Archives often have backlogs of materials that have not been fully classified, described or indexed; these collections are called “hidden” because they are difficult or impossible for researchers to use. Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries (PACSCL) has received a grant from Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) for the PACSCL’s Hidden Collections Project.  This two year endeavor will make accessible over 140 hidden collections at 24 different libraries and archives in the area.  Drexel University Archives is one of them!

Three of the Archives collections will be processed as part of the PACSCL grant in order for researchers, scholars and students to have easier access to materials. The three collections are:

1: Library Records
This collection contains information on the construction of Hagerty Library, including building plans, annual reports from various departments within the library, as well as staff meeting minutes, correspondence, pamphlets of library events and exhibitions.

2. College of Engineering Records
The collection consists of annual reports, correspondence of faculty and administration in the department, staff meeting minutes, reports and other records pertaining to individual departments within the college.

3. Evening College Records
This collection is comprised of annual reports, details of the activities and accomplishments of the program, reports on topics such as student employment; faculty meeting minutes; lists of faculty and personnel directories; subject files; and faculty guides.

We’ll post updates about the processing on this blog as the project moves forward.

Hollis Godfrey (1874-1936) served as president of the Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry from December 1, 1913, to October 1, 1921, transforming it into a formal collegiate institution.

~Shaun Kirkpatrick

Hollis Godfrey, 1914

Learn more about Mr. Godfrey and other Drexel Presidents downstairs in Hagerty where this month’s exhibition at the Archives is The Past Personified: a Presidential History of Drexel.

Ellen B. Thompson Pyle, who studied illustration at the Drexel Institute from 1895-99, is the subject of a new exhibition at the Delaware Art Museum.  “Illustrating Her World: Ellen B. T. Pyle,” is on view until January 3, 2010. Can’t make it to Wilmington for the show? Check out the exhibition catalogue in the University Archives.

Anthony J. Drexel and business partner George W. Childs selected Philadelphia public school superintendent James MacAlister (1840-1913) as the first president of their new Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry.  MacAlister oversaw the institute from its dedication on Dec. 17, 1891 (though his term officially began on January 1, 1892), through June 5, 1913, establishing its administrative policies and hiring its first instructional staff.  ~ Shaun Kirkpatrick

James MacAlister

Interested in learning more about Mr. MacAlister, come and see the exhibition The Past Personified: a Presidential History of Drexel on the lower level in Hagerty.

Please note that the University Archives will not be open on Wednesday evening, August 26. We’ll resume our Wednesday evening hours next week, September 2, 2009, until 8 p.m.

No matter what your area of the Arts and Sciences you pursue, your bound to explore new horizons.

Visiting Hagerty Library?  A new display in the continuing series of exhibitions to highlight Drexel University’s Archives and Special Collections is now up!

The Past Personified: a Presidential History of Drexel

The exhibition, curated by Shaun Kirkpatrick, features photographs and documents pertaining to the lives of Drexel’s ten full-time occupants in the office of President.  Providing biographical information about each President as well as noting the fundamental changes instituted under their leadership.

President Creese serves ice cream to students. Circa 1954

There is also an online version of the exhibition in addition to the physical one.

For me information about this exhibition, future exhibtions or to see more materials and photographs relating to Drexel’s President’s, contact the archives.

Drexel University has been offering evening programs and courses in nursing and nutrition for over a hundred years.

Please stop by the lobby of the Creese Student Center to see an exhibition titled:

The Enriched Collegiate Experience: Historical Photographs of Student Clubs, Teams, Organizations, and Events.

The photographs range from the early 1900’s through the late 1980’s, showcasing the rich tradition of student life and demonstrating its vital role in the Drexel experience.

In addition to the physical exhibition, an online version is also available.

For more information about this exhibition, future exhibitions, or to see more photographs or student artifacts, contact the archives.

Great Court c. 1922

Drexel has been fostering innovative and creative artistic disciplines since being founded in 1891.