History Commons^™

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. …

Ms-069: Papers Of John W. Vannorsdall, Amy Sanderson

All Finding Aids

The Papers of John W. Vannorsdall consist correspondence and issues proposals from the late 1960’s and early 1970’s from the Office of the Chaplain at Gettysburg College. The papers also include papers pertaining to the Chapel and the Student Christian Association during the same time period.

Special Collections and College Archives Finding Aids are discovery tools used to describe and provide access to our holdings. Finding aids include historical and biographical information about each collection in addition to inventories of their content. More information about our collections can be found on our website http://www.gettysburg.edu/special_collections/collections/.

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 …

Ronald Warner: The Unknown Superstar, Eric J. Schroeder

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

Gettysburg is a place with plenty of history. Everyone knows about the battle of Gettysburg in the civil war and that it took place on this campus. Everyone knows that President Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address just minutes from the Gettysburg College campus. This area is rich in history that Americans know. When Gettysburg College opened in 1832, it too began to makes its own history space. New buildings erected, some buildings knocked down, new memorials, and everything on this campus has a certain history. [excerpt]

Course Information:

• Course Title: HIST 300: Historical Method
• Academic Term: …

George C. Baum – His Life, His Work, And His Relationship With Gettysburg College, Daniel C. Scotto

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

There is a tablet in Gettysburg College’s Plank Gym, partially obscured by trash bags and stacks of materials and boxes, that reads, “THIS TABLET IS PLACED IN AFFECTIONATE MEMORY OF GEORGE CROLL BAUM, A.M., B.A., THE ARCHITECT OF THIS BUILDING, BY A GRATEFUL ALMA MATER.” These commemorative tablets are not rare at Gettysburg. In the same room as Baum’s tablet is one for Eddie Plank, the famed deadball-era hurler for the Philadelphia Athletics and member of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Across the campus, there are tablets commemorating graduating classes, historic moments, and historic people. One could ask …

An Astronomical Account: A History Of Hatter Planetarium From 1966-2006, Jonathan D. Neu

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

When most individuals stare up at the vast dome of Hatter Planetarium, they often gaze upon the projected stars appearing on its surface, listening to an astronomical story told by one of its operators. However, there is a second story told by the planetarium itself. This story is the history of Hatter Planetarium, which spans five decades and includes the events in the lives of several individuals who have played a critical role in its existence at Gettysburg College. Its history has encompassed several phases of Gettysburg College traditions but is in danger of passing permanently and fixedly into the …

Rocks In Gettysburg College History, Harold J. Stevens

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

The glittering stones fill the cases in the lower lobby of the science center. Each one is has a tag saying where it was collected and what kind of rock formation it is. The cases themselves add to the feeling of being in a museum. Each rock is in pristine order and in good condition, very professional. While it is still not the most noticed of all collections on campus (located as it is on the bottom floor of the Science Center), it is still more obvious than it was just a few years ago. The rock collection is actually …

Musselman Display Case, Kara J. Sharkey

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

The Gettysburg College campus without the influence of the Musselman family would be a very different place. The Musselman name is not one that can be easily overlooked on campus, as numerous buildings are named after the famous apple processing family located in Biglerville, Pa. Yet without the generosity of the Musselman and the Emma G. Musselman foundation, the college would not only be lacking Musselman Stadium, Musselman Hall, and Musselman Library, but also the Bream Wright Hauser Field House, and thousands of dollars in scholarships awarded to students over the past several years. The Musselmans have undoubtedly left a …

The Life And Impact Of Daniel Alexander Payne, Brian A. Vazzano

Hidden in Plain Sight Projects

On Washington Street, across from McKnight Hall and adjacent to the Intercultural Resource Center, a sign stands in commemoration of the life and accomplishments of an African American who studied at the seminary from 1835 to 1837. The plaque reads: Daniel Alexander Payne (1811-1893). Born a free African American. He taught the colored people at this college, 1837, while a student at the Lutheran Seminary. A historian, he was elected bishop of the AME Church, 1852, and was president of Wilberforce University, 1863-76. What Payne was able to achieve in his life is matched by few of his contemporaries …

Ms-070: Papers Of Philip M. Biklé And Family, Nicole M. Lenart

All Finding Aids

The papers of Philip Biklé consist of mostly personal correspondence between Biklé and Emma, and the correspondence of Emma and their children. Also included are class notes from Biklé’s years as a student, and account books from the Lutheran Quarterly and Pennsylvania College Monthly. This collection does not include any information on Biklé’s publications, the classes he taught, or his work as a professor and dean.

Special Collections and College Archives Finding Aids are discovery tools used to describe and provide access to our holdings. Finding aids include historical and biographical information about each collection in addition to inventories of …

Ms-080: The Francis A. Shearer Collection, Amy Sanderson

All Finding Aids

The collection consists of memorabilia of Francis A. Shearer from his college days at Gettysburg College.

Special Collections and College Archives Finding Aids are discovery tools used to describe and provide access to our holdings. Finding aids include historical and biographical information about each collection in addition to inventories of their content. More information about our collections can be found on our website http://www.gettysburg.edu/special_collections/collections/.

To Waken Fond Memory: Moments In The History Of Gettysburg College, Anna Jane Moyer

Gettysburg College Faculty Books

Between 1975 and 1989 Anna Jane Moyer produced a series of essays for the Gettysburg College alumni magazine capturing “moments” on campus and in the town of Gettysburg since 1832. Treating people, places, and notable events over the course of the College’s first 150 years, Moyer’s sketches reached an appreciative audience at the time. But with the Gettysburg College 175th anniversary approaching, it seemed appropriate to make her writing more readily available to alumni, friends of the College, students, and scholars.

The sketches now republished in To Waken Fond Memory remind readers that the culture of a liberal arts college …