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Roger Federer smiles as he looks across the valley atop Baker Bell Tower
We were thrilled to show Roger Federer and his family and friends around the libraries!

We’ve all probably now seen Roger Federer’s inspirational Commencement speech, and we know Federer spent time with the tennis teams, but did you know Roger and his family visited the Dartmouth Libraries? They did! 

We had the great pleasure of joining them as they experienced Dartmouth from the inside out. The group examined artifacts from the archives at Rauner Special Collections Library, rested in the iconic Tower Room in Baker Library, and ended the tour atop Baker Tower to take in the Valley’s grand slam views.

One special moment that stands out took place during the visit to Rauner Library. Morgan Swan showed the Federers a 17th-century map book called Topographia Helvetiae, Rhaetiae et Valesiae (1642). This massive 21-volume undertaking surveys the entirety of the Holy Roman Empire at that time.

image depicts 17th century engraving of Münchenstein

In it, Roger saw printed engravings from where he was born, Basel, Switzerland, and where he grew up, Münchenstein (depicted). When Roger saw these engravings, he exclaimed to his kids, “This is the neighborhood I lived in for 15 years!”

We're thrilled to have shown the group unique artifacts and iconic spaces and places at Dartmouth Libraries.

Roger Federer looks at items from the Rauner Library archives
The Federers and other guests who join Roger Federer on the tour of the Libraries in the Tower Room
from left Dean of Libraries Susanne Mehrer, Roger Federer, Jennifer Taxman, and Leonee Ariel Derr stand in front of the Baker Library entryway

*Special thanks to Dartmouth Photographer, Katie Lenhart for the captures.

 

Watch Federer's commencement speech- it's ACE!

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