhere. A doll of the character is currently located inside the Ocean View Station Museum inside of a cart from The Rocket roller coaster.
In 1978, the park closed down after 80 years of operation. Because The Rocket was being demolished anyways, Playboy Productions, a studio working on a “suspense thriller” movie titled “The Death of Ocean View Park” blew up the beloved roller coaster as Ocean View residents looked on. Interestingly, it took the crew multiple tries to actually get the roller coaster to explode, and they even ended up needing to physically tear it down and weaken the support beams in order to fully destroy it. Cooper’s son found it ironic that, “people were afraid to have their children ride the roller coaster because they thought it didn’t look safe. It was so strong, they couldn’t even blow it up. It was pulled down”. In that same year, the park shut down entirely.
The End of the Park
After 83 years of success, the park’s popularity began to die down. Bigger parks like Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens opened, drawing tourists away from the older park. However, the Ocean View Amusement Park got the spotlight a few more times before it closed. In 1976, the movie Rollercoaster was shot at the park and a few years later in 1978, The Death of Ocean View Park was shot there.
Bibliography
“Clown Act To Open at Ocean View.” The Virginian-Pilot. Dudley Cooper Papers, Series VII – Scrapbooks, 1963,1964.
“Doumar’s Drive Major Word of Mouth With Their BBQ, Ice Cream, and Story.” Truested, May 21, 2019.
Dudley Cooper Papers. Series I – Correspondence, Accidents and Injuries 1944 to Advertising 1943-1958. MG 31, Box 1, Folder 8.
Dudley Cooper Papers. Series I – Correspondence Advertising to Construction & Repairs, 1963-70, Box 2, Folder 4.
Dudley Cooper Papers. Series VI: Miscellaneous – Articles to Closing the Park. MG 31, Box 14, Folder 2.
Dudley Cooper Papers. Series VII: Scrapbooks, 1948-49, 1949-52. MG 31, Box 15. “Amusement Park Sued for $50,000.” The Virginian-Pilot. Aug. 8, 1949.
Dudley Cooper Papers. Series VII: Scrapbooks, 1949-54, 1953-55, 1954. MG 31, Box 16, Book 1. “The Most Roller Coasters Ever.” Potomac. 1975.
Dudley Cooper Papers. Series VII: Scrapbooks, 1955-56, 1960. MG 31
“Easter Day Parade at Ocean View; Sunday, 3 P.M.” Ocean View, Seaside and Seaview Amusement Parks Collection. Series VII: Scrapbooks, MG 31, Box 22, Folder 3.
McHugh, Jim. “Optometrist Ogled, Made Success in Funspot Field.” The Billboard. Dec. 9, 1950. Dudley Cooper Papers, Series VII: Scrapbooks, 1948-49, 1949-52. MG 31, Box 15.
Ocean View, Seaside and Seaview Amusement Parks Collection. Series VII: Scrapbooks, MG 31, Box 22, Folder 1.
Robert H. Mason. “Old Flame Man Now Jars Self With Dynamite.” Ocean View, Seaside and Seaview Amusement Parks Collection, Series, VII: Scrapbooks, MG 31, Box 22, Folder 3.
Posted onMay 13, 2025|Comments Off on Is That Race Car Flying? A Look Inside the Historic Partnership Between ODU and the NASA Langley Full-Scale Tunnel
By Special Collections and HIST 368 Intern, David Morgan
Ever since high school, I have been interested in aerospace history. I was in the Hunch Club at Denbigh High School which provided me with the opportunity to work on refurbishing a Concorde test model that was used in one of the wind tunnels at NASA Langley. Learning about the history of the model and the wind tunnel tests that were done at NASA Langley had me hooked on aerospace history. This passion led me to pursue a history minor and find internships that matched my interests, which is how I stumbled into the Old Dominion University Special Collections and University Archives. In autumn of 2023, I began working on my project in Special Collections – to inventory and research the Robert Ash Collection, which deals with the partnership between the ODU Department of Engineering and NASA Langley.
The Tunnel’s History
During ODU’s time at NASA Langley, they predominantly tested in NASA’s Historic 30- by 60-Foot Tunnel, also known as the Langley Full-Scale Tunnel (LFST). The wind tunnel began operations in 1931, remained the world’s largest operational wind tunnel until 1945, and was the oldest operating wind tunnel until its closure in ‘95. It was designed to test full-scale aircraft at low speeds between 25 and 180 mph. The tunnel saw many historic aerospace engineers and entrepreneurs come and go, such as Orville Wright, Leroy Grumman, and Charles Lindbergh. Various aerospace vehicles were tested there, including World War II piston aircraft, submarines, lunar space capsules, and modern jet and rotary aircraft (commercial and military). The Langley Full-Scale Tunnel made it on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 and was endowed as a national landmark by the National Park Service. Due to budget cuts in 1995, the wind tunnel was closed and received a new lease on life.
The NASA-ODU Connection
In 1995, ODU pursued additional avenues to broaden the horizons of its mechanical and aerospace engineering departments, aiming to elevate its public profile as well as raise money to support faculty research and engineering graduate students. They identified the Langley Full-Scale Tunnel as a strategic opportunity, leveraging it not only to extend the wind tunnel’s lifespan but also to improve the University’s standing and give engineering students aerospace research opportunities. The project was a brainchild of Dr. Ernest Jim Cross, professor and former Dean of the College of Engineering and Aerospace Department. Additionally, it received substantial support from engineering faculty and Research and Academic Programs facilitator, Colin Britcher, as well as Drew Landman, chief engineer of the tunnel. Britcher worked with Drew Landman to identify research and tunnel test opportunities, direct marketing for wind tunnel engineering and testing, and promote and create educational programs. An agreement was reached where NASA would allow ODU to complete operations for ten years rent-free. With this agreement came ODU’s new responsibility to keep up safety checks, maintain the tunnel’s smooth operations, and pay costs for running the wind tunnel. NASA provided engineers to assist with operations and 1999 marked the first full year of operations for the College of Engineering and Technology at Old Dominion University.
Tests, Achievements, and Partnerships
During its tenure at NASA Langley, Old Dominion University engaged in a wide range of research collaborations encompassing automotive, aeronautical, aerospace, and structural testing. ODU conducted groundbreaking vehicle testing through collaboration with NASA, the Air Force, Navy, defense industry leaders like McDonnell Douglas and Boeing, renowned entities such as NASCAR, Formula One, Volvo, the American Motorcycle Association, and universities like Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech. They assessed full-scale aircraft like the Cessna, Boeing X-48 Wing Body, conducted aerodynamic test for military jets including the F-15 and F-18, tractor trailers, and ventured into unique projects such as solar car evaluations, structural durability testing for companies like Rubbermaid, as well as tested a replica of the Wright Flyer. These collaborations showcased ODU’s versatility, innovation, and impact across industries.
The Langley Full-Scale Tunnel held a unique position as one of the four commercial full-scale wind tunnels in North America. Notably, it stood as the largest university-owned wind tunnel at that time and distinguished itself by offering affordability, charging only $1,400 per hour compared to the average $2,400 in other facilities. This competitive pricing, coupled with its strategic proximity to numerous raceways, drew the attention of racing teams, universities, aerospace and automotive companies from across the country. Its accessibility and cost-effectiveness made it a magnet for testing various designs and fostering collaborations and innovations across multiple industries. From the tunnel’s growing popularity in the industry it had been featured on prominent newspapers and magazines including but not limited to the Wall Street Journal, Air and Space Magazine by the Smithsonian, the Daily Press, and Racar Engineering Magazine. The ODU LFST has had many noteworthy accomplishments including research grants and awards, successful experiments that led to automotive and aviation improvements, to even making their own newsletter. These achievements helped the organization branch out, attain collegiate and private partnerships, and become recognized by former governor and now senator Mark Warner.
Notable inventions from the Tunnel:
Modular Car Balance -to test cars and trucks
Balance for tractor trailers-modified full scale aircraft balance could hold up to five trucks
Developed a new capability to measure aerodynamic forces on heavy trucks
The Wind Tunnel and Academics
The LFST established an academic program at ODU in 1995- Master of Engineering in Experimental Methods. This program was expected to be the primary source of graduate students for the Graduate Assistant positions at the tunnel, with a specialization in the area of aerodynamics and structural dynamics or controls. The roles of the Graduate Assistants included: operations, facility development, and research. Civil, electrical, computer, and mechanical engineering majors participated in the LFST program. There were also Undergraduate Co-op and paid internship opportunities for students.
Another program between Old Dominion/NASA Langley that started in 2000 and lasted over five years, was the graduate-level degree curriculum in experimental aerodynamics, which established a center for experimental aerodynamics. The planned educational program spanned from master’s, bachelor’s and associate’s degrees and had various engineering programs to choose from. The primary programs were the automotive and aerospace engineering research programs. LFST operation was the development of the highest level of in-house expertise in wind tunnel design and test techniques, with highly focused professional development courses offered by the LFST staff. A few examples of these courses are:
Example Courses:
Wind Tunnel design and test techniques
Experimental measurement techniques
Automotive aerodynamics
Experimental and computational aeroacoustics
Vehicle vibration and dynamics
Experimental design and Uncertainty analysis In addition, students from the engineering clubs such as ODU Motorsports tested their vehicles at NASA Langley wind tunnel as well as on the Langley raceway. ODU had a plan to expand the Motorsports and automotive program on the grounds of NASA Langley.
The Program’s Closure and Legacy
ODU’s academic program ended because of the tunnel’s closure and demolition, which was due to on-site deterioration, a lack of repair funding, and the nonr-enewal of the NASA-ODU contract. In 2009, the last test was done for the Boeing X-48, the tunnel was completely shut down in 2010, and demolition was completed in 2011. Despite this, the legacy of the program lives on, particularly in its groundbreaking work in aerospace engineering. A fan from the tunnel now stands as a testament to its innovative contributions to mechanical and aerospace engineering at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington. At Old Dominion University, the program’s research endures, showcased in the form of tested semi-truck and airplane models housed in the engineering building. ODU’s ongoing partnership with NASA remains robust, featuring guest speakers, facility tours for students, and educational programs like VASTS, offering high schoolers the chance to collaborate with NASA. Faculty at ODU continue their collaborative projects with NASA Langley, fostering research opportunities, while academic internships allow students to gain hands-on experience, ensuring the program’s impact persists despite its closure.
Comments Off on Is That Race Car Flying? A Look Inside the Historic Partnership Between ODU and the NASA Langley Full-Scale Tunnel
by Special Collections and HIST 368 Intern Amber Kates
Amber Kates being interviewed in the ODU Chemistry Lab where the testing occurred
My favorite thing about working in archives is getting lost in the stories. The shelves are a treasure trove filled with others’ memories. Sifting through the pages reawakens moments long since passed. Some interconnect to form entire lives. Others are just snapshots of a single moment, bringing with them an air of mystery. They whisper out questions, begging you to discover their long hidden secrets. But these allurements do not belong solely to the two dimensional world. Artifacts contain their own stories; you just have to know how to read them.
In 2022, the ODU Special Collections was gifted a few pieces of pottery. They were just a small fraction of the 20,000 pieces found during the expansion of I64, headed by the Virginia Department of Transportation. After they were pieced back together by the team at William and Mary, they were placed in the possession of the Coastal Virginia Church – the owners of the property where the pieces were found. The Coastal Virginia Church graciously gave the pieces to the Special Collections. As the intern for the Fall 2022 semester, I was given the opportunity to research a large jug and tankard.
Not much was known about the pottery when it arrived at our Special Collections. They were accompanied by a report prepared by the William and Mary Center for Archaeological Research. Based on this report, it appeared that these pieces were created around the 1730s by the William Rogers Pottery in Yorktown, VA. If everyone was correct, that meant the pieces were almost 300 years old, and a truly extraordinary find!
ODU Professor Rick Nickel explains the firing process that resulted in jug’s decorative surface to his Introduction to Ceramics Class.
Assuming that the experts were correct, I dove headfirst into my investigation. When looking at the pieces, they appeared to be common stoneware, consistent of the colonial period. The missing pieces in both the tankard and jug made their fragility obvious. Cracks slither across the jug, indicating places of reconstruction; both handles had been destroyed. The potter utilized a two-tone glaze technique on each piece. Artfully detailed ridges denote the deft hand of the maker. As I studied the jug, my eye was drawn to these drips of green glaze. Not only does the color not match any glaze used on either piece, but the finish is distinct. In contrast to the more matte, gritty-looking finishes, the green glaze is glossy and smooth. These markings are obviously unintentional.
After my initial observations, I began my research. I gathered as many sources as possible on William Rogers and colonial pottery. I read through the report that was sent with the pieces, but it was just a snippet of information. According to the report, the area in which the excavation was conducted was within the site of the old Newtown Colony. Like many colonies in the area, Newtown was an English settlement, and acted as a port for trade. However, by the early nineteenth century, the residents of the area moved on. They discarded whatever wares they couldn’t carry into a giant pit – a pit that wouldn’t be discovered for hundreds of years.
After immigrating from England, William Rogers was a resident of Yorktown colony until the mid-eighteenth century. Often referred to as the “poor potter”, Rogers was anything but. A natural businessman, Rogers had made quite the name for himself with several different ventures. Before building the factory, he was a brewer and merchant. The success from his various enterprises made him a prominent figure in the community, and a wealthy man.
So, why the nickname “poor potter?” Well, it stems from the lieutenant governor of the time, William Gooch. In a 1732 letter to the Board of Trade in London, Gooch mentioned Rogers’ pottery endeavor and stated that it was “of so little consequence.” Then, in 1739 he wrote “The Poor Potter’s operation is unworthy of your Lordship’s notice…” In reality, pottery from Rogers’ factory was transported up and down the east coast and to the West Indies. Gooch’s motivation for the way he handled the situation remains a mystery. After all, what Rogers was doing was illegal. At the time, English law made it clear that goods were to be manufactured in England and then transported to the colonies. Many have stated that Gooch must have been “on the take”. While there was probably some monetary incentive, I believe that the situation was far more complicated. Gooch’s position as lieutenant governor was a balancing act between keeping both Virginia and England happy. He was in charge overseeing the colony and its people while being a soldier for the English Crown. The success of Virginia was good for everyone involved, and Rogers’ pottery was a component of this success. Gooch also knew that he couldn’t turn a blind eye to it. Eventually the truth would be discovered, and there would be consequences.
During this portion of my research, I came across a book that proved to be surprisingly helpful. In, Yorktown, Virginia: A Brief History, author Wilford Kale has an entire chapter on William Rogers and the unearthing of his factory. Included in this chapter was the story of the initial discovery around 1970. According to Kale, the story goes that W.A. Childrey, a Yorktown resident, was sweeping the dirt floor of his garage when he noticed shiny green spots. Curious, Childrey dug a little further and revealed bricks covered in a green glaze. He contacted the College of William and Mary, and the real hunt began (Kale, pp. 30).
Inside an 18th Century Pottery Workshop.
My “spidey senses” were tingling. Was this, a brief mention of green glaze, my first clue? Steve Bookman, Head Archivist at the Special Collections, was kind enough to reach out to William and Mary for a copy of the original excavation report. This report described the kiln as being “coated by a thick (1-2 inches) accumulation of a lustrous light to dark green smooth and glass-like glaze” (Barka, 1973, pp. 14). I was like Nancy Drew gathering little fragments of information to solve a mystery.
I knew I needed to go on a field trip and see the site for myself. I reached out to the National Park Service and explained about the pottery and research. I was put into contact with Dr. Dwayne Scheid, Cultural Resources Program Manager and Archaeologist for the National Park Service. He was kind enough to invite me out to the site to discuss this project. I was excited, but nervous. Before I arrived, I emailed pictures of the pottery. Once there, he agreed that they looked like pieces of pottery found during the excavation of the property. However, the only way to really confirm was to get the pieces tested. Dwayne also pointed me to Lindsay Bloch’s work with testing historical ceramics.
I toured the space, which really is the size of someone’s garage. Looking down into the large kiln, it is easy to see the green glaze that was described by Barka. Just as I had hoped, visually it was a match to the drops on the large jug. Dwayne reiterated the need for testing. He explained that the best and easiest thing to do was to first get the pieces tested with an XRF machine. As an undergraduate intern who was clearly in over her head, I just nodded. There was no way that I was going to explain to this very knowledgeable man that I had not even the slightest clue what I was doing, though I’m pretty sure he caught on. I left feeling a little deflated. Was this the end of the road for my project? Nevertheless, I still had a few avenues of investigation to pursue.
Inside the Poor Pottery Kiln. Photo by Amber Kates, 2022
Overwhelmed but undeterred, once again, I began my research. Assuming the budget for student-led testing was practically nonexistent, I wanted to find out if the William and Mary’s Center for Archaeological Research had conducted testing during the preservation process. When the pottery was donated to the Special Collections, it was accompanied by a report prepared by William and Mary for VDOT. Reading the report, a second time, I realized that pages were missing. However, several names were listed, including Deborah Davenport. The report stated that she was in charge of “laboratory processing and artifact analysis.” I figured it would be best to go straight to the source and reached out to her with my questions. She informed me that due to their own budgetary constraints they had not performed any testing of the pieces but confirmed their belief that they were created by the William Rogers pottery in Yorktown. She was also kind enough to send me the full report – all 608 pages!
Realizing we were on our own in reference to the chemical analysis, I did a little digging to the basics of XRF testing. This was unknown territory. The Special Collections is not used to diving into the archaeological side of historical preservation. I was able to find a few different institutions who had the ability to help us out but wasn’t sure how many would be willing to assist us pro bono. I once again feared a dead end. On a whim, I contacted the department chair of the ODU Chemistry Department, Dr. Craig Bayse. I explained the situation and asked if we had the testing capabilities. To my surprise, not only did he have access to the equipment, but he was willing to conduct the tests himself.
This is where we are now. The chemical analysis is the final missing piece to confirm if all our work is correct. The wonderful Dr. Bayse conducted XRF testing on both pieces of stoneware. When the results are analyzed, we will be able to determine if the pieces are, in fact, part of the William Rogers collection. I am so lucky to have had the honor to work on this project. It has been an amazing example of different departments and institutions coming together to uncover the truth. Everyone served as an important piece of the puzzle. A special thank you to everyone in the Special Collections. You were all so supportive of me and provided a great learning experience. Jessica Ritchie in particular has been so amazing. She trusted me enough to allow me to run wherever the research led. This has been a truly remarkable hands-on experience.
Director’s Update: After graduating from ODU, Amber has continued to collaborate with the Poor Potter Site and ODU Libraries on a project to trace the pottery back to the site. Amber’s research and ODU’s pioneering chemical analysis methodology could help other repositories and museums officially trace their pieces back to the Poor Potter Site.
By Lara Canner, Curator of Music Special Collections
Photographed here is student Jordan Staten drawing an archeological depiction of a vase from Bronze Age Cyprus
Early last spring, Special Collections and University Archives happily hosted Dr. Jared Benton’s Ancient Art History class. Using Bronze Age pottery from the island of Cyprus donated to ODU in the 1960’s, the students took photographs and created archaeological sketches of the vases. Later, this work would be turned into digital 3-D models and in-depth research papers. The results of their studies were impressive, so much so that Dr. Benton believed that their work should be presented at Old Dominion University’s Undergraduate Research Symposium. The program gives a platform to ODU student researchers, from various disciplines, to present papers, or posters examining their scholarship. I must have been impressive too since Dr. Benton also asked if I would be interested in partnering in assisting his students with the symposium. (I was delighted to help!)
With campus remaining closed over the course of the summer, Zoom became the main means of communication between the students, Dr. Benton, and myself. Together, we formulated the design of a virtual poster, showing how the class created their digital representations of the Cypriot vases. Meeting with those more interested in presenting papers, advice was shared on best research practices, edits were made to their original papers and possible ways to introduce the student’s themes were explored. Overall, a very productive summer, but the fact of the matter was, to create the greatest possible poster and research presentation, the undergraduate scholars would need to view the vases again.
So here we are, adapting to the need for social distancing, but still providing access to our collections. Updated policies, such as granting appointments for ODU students and staff, wearing a face mask at all times and Archives staff disinfecting prior and after each appointment are just a few ways Special Collections and University Archives are creating a safe and healthy environment for our researchers. Only one patron and one staff member are allowed in Special Collections for appointments, meaning that for Dr. Benton to help guide our student through the creation of detailed drawing and building the 3-D model, he would have to utilize Zoom to communicate in real time. When problems arose, or just making sure we were on the right track, Jordan would have to hold her paper up to a laptop screen. Complicated to say the least…
Watching an archaeological rendering as a bystander is fascinating, but now I had to become an interpreter of the professor’s instructions and at times a fellow teacher of Bronze Age Pottery. Not exactly my field of expertise. However, this was a session not only a lesson in primary source instruction, but active learning. Together, Jordan and I talked through the best ways to capture the vase’s decorations, worked through mismeasurements, and inspected the vase from every possible angle. And, the results were incredible, just look:
Two of Dr. Benton’s students will be presenting their research at the 2021 ODU Undergraduate Symposium on March 20, 20201! Registration is free and open to the public: https://www.odu.edu/honors/research/symposium
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