Subject Areas - College Related Documents: Sources in Special Collections

Books, pamphlets, and other published materials:
Check MUSCAT  for Special Collections' holdings. Our stacks are closed so you must make your requests at the reference desk in our Reading Room.  In most cases, our copies are rare and/or first edition, but there may be a second copy in the main stacks that can circulate.  We also keep complete copies of past Spectrums, Faculty Meeting Minutes, Course Catalogues, and Alumni Records in our Reading Room. For more generic items regarding college history and student life, see the subject area: College History.

Selected Vertical File Manuscript (VFM) Collections:
A collection of miscellaneous files relating to the specific history of Gettysburg College. These documents are often legally prepared, and intended to prove something. These are more specific than College History in that they denote an official record or legal document.

Alumni Association Minutes. A manuscript containing the constitution, minutes, and members of the Alumni Association, 1835-1903. MS-135 pages. VFM-4

Alumni Association Obituary Committee. Reports on the deaths of 12 individuals and their information. 7 June 1911. MS-13 pages. VFM-4(a)

Alumni Association of Baltimore.  Collection of materials from the Baltimore Alumni Club, including correspondence, meeting minutes, treasurer's reports, invitations and programs, 1945 - 1952.  MS-137pp.  VFM-317

Alumni Association Treasurer's Records. Book containing records of dues paid and by whom; several loose checks and receipts from the association. 1842-1912. MS-84 bound and 22 loose pages. VFM-5 

Alumni Professorship. Minutes and documents describing the alumni professorship and controversy surrounding it. 1858-1902. MS-125+ pp. VFM-6

Athenaeum Society. Two treasurer's books from 1839-1853 and 1851-1852. AMs. VFM-9.

Bible Society of Theological Seminary and Pennsylvania College. Treasurer's book from 1850-1859. MS-64pp. VFM-16.

Bikle, Philip M. "Lutheran Quarterly" subscription accounts. One ledger, beginning in 1880 containing subscriptions and payments. MS-489pp. VFM-18.

Building Committee - Pennsylvania Hall. Several correspondences and estimates regarding the attainment of land and the building of College Edifice. 1835 - 1843. MS-53pp. VFM-26.

Building Committee- Steven's Hall and Professor's Residence. Correspondences, proposals, and estimates for the building and land of Steven's Hall. 1865-1869. MS-23pp. VFM-27.

Building Committee- White House. Several reports from the Board of Trustees on the status of the house of the president. 1859-1861. MS-5pp. VFM-28.

Charter and Amendments. Six amendments to the charter of Gettysburg College. All original, legal documents. 1867-1964. TDS-54pp. VFM-30.

Education Programs. Competency study for Teacher-Education programs. Breaks down the curriculum into necessary skills and how to test for them. Made specifically for Gettysburg College. 25 May 1972. D-124pp. VFM-181.

Executive Committee. Minutes for the Board of Trustees of PA College 1874-1876. AmsS-7pp. VFM-46.

Faculty Reports to the Board of Trustees. Reports on the condition of the college from the faculty. 1834-1879. AMs-198pp. VFM-47.

Fay, Christopher and Herman (Ted) Collier IV. Class of 2005. Political Science papers prepared for the Pennsylvania Political Science Association Annual Meeting on April 1-2, 2005. Papers written on the topic "Theory Illuminates Practice: American Political Thought and American Political Behavior." MS-42pp. VFM-283.

Finance Committee. Reports, receipts, and expenditures from the finance committee of Gettysburg College. 1867-1871 and 1876-1878. AD-15pp. VFM-48.

Freed, Edwin D. Detailed list of expenses from his years at Gettysburg College broken down by class year. 11 Sept 1939- 21 April 1943. MS-23pp. VFM-185.

Gerhardt, L.D. Register of visitors to the observatory of PA College 1882-1916. Also contains treasurer's records. MS-384. VFM-56.

Gettysburg College - Endowment Fund. Receipt for payment of Alumni Professorship gift. 2 July 1878. D-1pp. VFM-57.

Gettysburg College - Misc. business 1840-1870. Numerous papers from the college including receipts, bills, invitations, and commencement rosters. D-40+ pp. VFM-58.

Gettysburg College- Misc. Business 1880-1890's. Many documents including: final examinations, loan documents, several correspondences with the New England Loan and Trust Company, and several with college professors. DS-92+ pp. VFM-59.

Gettysburg College - Misc. finances ca.1912. Letter requesting financial support for the College on Pennsylvania College letterhead. TL-1p.  VFM-215 

Glatfelter Hall - Proposal for Renovations, February 26, 1929. Letter to President Henry W. A. Hanson dated February 26, 1929. Proposal for the renovations to Glatfelter hall from J.A. Dempwolf. Estimated cost sheet for alterations and additions to Glatfelter hall by John B. Hamme. TLS-8pp. VFM-303

Gymnasium - Record Book. Bound book containing gymnasium records from 1829-1851. MS-86+pp. VFM-65.

House Rules. Office of the Dean of Women, ca. 1954. Official notice, presumably attached to a bulletin board. D-1pg. VFM-262.

Junior Examination in Latin.  Pennsylvania College, May 12, 1888, 8-10 a.m.  Eight copies of an examination covering Juvenal's fifth and tenth satires, broken into four parts.  Questions ask to translate passages or write short answers pertaining to the two different works of literature.  D-8pp.  VFM-324.

McCreary Gymnasium Association. Constitution of the Association founded 16 Oct 1872. Includes By-Laws, Constitution, and Amendments. DS-20+ pp. VFM-97.

Myers, W.H. Class of 1959. Report Card. MS-1pp. VFM-278.

Pennsylvania College Aid Association. Constitution, Roll, Minutes, and Treasury statements from the association, bound in one book. 1905-1924. AMs-152pp. VFM-113.

Permanent Scholarships. Eight permanent scholarships to students presented by PA College 1853-1861. Also 4 receipts for people who purchased scholarships in the school. DS-12pp. VFM-114.

President's Report. President Valentine's report on the condition of the college. 25 June 1873. ALS-9pp. VFM-118.

Radio Club. Constitution, Members, By-laws, minutes, financial accounts, and dues recorded for the Radio Club of Gettysburg College. 1925-1928. MS-300pp. VFM-119.

Reagan, Ronald and Fred F. Fielding. Letter from Ronald Reagan and Fred F. Fielding (counsel to the president) to Gettysburg College in honor of its 150^th birthday celebration. TLS-2pp. VFM-301

Record of Absences from Prayers. Three books containing alphabetical listings of students and their required morning prayers at Gettysburg College. 1854-1862. 1865-1874. 1877-1886. MS-428pp. VFM-120.

Repair Committee. Documents and reports attesting to repairs made to college buildings and estimates for costs of future improvements. AMs-6pp. VFM-121.

Sanders, Charles F. Professor of Philosophy. Gettysburg College Orientation Syllabus for 1935-1936. Extensive list of topics from reading to philosophical discussions. MS-55pp. VFM-286.

Schmucker Art Gallery and Department of Visual Arts Lecture.  Poster for the lecture A Hidden Picasso, An Exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao by Will Shank, Artist Conservator and Independent Curator, 3 November 2005.  Poster is autographed by Will Shank.  1pp. VFM-316 (oversized) 

Scientific Department. Several documents showing the financial and educational status of the Science Department of PA College. 1865-1872. ADS-3pp. VFM-127.

Shirk, D.C. Class of 1927. Tuition payment receipts for 1922-1925. MS-6pp. VFM-279.

Staff Employee Classification System. Two booklets and memos informing the faculty of an employee classification system, as developed in 1980. D-32pp. VFM-138.

Standing Resolutions for the Faculty. Book containing resolutions adopted by the faculty of PA College in 1875. D-94pp. VFM-139.

Stemen, John Roger. Letters from Stephen Warner, Class of 1968. 11 Aug 1969 - 12 Oct 1970. TLS-11pp. Also includes publications by the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors (of the Vietnam War). VFM-208.

Sternat, Theodore M. Class of 1934. Manuscript for "Laboratory of Physical Chemistry" written by professor of Chemistry, Charles A. Sloat. Written in August 1930. Includes experiments, graphs, data, notes, and equations. MS-89pp. VFM-287.

Student Conduct Pledge. Signatures of PA College Students from 1833-1848 who agree to follow the pledge. Also includes a final exam schedule for 1832 and 1833. DS-18pp. VFM-146.

Theatre Arts Department.  Costume Sketches for Gettysburg College theatre department productions.  Ills-1pp.  VFM-318 (oversized)

Thornburgh, Dick. Letter to Gettysburg College from Governor Dick Thornburgh 1982 celebrating the College's 150^th birthday. TLS pp.1 VFM-300

Trautwine, John Cresson. Architect of "Old Dorm." at Gettysburg College. Collection includes several pieces of correspondence, drawings, articles, and photographs. VFM-156

Warner Committee Papers. The committee, formed largely through Professor John Roger Stemen's efforts in 1972, intended to encourage a spirit of debate and intellectualism within the Gettysburg College community. Includes materials on the "Warner Forum," which were panel talks that addressed popular issues, as well as renovation proposals to the College Union Building. Correspondence also comprises this small collection: 8 June 1972 - 18 Apr 1978. TLS- 24pp. MS-052

Weidensall floor plans. Plans drawn up by David Lynch & Associates, Architects. MS-7 pp. Location: College History VFM-231