P211.T45.2001

The Secret Book

On the grounds of Clemson's campus, there is a room with no doors or windows. And yet, it guards one of the most well-kept yet well-known traditions. With an inscription of a number on its floor, it leads to a memory that many would like to be a part of before they graduate. If you're curious and clever enough, you could use that number to find a certain secret book in our very own (non-secret) Cooper Library!

During Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters, Atelier InSite offered a virtual secret book experience in light of the pandemic. The video below provides an insight as to how you signed the virtual edition of the secret book. Fall 2021 will hopefully be back to normal, and you'll be able to ask for the Secret Book at the library front desk.

David Tillinghast’s brick and steel silo was meant as a connection to agriculture and literature, in which the contents of the book reflect this imagery. The book was made as a companion piece to the silo, and in actuality was never meant to become what it is today! For years, seniors have scoured Cooper Library for this special book in order to put their signatures and well-meaning messages for students to come in the future. Being a part of this small legacy is one of the many ways one can make a mark on campus. While the pandemic means social distancing on campus, this edition of the secret book will be virtual. This will be our very own unique way to commemorate this special legacy, and we would like to thank those of you that participated.

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Here's an article written on the Secret Book in Glimpse a Clemson University site on research and creative discovery.