By Lauren Gray, Head of Reference
Share the gift of history this holiday season
Day 2: Magnets
[Part of the 12 Days of Archives DIY Series]
Remember when we used to go on vacation and buy cheesy magnets for our colleagues? (“Hope you enjoyed answering the phones while I was in Palm Beach, Carol!”) Though traveling is on the Naughty List this year, you can still give your friends and colleagues a little smile with these fun photo magnets. Maybe visiting Kansas is on someone’s bucket list?
For these magnets, you’ll need Mod Podge and photo paper (we recommend glossy). You’ll need a sturdy backing, like matboard, and of course, magnets. Print your photos and cut them to size – we like 2”x2” but go as big as you like. Cut your matboard to the same size. Now, using your adhesive, affix each photo to the corresponding matboard and let dry. Slowly coat your photo in the Mod Podge glaze, popping any air bubbles with a toothpick or pin. Let them dry for 24 hours, then glue a magnet to the back of each photo. Once they’re completely dry, they’re ready for gifting! (Pretend you’ve been on an exotic vacation and forward a few calls to Carol, for old time’s sake.)
Many communities in Kansas relied on the horse for transportation well into the 20th century – this image depicts Annita Henry cantering off to school in 1925, and she seems pretty happy about it!
The holidays would be incomplete without images of sugar plums dancing in our heads. Miss Doane, pictured here in the 1920s, looks like she just stepped off of the stage!
The weather outside may be frightful, but that car (and its plate) are so delightful!