History Commons^™

George Croll Baum: Building A Greater Gettysburg, Abraham M. Apfel

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

On November 16th, 1926 George Croll Baum died. In Gettysburg, Pennsylvania the local newspaper covered his death. The Gettysburgian, the paper for Gettysburg College reported that Henry W.A. Hanson, the college president, was “deeply distressed and further noted that Baum's death 'touched the hearts of all that knew him with deep regret.'" Within a month Dr. Hanson had already ordered three memorial plaques to be placed on the campus. Baum's family tried to help pay for them. Hanson refused the money. In a correspondence with Baum‟s brother about the plaques, Hanson told him, “What I did for your brother …

The Legacy Of Charles Henry Huber, Class Of 1892: A Half Century Of Service To Gettysburg College, Alex P. Ferraro

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

In the common room of Huber Hall, there hangs high on the wall a dingy looking portrait of an older gentleman, dressed in a dark suit with round-framed glasses and graying hair. Beneath this portrait framed in faded gold is a small, tarnished, black plaque that gives a name to this curious looking man and briefly describes some of his accomplishments. From this portrait located above a small television, the Reverend Charles Henry Huber looks out over what used to be the lobby of the Gettysburg Academy, which was housed in a building where he spent much of his professional …

The Old Tin Cup, Nicholas T. Scerbo

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

The world of college football, always colorful and exciting, is perhaps at its best on chilly October Saturdays, with the stands packed for Homecoming. There is a grand parade, a Homecoming Queen, an exciting game between gridiron rivals prompting the large crowd to roar with delight as the hometown heroes march dramatically down the field to victory, or perhaps dig in to preserve the lead with time running out and their backs to their own goal. Perhaps a coveted trophy will be awarded to the winning team. Ceremonies will follow the game: a trophy presentation at midfield, in full view …

Original Pennsylvania College Building, Robert S. Kellert

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

At the corner of Washington and High Streets in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania stands a modest old house—an anachronism that somehow seems so fitting in a town of such rich history. In the foreground lies a fairly inconspicuous plaque with condensed text—easy to miss on a leisurely car ride past the antiquated structure. Casually passing by, residents and tourists alike might not give the house a second thought or reflect on its origins. Yet, were they to merely glance over the building‘s historic plaque, they would discover a building whose significance can hardly be overstated. This was the site of the original …

Glatfelter Hall: A Colorful History, Kaitlyn Roman

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

"I had facilities paint over the ugly pink leafy border that went all around my office." With that statement it seemed as though my lead had hit a dead end. But what Professor Ben Bruce, the current head of the Management department, had just told me was just the beginning of a puzzle waiting to be pieced together. Professor Dan DeNicola of the Philosophy department had shared with me a story describing a stenciled artwork located on the fourth floor of Glatfelter Hall with roots stemming in a secret literary society. Immediately this story captivated my interest and that afternoon …

Breidenbaugh To Zinn: The Evolution Of Chemistry At Gettysburg College, Rachel F. Surmick

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

For students at Gettysburg College, there are many departments from which one can chose to make their major course of study. Included among these courses of study is the chemistry department. Though the chemistry department might seem like a stagnant, fixed part of the Gettysburg curriculum, it has not always been that way. For about the past 125 years, the chemistry department has seen a world of change from the time that it finally separated from the physical sciences and became its own department to the changing of omnipresent faculty, the chemistry department has evolved over time to become what …

"Under God": The Story Of Gettysburg In India, Daniel J. Willever

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

At Gettysburg College, any student who strolls through Pennsylvania Hall, Musselman Library, and the College Union Building cannot help but notice the colorful retro-style posters highlighting the accomplished alumni of this historical institution. Some students dream and joke of being included among these men and women, a television star, a children’s author, and a Civil Rights activist among them. Sadly, for every pop culture icon and Nobel Prize winner, there are those who go unnoticed. Pictures of founders and theologians such as Samuel Simon Schmucker and Henry Baugher remain, but there could not be more of a general disinterest in …

Discovering History: The History Of The Ice House Complex, Elizabeth D. Amrhein

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

A gift to Gettysburg College in 1990 from George W. Olinger and Mae E. Olinger, life long residents of Gettysburg, zestful supporters of local history, common sense preservationists and quiet humanitarians. Their gift of these historic buildings and land underscores the Olingers' lasting love for the town of Gettysburg and the College.

Between 1786 and 1990, this area housed a Presbyterian Church and a cemetery, a livery, shirt factory, carriage making complex, blacksmith shop, a wood-works plant, a cutlery, a bottlery, two brewing companies, an ice cream factory, an ice and cold storage facility, a roofing business, personal residences and …

Failure And Success: Paul R. Sieber, Nelson F. Fisher, And The Fifty-Year Struggle For The Gettysburg College Health Center, Dallas A. Grubbs

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

In the winter of 1954, four men and one woman set out to accomplish a goal that Gettysburg College had been pursuing for more than forty years. All five of them were trustees of the college, and together they formed a special committee within the Board of Trustees. They were the Infirmary Committee, a small body composed of Paul R. Sieber, Nelson F. Fisher, Mrs. Charles W. Baker, John H. Beerits, and Arthur Hendley. In 1954, following one of the most violent outbreaks of influenza ever to strike the college campus, Chairman Hiram H. Keller authorized Paul Sieber, a prominent …

The Unsung Vigilance: A History Of Sentinel, Austin W. Clark

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

At risk of over using a popular cliché, there are objects everywhere on the Gettysburg College campus that are “hidden in plain sight.” For some objects, it is easy to stay hidden in this manner. Though we as college students and faculty pass them each day, they are simple plaques embedded in the cement paths we walk on, or the porticos of the academic buildings we enter without even thinking. Yet for other objects, it remains a perpetual mystery as to how even the infamously dense mind of the modern young adult could fail to, at least notice. The sculpture …

Preserving The Memory: An Examination Of The Masters Fountain Plaque, Donated By J. William Warehime, Victoria A. Shepard

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

It is crucial not to underestimate your surroundings, for every place embraces a story. My story unfolds two years ago during a perfect day in late summer of 2007, a day to witness the beauty of Gettysburg College at its prime. Merely a skittish freshman, I remember walking hurriedly to my first Astronomy class in Masters Hall while simultaneously attempting to soak in the pristine condition of the surrounding brick buildings and picturesque landscape. I could not help but feel intimidated by the upperclassmen, already accustomed to the Gettysburg lifestyle. Quickening my pace, I finally reached Masters Hall and paused …

Ivy And The Class Of 1933, Elizabeth M. Ungemach

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

Plaques are curious items. According to MSN Encarta, a plaque is “a small flat piece of metal, stone, or other hard material that has an inscription or decoration on it and is fixed to a wall or other surface, often to commemorate somebody or something.” They can be found in a variety of places, celebrate a number of events, and vary in complexity from a single sentence to lengthy paragraphs. Many go unnoticed, but if one looks hard enough, they appear fairly frequently. This oddity is especially true at Gettysburg, where plaques on campus celebrate events and people on buildings, …

Plaque In Christ Chapel, Amanda C. Caligiuri

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

We see them every day and pass them as we rush to class. Painting, monuments, and even old photographs that remind us of Gettysburg’s past. They have become so commonplace that we hardly spare a second glance for them so that they start to fade into the general scenery, eventually losing their meaning and with that, the rich history that they denote. What if one could turn back the clock and return to the beginning of freshman year when every sign and monument was new, worth our attention and more importantly, our curiosity? Although Gettysburg College is well steeped in …

The Columned Building: A Gettysburg Legacy, Brett Jackson

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

A new Eisenhower Institute for Leadership and Public Policy is currently being installed at 157 North Washington Street, the house which was home to a young Dwight Eisenhower and his family during the summer of 1918. Eisenhower became a longtime friend of Gettysburg College, and as President Katherine Haley Will states, “We claim Ike as our own.” However, a summer rental by a future national hero does not fully capture the historical value of this residence to our campus. In fact, it was owned for over forty years by Alpha Tau Omega and its story traces the birth of the …

Portrait Of Professor Breidenbaugh, Melissa A. Heckel

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

People often do not see what is right in front of them; objects that are passed by everyday are often unnoticed. People are not necessarily unobservant, but are probably more absorbed with their own activities. One object that is hidden in plain sight on the Gettysburg College campus is the portrait of Professor Edward S. Breidenbaugh that hangs in the Science Center. The name Breidenbaugh is commonly known amongst the students at Gettysburg because of the building in his name, Breidenbaugh Hall. However, the history behind Breidenbaugh and his portrait is not as commonly known as the name, but is …

“Passages” Mural On College Union Building, Elizabeth A. Ryan

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

The mural “Passages” in the back of the Ballroom in the College Union Building may seem to be another painting on the wall to add to the décor of the room, but it can be found to be a case of “history in plain sight.” The mural depicts the history of Gettysburg College through the art work of Ellen Elmes on four separate panels. But the mural is more than a visual reminder of Gettysburg College’s past. It was donated by Luther Ritter, Class of 1933, and as such is a reminder of all the great Alumni who have passed …

Distinguished Gallantry In Action, Ashley N. Towle

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

Among the many paintings of Abraham Lincoln hanging in the Civil War Institute, there is one face that may not be as familiar. Peering out from a small wooden frame in the main office sits Philip Goettel, a Civil War soldier. His posture is relaxed as he sits in a chair proudly displaying his Union uniform. A caption with the mere word “Father” appears below him, along with a significant date: 1863. Truly, the year 1863 would be a pivotal year in Philip Goettel’s life. He would be wounded, scale a mountain under fire, and earn a Medal of Honor. …

2001 National Lacrosse Finalist Plaque, Devin J. Hewitt

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

Amidst a dusty trophy case in Bream Athletic Center sits a small plaque. It has a gold lacrosse stick and simply states: “2001 National Lacrosse Finalist”. Most people would walk by and never even notice the plaque, and if they did they probably wouldn’t think twice about it. However, upon delving into the history of the plaque I found a story of intense on-and-off-the field rivalries, the emergence of a national power, players learning to come together to overcome adversity, the culmination of years of building, and eventual heartbreak. [excerpt]

Course Information:

• Course Title: HIST 300: Historical Method …

Robert Fortenbaugh: Understanding A Man Through His Scholarship, Tracy E. Clifford

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

On the second floor of Weidensall Hall at Gettysburg College hangs a picture of Dr. Robert Fortenbaugh. This portrait is hidden in plain sight, and countless people pass by it everyday on their way to an office, a classroom, or elsewhere. However, when one begins to notice the picture’s presence, the question begs to be asked, who was Robert Fortenbaugh? Why is his picture hanging in Weidensall Hall? What impact did he have on the history of Gettysburg College that makes him worthy of being remembered? The answer to those questions include many answers. Most formidable among these, however, was …

Eddie Plank Historical Marker, Garrett S. Gaydosh

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

Eddie Plank (1875-1926)

Baseball great. One of the most dominant pitchers of the twentieth century. "Gettysburg Eddie" compiled a record of 326-194 in a 17-year career (1901-17), mostly with the Philadelphia Athletics. He won 20 games or more eight times and helped the A's win six pennants and three world championships. Plank was born [near this spot], attended Gettysburg Academy, and retired and died in Gettysburg. Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, 1946.

Course Information:

• Course Title: HIST 300: Historical Method
• Academic Term: Spring 2006
• Course Instructor: Dr. Michael J. Birkner '72

Hidden in Plain Sight is a collection …

Gargoyles On Glatfelter Hall, Katherine D. Anthony

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

When one walks around the campus of Gettysburg College, Glatfelter Hall towers above them, as one of the College’s most commanding edifices. One takes notice of the arched doorways, sunken windows, and the giant bell tower whose occupant chimes on the hour. What one may not notice are the eyes watching from the brownstone; faces and creatures at home in the stone, surveying your every move. Grotesques and gargoyles sit in the moldings, on the window sills and at the junction where roof and wall meet, hidden from the eye that does not have the compulsion to look. These architectural …

Parker B. Wagnild Portrait In Schmucker Hall, Stephanie M. Bonnes

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

A painting of Parker B. Wagnild hangs outside of the College Choir rehearsal room in Schmucker hall. Only a plaque bearing his name is underneath the painting, even the artist remains unknown. The painting is quite small in comparison to what the man in the painting has done for Gettysburg College. Though perhaps the placement of the painting means more than its size, for it located at a central spot in the music department building, and it is right outside of the College Choir rehearsal room. This places Wagnild at the heart of both the department and the choir, both …

Silent Doorway To The Past: “Vigil” Painting In Weidensall Hall, Elizabeth A. Appenzeller

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

Every object has a story waiting to be told. There is one such artifact that hangs boldly on the mantle of the fireplace in Weidensall Hall its presence large and demanding. The plaque reads “‘The Vigil’ Presented in honor of Mrs. H.W.A. Hanson by the Altoona League.” The artist’s signature is absent from the painting. The painting acts as a window into the history of Gettysburg College. One cannot understand the history of “The Vigil” without knowing the story of the Woman’s League of Gettysburg College, or of Robert Weidensall and the Young Men’s Christian Association. “The Vigil” that hangs …

Portrait Of Philip H. Glatfelter In Glatfelter Hall, Rachel L. Burg

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

The first floor lobby of Glatfelter Hall is home to a Ned Bittinger oil painting portrait of Philip H. Glatfelter, the namesake of the building. Bittinger was commissioned in 1988 to paint the portraits of several Gettysburg College benefactors. Philip H. Glatfelter’s generosity to Gettysburg College was never ending. In a forty year period, P.H. Glatfelter, his son William L. Glatfelter, and their immediate family gave $225,000 to Gettysburg College. At the time of his death in 1907, he was considered “one of the best friends, if not the best, that Gettysburg College ever had.” [excerpt]

Course Information: …

Stargazing: Observatories At Gettysburg College, 1874-Present, Andrew A. Carlson

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

Astronomy has long been a subject which has attracted the interest of man. Examples of early astronomers can be found in many ancient civilizations, including but not limited to, the Egyptians, the Chinese and the Greeks. As time passed the methods for interpreting the stars and theories that surrounded them changed concordant with the technology available. One of the largest breakthroughs in the world of astronomy was the invention of the telescope in the early seventeenth century. Often mis-attributed to Galileo (who was responsible for building the first reflecting telescope in 1688), the telescope was actually first designed by a …

Gettysburg College Fountain, Amanda M. Spillman

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

When visiting Gettysburg most people are surprised to find a college nestled amongst the acres of battlefields and quaint tourist town. The few that find their way to the campus are taken back by its unique array of architecture, beautifully manicured lawns, and a fountain right in the middle of all of it. Prospective students often have the same reaction. On paper Gettysburg College seems like any other school, but usually once a student visits, they fall in love with the with the campus, charming in every shade of green in spring, and ablaze with vibrant oranges and reds in …

Daniel Alexander Payne Historical Marker, James Judge

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

Racial oppression marked the nineteenth century in American history. People of color were seen as inferior and had a hard time bettering their lives through education or employment. However some men were able to rise above oppression. Daniel Alexander Payne was one such individual who was able to better his life. He served as a pioneer in the advancement of African Americans long before the NAACP or the Civil Rights Movement. Through his hard work and faith in God, he made inroads that would lead to equality for all people. Most people probably ignore or do not see Daniel Payne’s …

Portrait Of Thaddeus Stevens By Jacob Eichholtz, Axel T. Kaegler

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

When we were approached to do a paper on the hidden history of an object in Gettysburg College, a colleague and I decided to take a weekend afternoon to walk around the campus in order to find an object to write about. After wandering for a while, we entered Penn Hall, and in the Lyceum we looked at the portraits of great contributors to Gettysburg College. One face that struck me was that of Thaddeus Stevens, who I remembered as one of the great Radical Republicans of the Civil War era. Gettysburg is very much a Civil War oriented area. …

The Remnants Of A Shard Of Hope Tainted By The Shadow Of Evil, Sergio J.A. Ragno

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

A symbol is unique as a form of communication in that it holds no meaning standing alone, but rather gains meaning by people. As such a symbol can sometimes lead one astray for its meaning is liquid. A symbol that once represented something beautiful can be used by a sinister group, and through that become an icon of evil. Such a symbol can be found here at Gettysburg College: the Swastika. I found this symbol decorating the floor tiles of the second floor entrance to Breidenbaugh Hall. What the symbol represents may not be as ambiguous as it may seem, …

Eisenhower Statue, Jamie L. Kessler

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

Every day thousands of students walk across the Gettysburg College campus. They are distracted by thinking about class, or homework, or the latest happenings in their social lives. Whether or not they think about it daily the students are aware of the historical place in which they are present, the battlefields which surround the campus and the Civil War re-enactors who are reminders of the historical significance of this area. But what is much less obvious to the students is that on their walks to and from classes and to meals or to check their mail they pass what is …