Huskiana collection

Collection

Identifier: A020

Scope and Content Note

The Huskiana collection ranges in date from 1927 to 1992 and is composed of materials relating to the Northeastern University live mascots, as well as the commissioning of the husky statue. The collection is arranged chronologically with two exceptions: general histories are consolidated in Folder 1, and materials relating to the statue are consolidated at the end of the collection, Folders 8 and 9. The collection is limited in its coverage of the live mascots, and outside of what is discussed in the general histories, there are only records for King Husky I, King Husky III, King Husky IV and King Husky V. Memorabilia in the collection includes the candle used on King Husky I's first birthday cake (Folder 2), and the ribbons King Husky I won at the Eastern Dog Club Show in 1933 (Folder 4). Of special interest are the two newspaper articles about Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, whose dogs in Operation Deep Freeze were obtained from Chinook Kennels (Folder 6), and the papers relating to the scandal surrounding the administration's attempted cover up of the death of the replacement King Husky III (Folder 5).

Dates

Creation: 1927-1992

Creator

Northeastern University (Boston, Mass.) (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access:

This collection is unrestricted.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use:

Historical Note

Northeastern University first adopted the Husky as its mascot in 1927, when the athletic teams were developing and the students felt the need for a name and a mascot for the teams. Dr. Carl S. Ell, then Vice President of the University, traveled to Poland Springs, Maine in February 1927 to obtain a Siberian Husky for that purpose. When King Husky I died in 1941, Northeastern University began a nearly 20 year relationship with Chinook Kennels in Wonalancet, New Hampshire. Eva Seeley provided the University with Queen Husky I (1941), King Husky II (1942-52),King Husky III (1952-55), Princess Regent Husky I (a temporary mascot used in the 1955-56 and 1956-57 seasons), King Husky IV (1958), and Alyeskas Suggen (father of King Husky IV and temporary mascot in the 1958-59 and 1959-60 seasons).

In 1958 Eva Seeley suffered a nervous breakdown and Chinook Kennels closed, and King Husky IV was put down for being man shy. In the wake of these events the administration was reluctant to obtain another dog. The focus shifted to a husky statue, and the Husky Statue committee was formed in 1960 to commission a statue to replace the live mascot. The statue was completed in 1962 by the studio of Arcangelo Cascieri and Adio di Biccari. Anne Philbrick Hall was the sculptor. Live mascots returned to Northeastern University in 1965, when the class of 1970 bought and trained a husky. King Husky V reigned until the class graduated in 1970. Queen Husky II was purchased in 1970 by the Husky Key Society. She stepped down in 1972 due to constant stage fright and was replaced by her son, King Husky VI. Husky VI's reign was short lived; he ran away in December of 1972. Since then, Northeastern University has relied on the statue and Mr. and Mrs. Husky (students elected by the general student body to wear husky costumes to Northeastern University games) to represent school spirit.

Extent

0.15 cubic feet (1 container, 11 flat file folders)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

In 1927, Northeastern University (NU) first adopted its mascot, a Siberian Husky named King Husky I. After King Husky I's death in 1941, Northeastern developed a 20-year relationship with Chinook Kennels in Wonalancet, New Hampshire, which provided the next seven mascots. In 1958, the kennel closed and the administration chose to commission a husky statue rather than continue the tradition of the live mascots. The statue was completed in 1962 by Anne Philbrick Hall, a sculpter under contract with the studio of Arcangelo Cascieri and Adio di Biccari. In 1965, the class of 1970 revived the tradition by purchasing a live husky from Doonauk Kennels in Asland, Mass. When the class graduated, the Husky Key Society obtained another husky. Since 1972, Northeastern University has relied upon its statue and Mr. and Mrs. Husky (students elected by the general student body to wear husky costumes to NU athletic games) to provide school spirit.

Overview

The Huskiana collection is composed of materials relating to the Northeastern University's live husky mascots and the commissioning of the husky statue. Materials include histories, memorabilia, newspaper clippings, photographs, and administrative records. The collection is limited in its coverage of the live mascots, and outside of what is discussed in the general histories, there are only records for King Husky I, King Husky III, King Husky IV, and King Husky V.