Browse Exhibits (25 total) | (Switch to Items)
Van Rensselaer Dedication Ceremony
The exhibition contains photographs and news clippings pertaining to the cornerstone laying ceremony for the Van Rensselaer Dormitory. Sara ("Sallie") Rozet Drexel was born in 1860, the fourth child of Anthony J. and Ellen R. Drexel. She married John R. Fell in 1879. They had five children together: Amanda, Ellen, Mae, Francis and John. After John Fell's death, Sara married Alexander Van Rensselaer, founder of the Philadelphia Orchestra and President of the Board of the Drexel Institute. Sara died in 1929. The Drexel Institute's Sara Drexel Van Rensselaer Dormitory, dedicated in 1931, was named in her honor to commemorate her charity work
Virginia Carter Castleman, Class of 1899
Virginia Carter Castleman, an 1899 graduate of the library school at Drexel Institute, documented her student days in photographs. During Castleman's time, the majority of classes and administrative activities at Drexel were confined to the Main Building at 32nd and Chestnut Streets. In 1899, what now encompasses the Drexel campus was crowded with residences, businesses, and small industrial buildings. While most students came from Philadelphia and the surrounding region, Virginia Castleman was one of the few that came from out of the area to attend. The photographs seen here provide some insight into student life at Drexel at the turn of the century. More importantly, they offer the unique perspective of an independent woman during a interesting period in the history of women and Philadelphia. The originals of the photographs in this exhibit are part of the Virginia Carter Castleman photograph collection in the Drexel University Archives.
"A Manner Worthy of their Importance": The Mystery of Drexel's Standish Collection of Rare Books
The Standish Collection is one of the oldest collection of books at Drexel University. Within the collection are books printed in the years immediately following the discovery of printing by Gutenberg -- beautiful, expensive, rare books.
It is also one of Drexel's biggest mysteries. Why does Drexel have a collection of early printed books? Who is the mysterious donor, George Miles Standish? Why did he choose Drexel? Is Drexel under any special obligation to the collection -- were any promises made in return for the books?
William Sidney Pittman: Drexel's Class of 1900
African American architect William Sidney Pittman graduated from the Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry in 1900. Ten years later, a profile written on the young architect stated simply: “Mr. Pittman is considered the leading architect of his race.” Over the course of a relatively short career, Pittman is credited with forty designs or additions, mainly in the vicinity of Washington D.C. and the state of Texas. Most of what we know about Pittman’s student days comes from a series of letters he wrote to Booker T. Washington between 1897 and 1900. Those letters are part of the Booker T. Washington papers at the Library of Congress. Questions or comments about this exhibit should be directed to the Drexel University Archives at archives@drexel.edu.
"Soak the Gelatin and Scald the Cream": Cookery at the Drexel Institute, 1894-1914
In establishing the Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry in 1891, Anthony J. Drexel’s goal was to provide practical education and vocational training to both men and women. This exhibition offers a view into the experiences of the students and an instructor at the Department of Domestic Economy. This department, later known as the Department of Domestic Science and Arts, offered opportunities for women’s studies in cooking, child care, dressmaking, and the service industry. The cookery program was particularly popular, and offered several classes in general cooking, teacher training, and invalid cookery. Students cooked in practice kitchens located in the Main Building and prepared lunch for the Drexel cafeteria. Student records show that the Department’s graduates went on to work as cooks in hotels and hospitals, and instructors of cooking and home economics. This digital exhibit recreates the "Historical Cooking Exhibition at Hagerty," an exhibition opened at the W.W. Hagerty Library at Drexel on September 26, 2008.
Emanuel Kelly : Fellow of the American Institute of Architects
Emanuel Kelly, FAIA, was raised in West Philadelphia and has been managing the design, documentation, and construction of architectural, urban design, and planning projects for thirty-six years. He graduated with a degree in architecture from Drexel University in 1971 and received his master’s degree in city planning and urban design from Harvard University in 1974. He returned to Philadelphia in 1976 and, along with Vincent Maiello, AIA, established the architectural and planning firm Kelly/Maiello, Inc. Over the course of his many years in the city, his firm has worked on a number of significant projects, including the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center, the renovation and preservation of Philadelphia City Hall and many others for local and state government, educational entities, and social service organizations. In addition, his firm has taken a special interest in community revitalization and designing affordable housing for all residents. Mr. Kelly is the father of two grown sons and currently resides in West Philadelphia with his wife. The Drexel University Libraries presents this online exhibit to honor the work of Drexel graduate Emanuel Kelly. This exhibit highlights just a few of the many projects completed by the Kelly/Maiello firm.
Drexel Fight Songs
The first cheer affiliated with Drexel athletics can be found in the 1924 version of the student yearbook, the Lexerd. The cheer emerged around the same time that Drexel athletics became an officially recognized and supported part of Drexel student life. With a new commitment from the school’s administration, came a new school spirit anchored by the activity of the “Dragons.” In 1931, the Drexel Athletic News printed a full page of Drexel related songs, including the first "Fight Song." This version, likely written in the 1920s, was printed in every edition of the Athletic News up until 1938. The version of the Drexel Fight Song heard here was written by Gay V. Piercy (Class of 1939) and Todd Groo (Class of 1941) and appeared for the first time in the October 1938 edition of the Drexel Athletic News. The version written by Piercy and Groo was recorded by the Drexel Bands and Combined Glee Clubs in the 1950s. The recording of the song was discovered among a collection of unrelated documents by the University Archivist in the spring of 2006. It also contained other recordings that are available here for the first time.
Early Classes at the Drexel Institute
As a fledgling institution, the Drexel Institute became known for its practical view of education. This exhibit shows Drexel in its original form: a technical career institute for young professionals.
Daskalakis Athletic Center
This exhibit explores the history of Drexel's athletic center, featuring photos of the building's planning, construction, and completion, as well as photos of students using the facility. Also featured is a profile on John A. Daskalaskis, a 1963 alumnus, whose generous donation in 2000 prompted the school to rename the building in his honor.
History of the Library School at Drexel University
A history of the changes of the library school at Drexel since its beginning in 1892. This exhibition is a work-in-progress.