Rice Institute Formal Opening Programs and Information Packets

The materials in this record group are part of the Formal Opening of the William Marsh Rice Institute, opened October 10-12, 1912.

The official programs from the formal opening of Rice Institute are leather bound and consist of a photograph of the founder, William Marsh Rice, a copy of the invitation to a series of inaugural lectures sent to prospective attendees, as well as a detailed daily program of events. The inaugural lecture series was presented by an international group of renowned scholars in fields such as Physics, Mathematics, Biology, the Humanities, and Literature. A brief summary of the accomplishments of each scholar is included. In addition to the lecture series, the Programs detail the social activities scheduled for the attendees, and includes drawings of the major campus buildings of the time.

The Information Packets contain a history of the founding of the Institute; a description and a map of the campus; an engraving of the Administration Building and other buildings and discussion of the architectural style chosen; and plans for the scholarly future of the Institute.