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A single photograph from May 1981 is all it took to inspire students working for BU Photography to launch an intriguing photo project they dubbed Boston University Rephotographed.

The photo, of undergrads conducting geology experiments on Alpert Mall (aka the BU Beach), was discovered during a search for an archival photo to run in the 2016 spring edition of arts&sciences magazine. BU Photography digital imaging manager Andy Costello was struck by how well it functioned as a time capsule. (Note the jean shorts and striped athletic socks.) He started thinking: what would a photo taken today in the same spot look like? How has BU changed over the decades? How has it remained the same?

Costello enlisted the help of students working in his department. Starting in spring 2016, Joseph Curtin (COM’17), Ellie Jordan (CAS’16), Morgan Richards (CAS’19), and Stephen Vocaturo (COM’17) began combing through thousands of negatives in the BU photo archive dating back to the 1950s, looking for images that could be re-created. After selecting two dozen photographs taken between 1968 and 1991, they scanned and edited the images, then set about finding out where each had been taken, so that they could shoot the same spot as it is today. Beginning this past winter, Curtin undertook the laborious process of shooting new images that mirrored the originals as closely as possible.

Some of the new photos capture scenes that look much the same as they did decades ago, albeit showing different fashions and hairstyles. Marsh Plaza continues to be the nexus for vigils and political rallies, and the BU Beach and the lawn in front of the College of Communication remain popular for sunbathing and Frisbee. But some of the diptychs below show how much the University has changed. Take a look. You may even catch a glimpse of yourself, a friend—or a parent.

Marsh Chapel Archway 1968 vs 2017

Left: An MBTA B Line trolley seen between the Marsh Chapel archways, 1968.
Right: The same scene, April 18, 2017.


Protests 1970 vs 2017

Top: An anti-Vietnam war rally on Marsh Plaza, April 15, 1970.
Bottom: The same scene, this time protesting President Trump’s Muslim travel ban, January 30, 2017.


Student Marches 1970 vs 2017

Top: The first Earth Day was marked with a student march down Commonwealth Avenue, April 22, 1970.
Bottom: A protest against the Trump Muslim travel ban began on Marsh Plaza and continued along Comm Ave through campus, January 30, 2017.


Marsh Plaza protests 1970 vs 2017

Left: A BU student on Marsh Plaza in support of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee and the United Farm Workers labor strike against California grape growers, April 22, 1970.
Right: The same scene, this time with a protest against the Trump Muslim travel ban, January 30, 2017.


students leaving the George Sherman Union 1978 vs 2017

Top: Students leaving the George Sherman Union, April 1978.
Bottom: The same scene, February 26, 2017.


Bicyclists crossing the bridge on the Esplanade 1978 vs 2017

Top: Two bicyclists crossing the bridge over Storrow Drive from the Esplanade to Bay State Road, September 1978.
Bottom: The same scene, April 27, 2017.


Sunning on the COM lawn 1978 vs now

Top: Catching some sun on the COM lawn, October 1978.
Bottom: The same scene, April 9, 2017.


BU Beach sports recreation 1979 vs 2017

Top: A game of volleyball on the BU Beach, March 23, 1979.
Bottom: The same scene (with a football), April 27, 2017.


Esplanade joggers then versus now

Left: Jogging on the Esplanade, with the School of Law visible in the background, April 1979.
Right: The same scene, February 23, 2017.


The corner of Commonwealth Avenue and the BU Bridge, winter 1979 vs winter 2017

Top: The corner of Commonwealth Avenue and the BU Bridge, winter 1979.
Bottom: The same scene, February 14, 2017.


A Comm Ave sidewalk, winter 1979 vs winter 2017

Left: A Comm Ave sidewalk, winter 1979.
Right: The same scene, February 14, 2017.


The sidewalk outside of the College of Fine Arts 1979 vs 2017

Left: The sidewalk outside of the College of Fine Arts, winter 1979.
Right: The same scene, February 14, 2017.


Studying 1980 vs. 2017

Left: Hard at work in the Ziskind Lounge, 1980.
Right: The same scene (anyone spot the difference?), April 28.


CAS front steps 1981 vs 2017

Top: Comm Ave outside of the College of Liberal Arts (now the College of Arts & Sciences). At the time, this part of the building housed the School of Management (now Questrom School of Business); note the plaque near the entrance, September 15, 1981.
Bottom: The same scene, April 23, 2017.


Ziskind Lounge 1981 vs 2017

Top: Studying in the Ziskind Lounge, October 7, 1981.
Bottom: The same scene, April 23, 2017.


Student Demonstrations in Marsh Plaza 1982 vs 2017

Top: Student demonstration in Marsh Plaza against police brutality at the previous weekend’s May Day Dance, April 26, 1982.
Bottom: The same scene, a protest against the Trump Muslim travel ban, January 30, 2017.


Howard Johnson (aka HoJo dorm) 1983 vs 2017

Left: Howard Johnson’s on Comm Ave, June 1983.
Right: The same scene—the 575 Comm Ave residence hall (aka HoJo dorm), Questrom School of Business, and the Kenmore Classroom Building), April 19, 2017.


Student activities in the GSU Link 1983 vs 2017

Left: A student-led raffle for United Way in the GSU Link, November 9, 1983.
Right: The same scene, with a student handing out play flyers, April 18, 2017.


Reading on the steps of a GSU Link stairwell 1983 vs 2017

Left: Reading the Daily Free Press on the steps of a GSU Link staircase, November 16, 1983.
Right: The same scene, April 18, 2017.


George Sherman Union Court 1984 vs 2017

Top: Students in the George Sherman Union, September 14, 1984.
Bottom: The same scene (with major renovations to the Union Court in 1993), April 23, 2017.


Spring at the BU Beach 1984 vs 2017

Top: The BU Beach, May 1985.
Bottom: The same scene, April 9, 2017.


Mugar Memorial Library 1985 vs 2017

Left: Mugar Memorial Library, September 11, 1985.
Right: The same scene, February 26, 2017.


Reading

Left: Reading under one of the arches on Marsh Plaza, February 4, 1991.
Right: The same scene, April 2, 2017.