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).

 

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! 

New Digital Collections for your Viewing Pleasure!

Some new images have been added to our digital collections here at West Chester University. 

Please take a look at WCU's Sharples Collection, which includes the post cards previously written about as well as company advertisements and correspondence. The Sharples Company produced Cream Separators here in West Chester from the 1890's to 1930's.

 
Also take some time to browse WCU's Photograph Collection.  The photographs in this collection portray life and scenery on WCU's campus in the early 20th Century.  Included in the collection is a book of photographs, much like a yearbook, showcasing life in West Chester State Normal School, the predecessor of WCU.  The images give a brief glimpse into WCU's history and are sure to entertain.

Please check our digital collections often as new, freely accessible materials are added regularly!

West Chester and War: The Impact of Pearl Harbor

At 7:55am on December 7, 1941, Japanese dive bombers began their assault on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.  A little over thirty minutes later, the U.S.S. Arizona was destroyed and the Oklahoma capsized. Three other ships sank in shallow water, and nine other vessels and 180 aircraft were also either destroyed or damaged. More than 2,300 people were killed. 

The West Chester community was affected by the bombing and the subsequent announcement of war.  The campus worship service that Sunday morning, however, illustrates the innocence of the people, preparing for Christmas as Japanese planes flew towards Hawaii.  The address given at the service, "Who Will Build a Better World?" takes on new meaning when considering the young men and women listening who would soon be preparing to go to war, to fight and potentially die for their country.  Click on the image for a larger version.

After learning about the bombings, the following address was given to the faculty and student body at West Chester (likely by the president at the time, Dr. Charles S. Swope). Please click on the image below to read the address.  The sense of tragedy felt in West Chester and throughout the country is echoed in this document.   

The war was a fact of life for students after December 7, 1941. The picture below reflects the intensity with which they followed the progress of the battles and the war effort.  You can see at least twenty people clustered around the fellow reading from the newspaper. The photograph is inscribed on the back, "listening to war news." Click on the image if you want to see a larger version.

The issue of Quad Angles (now known as The Quad) from December 12, 1941 was the first published after the bombings.  Though most of the paper is devoted to dealing with Pearl Harbor, there is still evidence of the normal activities of the campus continuing despite the turmoil.

Images of the front page and second pages of the paper are below, but you can read the full paper - it's available at FHG Library on microfilm. You might want to check out the images of page two, which includes an article about the role of women students in the war, as well a selection of editorial comments by students who answer the questions, "What do you think is behind the attacks of Japan on Hawaii? How long do you think the war will last? What do you think the outcome will be?" 

  Front page of the December 12, 1941
  Edition of Quad Angles.

 

 

 

Images of the December 12, 1941 edition of Quad Angles. Click on the images to see larger versions.