During Rensselaer’s recent Family Weekend, the Institute Archives held a “show & tell” for campus visitors. We displayed an assortment of items documenting the student experience at Rensselaer, focusing on the changing campus landscape, housing over the years, Grand Marshall history and activities, and RPI hockey.

We didn’t know what to expect, but Jen and I were pleased when several families (and a few students) dropped by throughout the day. Some came to see what we have, others had questions for us. Since we’re in the business of helping people find answers to their pressing historical queries, that was a welcome aspect of our day.

One family, however, caught us off-guard when they asked about something they had observed near the Darrin Communication Center. They brought in a photo of an object they thought might be either a piece of modern sculpture or construction debris, and wondered if the archives could shed light on the mystery. Now that’s a question!

I’ve looked through photos and contacted other people on campus to try to identify this object, all to no avail. I’m hoping some observant reader will recognize the item pictured below and shed light on our latest mystery image… or should I say – mystery object?