Sixth Floor Finds: WCU Archives & Special Collections Blog

A Civil War at West Chester?

Nope.  Just a celebration to honor the Sesquicentennial (that's 150 years!) Anniversary of the American Civil War. 

2011 marked the beginning of the five-year sesquicentennial celebration and West Chester University is getting in on the action.  On Friday, April 27th, 2012 WCU presents, The American Civil War: The First Year in Review, 1861-1862: 150th Anniversary of the Civil War.  Events occur throughout the day from 10am to 7pm and include guest speakers on important aspects of the Civil War in Philips Autograph Library, a reenactment of camp life in the Civil War in the Quad, and a living history exhibit also on the Quad.  A full schedule of events and their locations can be found in the link above. Questions about the event?  Contact Dr. Robert Kodosky of the history department (rkodosky@wcupa.edu).

Francis Harvey Green Library is also getting in on the action.  An exhibit, "West Chester: A Small Town in a Big War, 1861-1865" on the 6th floor of the library, outside of Special Collections (room 615) highlights important Civil War finds and materials in the library's Special Collections.  Materials include letters, receipts, and invoices of Dr. William Goodell, a Philadelphia Gynecologist and acting surgeon in the Civil War camp in West Chester, that housed paroled soldiers from the Battle of Gettysburg.  Other materials include selected Civil War regimental histories and memoirs as well as information on West Chester's role in the war.  The exhibit is available for viewing during normal library hours for the remainder of the semester and throughout the summer.

The image to the right is a scanned document from the William Goodell Collection in WCU's Special Collections.  The document is a petition signed by West Chester Citizens pledging funds to answer President Abraham Lincoln's call for 500,000 soldiers.  Instead of "donating men" to the cause these individuals donated money, which was common practice for wealthier individuals.

Questions about the library exhibit or the image?  Contact Special Collections Librarian, Tara Wink (twink@wcupa.edu).

 

A Civil War at West Chester?

Nope.  Just a celebration to honor the Sesquicentennial (that's 150 years!) Anniversary of the American Civil War. 

2011 marked the beginning of the five-year sesquicentennial celebration and West Chester University is getting in on the action.  On Friday, April 27th, 2012 WCU presents, The American Civil War: The First Year in Review, 1861-1862: 150th Anniversary of the Civil War.  Events occur throughout the day from 10am to 7pm and include guest speakers on important aspects of the Civil War in Philips Autograph Library, a reenactment of camp life in the Civil War in the Quad, and a living history exhibit also on the Quad.  A full schedule of events and their locations can be found in the link above.

Questions about the event?  Contact Dr. Robert Kodosky of the history department (rkodosky@wcupa.edu).

Francis Harvey Green Library is also getting in on the action.  An exhibit, "West Chester: A Small Town in a Big War, 1861-1865" on the 6th floor of the library, outside of Special Collections (room 615) highlights important Civil War finds and materials in the library's Special Collections.  Materials include letters, receipts, and invoices of Dr. William Goodell, a Philadelphia Gynecologist and acting surgeon in the Civil War camp in West Chester, that housed paroled soldiers from the Battle of Gettysburg.  Other materials include selected Civil War regimental histories and memoirs as well as information on West Chester's role in the war.  The exhibit is available for viewing during normal library hours for the remainder of the semester and throughout the summer.

The image to the right is a scanned document from the William Goodell Collection in WCU's Special Collections.  The document is a petition signed by West Chester Citizens pledging funds to answer President Abraham Lincoln's call for 500,000 soldiers.  Instead of "donating men" to the cause these individuals donated money, which was common practice for wealthier individuals.

Questions about the library exhibit or the image?  Contact Special Collections Librarian, Tara Wink (twink@wcupa.edu).

 

A Civil War at West Chester?

Nope.  Just a celebration to honor the Sesquicentennial (that's 150 years!) Anniversary of the American Civil War. 

2011 marked the beginning of the five-year sesquicentennial celebration and West Chester University is getting in on the action.  On Friday, April 27th, 2012 WCU presents, The American Civil War: The First Year in Review, 1861-1862: 150th Anniversary of the Civil War.  Events occur throughout the day from 10am to 7pm and include guest speakers on important aspects of the Civil War in Philips Autograph Library, a reenactment of camp life in the Civil War in the Quad, and a living history exhibit also on the Quad.  A full schedule of events and their locations can be found in the link above. Questions about the event?  Contact Dr. Robert Kodosky of the history department (rkodosky@wcupa.edu).

Francis Harvey Green Library is also getting in on the action.  An exhibit, "West Chester: A Small Town in a Big War, 1861-1865" on the 6th floor of the library, outside of Special Collections (room 615) highlights important Civil War finds and materials in the library's Special Collections.  Materials include letters, receipts, and invoices of Dr. William Goodell, a Philadelphia Gynecologist and acting surgeon in the Civil War camp in West Chester, that housed paroled soldiers from the Battle of Gettysburg.  Other materials include selected Civil War regimental histories and memoirs as well as information on West Chester's role in the war.  The exhibit is available for viewing during normal library hours for the remainder of the semester and throughout the summer.

The image to the right is a scanned document from the William Goodell Collection in WCU's Special Collections.  The document is a petition signed by West Chester Citizens pledging funds to answer President Abraham Lincoln's call for 500,000 soldiers.  Instead of "donating men" to the cause these individuals donated money, which was common practice for wealthier individuals.

Questions about the library exhibit or the image?  Contact Special Collections Librarian, Tara Wink (twink@wcupa.edu).

 

Student Protests Then and Now

So by now many readers are probably aware of Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Corbett’s proposed plan to cut the budget of the 14 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities (including West Chester University) by 20%. On campus today many students, faculty, and staff joined together to  protest in the Academic Quad, and the rally against budget cuts outside of Ehringer Gym. Many readers on campus probably heard and saw the surpising turnout in support of West Chester University.  Not surprisingly todays protest was not the first time students have rallied to protect their wallets and  education. One of the most well documented examples is from 1979.

It started with a triumphant tuition cap in the summer of 1979. Due to the efforts of the Commonwealth Association of Students, the cap prevented a $50 increase in tuition for colleges across Pennsylvania. However in Harrisburg a coalition run by the Secretary of Education, Robert Scanlon, worked to declare the cap unconstitutional. At the same time the Board of State College and University Directors voted that a tuition increase of $150 was needed, an extra $100 than what was originally planned. At this time Pennsylvania was last in the nation in the number of students that went on from high school to college, where as the tuition for public higher education was the highest, and the schools underfunded. The students, of course, decided to take action (Quad, 1979).

In a particulary clever protest, students across Pennsylvania (including West Chester State College) signed thousands of fake $50 bills with the phrase “This is the only $50 I have, take it or leave it!”, and sent them to the office of the Secretary of Education. The students of West Chester State College then organized a boycott of classes, not dissimilar from today's class walkout, in protest of the tuition increase and the underfunding of state schools. The organizers encouraged students to form pickets in front of classroom buildings, send letters to their state legislators, and attend a teach-in organized by APSCUF (Association of State College and University Faculty). (Quad, 1979)

The information on the 1979 protest comes from The Quad, which can be found in Francis Harvey Green Library.  The images shown are part of Special Collections' Photograph Collection.

Remembering WCU Veterans

The West Chester University community has a rich history of service to our country.  Men and women, students, faculty, administration and staff throughout WCU's history have served in every major war from the Spanish American War to the Iraq War.  To celebrate that deep history here's highlighting some unique WCU veteran material.

Check out our digitized Yearbooks, especially those during war years.  They provide excellent insight into campus life and moral during war time.  The earliest Serpentines also provide commentary through class mottos and stories, literary pieces, artwork and interesting nicknames and captions for students and faculty alike.

This image from the 1943 Serpentine illustrates the view of WCU during World War II and the appropriate theme was “Victory.”  The caption for this illustration states “We fully realize that we, the future teachers of America [WCU was then a state teachers college], have a real challenge to meet.  To us will be entrusted the guidance of the youth of today—the leaders of the future.  To us will be given the task of reconstructing the world of tomorrow and making it a better place in which to live.  Our fellow classmates, our relatives, and our friends in the armed forces are stationed in the four corners of the earth.  They are doing their best, just as we at West Chester have been striving to do ours, so that we may come out of this struggle victorious.

With these thoughts in mind, we selected “Victory” as the theme of our 1943 Serpentine….”

The university’s student paper also provides wonderful illustrations and commentary of campus life during war times.  These papers include news on the wars throughout the WCU’s history as well as memories of lost community members and lighthearted verses. 

The image is from the December 15, 1944, Quad Angles.  Each issue in this era had a question for students; this issue’s question was “What do you want for Christmas.”  Among the more humorous answers, such as “Nylon Stockings.” from the editor Elaine Hunn and “A diamond, but I know I won’t get it.  He’s overseas,” from Marion Kirk, then freshmen are more serious requests for an end to the war and peace.

To read more about WCU’s service history check out Dr. Russell Sturzbeckers’ Centennial History of West Chester State College. 

Also, check out a current WCU project, Soldiers to Scholars.  This project places oral history interviews of current WCU students and veterans online, so their stories are heard.

And most importantly a genunine thank you to all the Veterans out there.  Your sacrifices and service are greatly appreciated.  Happy Veterans Day!

Musical finds in the vault.

Did you know that we have an old bass drum hiding in the Special Collections Vault? 

This drum (as you can probably figure out) was used by the marching band, when West Chester University was West Chester State Teacher's College (1927-1960).

When the marching band started there were only 50 members, as compared to the 300 members of the current ensemble. Although the marching band wasn't founded until the 1930's there were still plenty of musical ensembles before then. For example, below is a picture of a drum, similar to the one located in Special Collections, that was used by the student band at the West Chester State Normal School (1871-1927). 

 

The postcard to the left is part of a collection of post cards that you can find online in our digital collections. To access the other collections at WCU go to the FHG Library website scroll down, and click on Digital Collections.

Of course, the drum isn't the only item we have about the music program here at West Chester University. We also have student handbooks and faculty profile books dating back to the 1970's, and programs from concerts, operas, and recitals dating all the way back to the 1800's!

Also, did you know that there's a music library at West Chester University? If you are on campus take a walk over to the Swope Music Building, walk in the main doors and turn right, you can't miss it! In the library you can find all kinds of sound and video recordings, and full scores of music.

To find out about upcoming Music events in Swope Hall check out the College of Visual and Performing Arts website. And of course, you can see the marching band at any home football game.

 

Happy New Year!!

...School year that is! 

Yup it's that time of year again, the days are getting shorter, weather getting (slightly) cooler, and thousands of students have made their way back to West Chester University.  And with all that begins a new year of Sixth Floor Finds!

Things to keep an eye on this year include: events celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Civil War; new digital collections; and as always new, interesting and unique finds on the 6^th floor of WCU’s Francis Harvey Green Library. 

This year I'd also like to turn the table a bit and found out what kind of things you would like to hear more about?  What can't you get enough of?  Exhibits?  Digital Collections?  Photographs?  Feel free to contact me on items of curiosity or simply to comment on this blog.  I'd love to know what you are interested in and enjoy reading.

Happy New School Year everyone!  Best wishes for a successful academic year! 

Sharples Separator Works -- a new Exhibit!

Stop by the sixth floor of FH Green Library to see a new exhibit featuring materials from the Sharples Separator Works Company. 

Established in 1881 by Philip M. (P.M.) Sharples, a West Chester machinist, the company created centrifugal cream separators and other farm and manufacturing equipment in West Chester for nearly 50 years.  By 1900 the company included plants in Elgin, Illinois and San Francisco, California and eventually took the world by storm by establishing plants in Toronto, Canada and Harburg, Germany.  At its height, the company was the largest industrial company in West Chester (then and now), employing 600 workers, covering five acres, and making an average of 3,700 separators a year.

The company, like many others in its day, succumbed to financial difficulties during the Great Depression.  On November 12, 1929 the milking machine subsidiary filed for bankruptcy and by March 29, 1933 Philip M. Sharples asked a judge to place his company into bank receivership, claiming he was owed $495,000.  Thus Sharples Separator Works Company was closed. 

The Sharples Family, even prior to this company, was an influential family in West Chester and Chester County generally.  John Sharples (1624-1685) was born in Cheshire, England.  In 1682, John Sharples purchased land in Pennsylvania from William Penn; records of this purchase along with receipt of payment were recorded in the deed book for Chester County in 1688.  The Sharples family arrived in Pennsylvania in June of 1682 on the Friendship.  The family lived on 330 acres on the bank of the Ridley Creek. After arriving in Pennsylvania the family quickly became an influential Quaker family in Chester County politics and business.  In fact William Sharples (1752-1817), a fourth-generation Pennsylvanian, became the first Chief Burgess (mayor) of West Chester when the city was founded in 1799.  He was also the first president of the First West Chester Fire Company established at the same time and a general store owner at 13 North High Street and the great, great, great grandfather of P.M. Sharples.

The Exhibit will remain up througout the summer and can be viewed during normal library hours. More information on Sharples Separator Works Company and the Sharples Family can be found in Special  Collections in the following books:

• Anderson, Bart ed. The Sharples—Sharpless Family. West Chester, PA: s.n., 1966-1971.
• Jones, Jim. Made in West Chester: the History of Industry in West Chester, Pennsylvania 1867-1945. West Chester, PA: s.n., 2003.
• Paul Rodebaugh, Jeffrey Rollison, Eric Chandlee Wilson, eds. West Chester: the First 200 Years: 1799-1999: a Bicentennial Souvenir. West Chester, PA: West Chester Bicentennial History Committee, 1999. 

Please also visit our Sharples Digital Collection to see more Sharples Images.

Happy National Library Week!!

April 10 - 16 is  National Library Week!  To celebrate this event, we have created an exhibit of nostalgic Library Read Posters and special edition children's books.  The exhibit can be viewed during normal library hours on the 6th floor of Francis Harvey Green Library outside of Special Collections (room 615). 

Also Remember our upcoming event, this Wednesday, April 13th:

Howard Pyle and the Red Rose Girls 

A presentation featuring Cathering Quillman, author of the recently published 100 Artists of the Brandywine Valley.  Quillman will explore the importance of this impressive triumvirate of local artists.  Trained by Howard Pyle, the Red Rose Girls (Elizabeth Shippen Green, Violet Oakley, and Jessie Willcox Smith) dominated America's "golden age" of illustration (1880-1911).

 

Event Details: 

Wednesday, April 13, 2011; 2:00-4:00 PM

Francis Harvey Green Library, Special Collections, Room 615

Following the presentation the author will be on hand to sign books and light refreshments will be served.

To RSVP call: 610-436-2747 

Save the Date -- Upcoming Event!

Coming Wednesday, April 13, 2011...

Howard Pyle and the Red Rose Girls

A presentation featuring Cathering Quillman, author of the recently published 100 Artists of the Brandywine Valley.  Quillman will explore the importance of this impressive triumvirate of local artists.  Trained by Howard Pyle, the Red Rose Girls (Elizabeth Shippen Green, Violet Oakley, and Jessie Willcox Smith) dominated America's "golden age" of illustration (1880-1911).

Event Details:

Wednesday, April 13, 2011; 2:00-4:00 PM

Francis Harvey Green Library, Special Collections, Room 615

Following the presentation the author will be on hand to sign books and light refreshments will be served.

To RSVP call: 610-436-2747