When fans across the nation left decorated toilet paper rolls, gifts and flowers at the base of the poisoned Toomer's oaks last month, they weren't aware those gifts would become part of a timeless collection.
Toomer's Corner artifacts will be displayed in the Special Collections and Archives section of the library for the A-Day football game.
"It will not be just a newsy flash in the pan," said Greg Schmidt, special collections librarian. "Toomer's Corner is going to be a more seismic event."
The librarians have been working on preserving the rolls of toilet paper and letters that were left at Toomer's Corner after the trees were poisoned.
Schmidt said the Toomer's Corner artifacts are in a section for miscellaneous items and arranged by subject.
"If students left something at the tree, it ended up in the collection," Schmidt said.
Schmidt specializes in preservation and has been challenged when it comes to preserving toilet paper.
"Toilet paper is something that is not meant to last," Schmidt said.
They have also been preserving the bows from floral displays.
This display shows the outpouring of emotions from the Auburn community immediately after the poisoning, said Jayson Hill, library associate.
By having this display, Special Collections is hoping to have a flow of people before the A-Day game, Schmidt said.
"Very few people from out of state have been here to see the trees," Schmidt said.
This display will be an opportunity for Auburn fans to come and see what has been going on at Toomer's Corner if they have not been back since the end of football season, Schmidt said.
During football season, the display may be moved out of the library, or there will be an additional display elsewhere on campus, Schmidt said.
"The Special Collections section in the library is a great place to look into Auburn's history," said Leigh Veillette, junior in history. "I am glad that the artifacts from Toomer's Corner are going to be on display because this is an important part of Auburn's history."
In addition to the display, the library is hoping to have cards where visitors can write a personal story about the Toomer's oak trees, but nothing is official yet, Hill said.
After the display is taken down, many of the artifacts will be digitized and put in the library's digital collection and Facebook page, Schmidt said.
Schmidt said Toomer's is a place that needs to be preserved and remembered even if the trees are no longer alive.
"Toomer's Corner is the geographic heart of Auburn," Schmidt said.
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