Week 7 LCHS

It is almost the end of October and I have continued cataloging artifacts from the Welles Collection at the museum. Notably, I came across a small booklet that I feel anyone, especially mineralogists, would find interesting. The short, small booklet written by Maynard Bixby, one of Edward Welles’ cousins, contains information about certain minerals located in Utah and various localities. Maynard Bixby was born in Wyalusing, PA in 1853. His parents were George Bixby and Jane Welles; he was the eldest out of three children. He graduated from Lafayette College in 1876 and moved to Wilkes-Barre with his wife. Shortly after, Maynard became a bookkeeper and studied law. After some time being a bookkeeper, Maynard traveled around the US and worked in some mines. During that time, he was exposed to the vast number of minerals in different mines and locations.

Thus, in Maynard Bixby’s small booklet, he mentions one mineral named Topaz. He discovered topaz in Juab County, around the Thomas Mountain locality (nine miles north from the Detroit District). In the booklet, it describes the physical description of the mineral, as well as discussing the proper way to extract the mineral from the hillside and small gorges filled with sand. Furthermore, there were two minerals in the booklet that I found interesting, Tiemannite and Onofrite, located in the locality of Marysvale, in Piute County, Utah. Maynard Bixby wrote that Tiemannite could only be formed in Marysvale. This is not true, however, because there are records of Tiemannite located in Mexico. Nonetheless, Bixby did not state the reason to its location only in Marysvale. It is possible that the reason is because of the environment and or the components of the mineral. Two components of Tiemannite are mercury and selenide, HgSe. According to Bixby, he approximated that the largest recorded Tiemannite was one fourth of an inch. The other mineral, Onofrite, is described by Bixby as a mineral that is no longer available in Marysvale and is of no value.

I did some research on Onofrite and the mineral is quite unique. Onofrite is a mix of three chemicals: mercury, sulfur, and selenium. These three minerals form a slight metallic mineral with clusters of maroon and burgundy. Onofrite is a variation of the mineral, Metacinnabar, a HgS mineral that is malleable. Bixby stated in his booklet that the mineral can not be found in the Marysvale locality. However, I discovered that the mineral is located around the area. Overall, I am glad I came across this artifact in the collection because I had the opportunity to learn about exceptional minerals in the US.

The image can be found in Google images.

3 girls in McHale

A photograph I found in one of the archive folders labeled as “students”, shows three girls in a dorm room in McHale Hall. I was in awe because the rooms in McHale look exactly the way they do now! The picture shows three girls in the room sitting on the beds, and one is sitting at her desk. It was very interesting to see how their rooms were decorated because how simplicity. During my college experience, I am used to seeing girls’ rooms fully decked out in lights, tapestries, pillows, and other cute desk and table decor. In addition, a significant amount of their belongings looked homemade. For example, one of the girls had a knit pillow with very basic design. I made this conclusion because everything in the 70’s was loud and bold, and you probably would not find her pillow in a department store. I lived in McHale my freshman year back in 2014, and the picture was taken in 1979. Seeing this picture also brought up many memories of freshman year in McHale, which was such an open environment for everyone in the building. Just about every evening me and my roommates’ friends were constantly in each other’s rooms talking, or binge watching movies and T.V. shows!

3 girls in Mchale, 1979. University Photo Collection RG905, Sister Mary Carmel McGarigle Archives, Misericordia University, Dallas, PA.

Week 6 LCHS

I am still cataloging the Welles collection here at the Luzerne County Historical Society. This week, I came upon interesting information concerning to the Hollenback family, particularly Matthias Hollenback. Matthias Hollenback, born in 1752 and died in 1829, was the great-uncle of Stella (Hollenback) Welles. There is a document in the collection, written by one of Hollenback’s nieces or nephews, about the life of Matthias Hollenback. The document discusses about Hollenback’s time in the army, his settlement in Wilkes-Barre and his experience of the Wyoming Massacre. Hollenback came to the Wyoming Valley from Lebanon county in 1769, when he was a teenager. He became a merchant shortly after and settled in Wilkes-Barre around the public square. There Hollenback built his store that sold necessities, such as groceries and a home above it. The building was burned down shortly after the Wyoming Massacre. Afterwards, Hollenback would travel out of Pennsylvania and settle in other places. However, after a short time he missed the Wyoming Valley and returned.

Throughout most of his life, Matthias Hollenback had many encounters with Native Americans, some of the accounts unpleasant and others not. For instance, Hollenback discussed the events after the Wyoming Massacre and notes that while he was fleeing the battle, the Indians located him in the river and tried to kill him. Additionally, Hollenback came across Indians who robbed many individuals in the Wyoming Valley and attempted to stop them. On the other hand, Hollenback spoke of an instance at Seneca Lake, New York, where an experience with the Indians ended positively. Hollenback went to New York to establish a small number of stores near Seneca Lake and trade with the Indians. One day Hollenback and a group of other men went to Seneca Lake to make a trade for goods, however the Indians assumed that they planned to steal their land. Thus, the Indians took them prisoner and inspected their saddles. Hollenback stated that the Indians would have killed them if one of them had a compass. I thought this was interesting because I do not understand why the Indians would kill them for a compass. Nevertheless, Hollenback and the other men were let go after he explained to the Indian chief their peaceful intentions, which led to a fur-trade agreement. I am glad I came across this document because of its interesting account on the Wyoming Massacre and the quarrel with the Indians.

Female Pilots

While going through the archives I stumbled upon a newspaper article about women looking toward the sky. Two women from Misericordia were looking to get their airplane licenses and complete their flight hours. This was written in 1955, but what was neat was that five years later there was a photo taken of two women in front of an airplane with different names. This leads me to believe that even more women were striving to make flying their career. After some quick research, in 1960 only a little over 21,000 woman had other than student pilot certificates and even today 97% of pilots are men. I found these two items fascinating because at least four women from our school were making strides in breaking normal gender roles. They followed what they enjoyed doing and made a career for themselves. This makes me wonder how long these types of classes lasted and how many women successfully graduated from the program.

Women in Historical Research

After examining a yearbook from 1933, I found an image titled “Historical Research.” This image found in The Litany 1993 edition pictured College Misericordia students conducting research on political and social issues. I neglected to take a photo of this image; however, the image featured several students pictured in what appeared to be a library. The yearbook picture featured the students with serious facial expressions, dressed in modest clothing in the school library. The description below this image states that the Women in Historical research club analyzed post World War I political, economic, and social issues. The Historical Society examined issues such as war debt, its direct and indirect impacts on the United States, and the troubling economic times. Other worldly concerns the club researched included the Catholic attitude toward Mexico, and the Japanese. I would be interested in examining the works and publications of this group. Researching the references used, the time-frame of their research, and the impact on their findings on the College Misericordia and Dallas communities, would also be interesting to study. I would also like to know the angle of their research; for example, if they expressed bias towards a group or policy.

Map of College Misericordia 1964

Map of College Misericordia (1964), in Miss Recordia (September 1964). CMA 830 Box 3 (1965-1983) Newspaper, Sister Mary Carmel McGarigle University Archives, Misericordia University, Dallas, PA

This image was feature in the Miss Recordia newspaper’s September 1964 edition. This map and partially cut off directory of College Misericordia, provides a visual representation of the college for new and returning students. Buildings featured in this image include the Administration building, McAuley Hall, Walsh Auditorium, Merrick Hall, Alumnae Hall, the Science building, and McGann Hall. Classes took place in the Administration and Science buildings. The library, post office, various offices, the Chapel, the switchboard, and faculty lounge could all be found in the Administration building. McAuley hall contained the Infirmary, the Gymnasium, the Alumnae office, and the Dean of Residents’ office.  I would like to examine when and why the names of certain buildings were changed. Another factor worth researching is why and when McGann and Merrick Hall were demolished. I would also like to research the dates of renovations for buildings which still exist, and how the expansion of the University impacted the directory of the campus. After living in Alumnae Hall my first year at Misericordia, I would like to know the original design and elevation of the building, since it has experienced changes to the landscape due to weathering and renovations.

 

Misericordia’s Silver Jubilee

During my service project, I found a beautifully written letter from President Truman to College Misericordia in the Silver Jubilee Brochure written in 1950. It marked the twenty-fifth anniversary or “silver jubilee” of Misericordia. I was very impressed and interested that President Truman was aware of a small Northeastern Pennsylvania college, recognized its place in the realm of education and took the time to write an eloquent letter. The twenty-fifth anniversary was an important mile stone and President Truman graciously acknowledged and congratulated College Misericordia. I was also interested to read that it was addressed to Sister Annunciata who had a PhD, which indicates a high level of education especially in 1950. She was a Sister of Mercy who was obviously intelligent and a leader and forward thinking because as a female, became the head of the institution.

As a history major, I enjoyed reading about Misericordia’s past and seeing how we have evolved and grown from a college to a university. In 1950, the school had a very small graduating class. I also enjoyed the surprise of finding a prominent historical figure on the first page of Misericordia’s Silver Jubilee Brochure yearbook. The letter and photograph made me, as a student of the university, proud of our position in education. I felt as though I was on a history treasure hunt and I enjoyed the process.

The letter was eloquently written and President Truman opened by saying that it would be a proud year for the college and would be memorable for many reasons. As quoted, Truman said, the college had “modest beginnings” and all should “focus attention upon the great contributions which the institution has made to higher education.” He further said that he hoped the college “will ever go forward with progress.” I was touched by his letter.

 

“The White House Washington,” College Misericordia: Silver Jubilee Brochure (16 May 1950), College Misericordia Yearbooks RG 820, Misericordia University Special Collections, Dallas, PA.

 

 

 

Engagement Announcements

One of the most interesting things I saw while going through all of the archived newspapers was the announcements that the paper made. One of the interesting sections of the newspaper was the spot where they focused on the seniors. A lot of papers would post about where the seniors might be going after graduation, but the Miss. Recordia posted about what the seniors did each weekend or trips they took. I thought it was very interesting that the paper would post about what other schools students had gone to visit over the weekend and other activities. It’s amazing that this campus was once so small that it could post things such as this in the newspaper. I also thought it was interesting how they would post death announcements of previous students who had left the school. Also, it was really interesting how they posted about engagements. Was it because of the size of the campus that they could post things such as this in the paper? Now we would never be able to post any of these things due to the fact that it is not really considered news.

Sister and Communism

I found a compilation of newspaper articles dating from the years 1949 to 1955. The article that interested me most was about Sister Mercita Reginata C.S.B. who traveled from a Communist country to further her education at College Misericordia. The title was Sister Speaks on Russian Life. I was so impressed that Sister Mercita came from a difficult situation, a Communist country, she survived, persevered and valued education so much that she made her nursing the focus of her life. I went to an international high school with students from Vietnam, Rwanda and Kosovo and I always admired their strength when I heard their individual stories about their struggles.

Sister Mercita described her hardship at ten years old when her father, because he was a politician, was sent to a prison camp. She and her brothers and sisters were also sent to a prison camp in Siberia that was ironically called “Home.” They were being indoctrinated to not believe in God and Sister Mercita led a protest, because she was being taught “false doctrine.” She was severely punished and put in a frozen room without food, water or clothing for twenty-four hours. She barely survived. But in 1942, she fled Communism and joined the Bernadine Sisters in 1947. In 1949, she furthered her education as a nursing student at College Misericordia.

At the end of the article, Sister Mercita Reginata expressed how wonderful American freedoms are. It made me realize how fortunate we are to be educated and to have religious freedom, and how much we take for granted in the United States.

 

“Sister Speaks on Russian Life,” Miss Recordia (November 1949 – May 1955). University Newspaper Collections RG 830, Misericordia University Special Collections, Dallas, PA.

May Day 1942- College Misericordia

Miss Recordia 1942. May Day Celebration. University Newspaper Collection, CMA 830 Box 1 (1931-1949) Newspaper. Sister Mary Carmel McGarigle University Archives, Misericordia University, Dallas, PA

This image was featured in the 1942 May edition of the Miss Recordia newspaper. The May Day celebration featured in this image displays the May Day Queen, Katherine Kirchner and her May Day Attendants, Frances McCann and Eudenia Zaleta. May Day celebrations in North America carried the tradition of crowning the Queen of May. In this image, the May Day Queen wears a white gown and a flower gown to symbolize purity. The picture was taken on the front lawn of Mercy. In the background lies the statue Mary and the American flag. Behind the May Day Queen, we see an altar decorated in floral arrangements. Each participant in the May Day festivities is wearing a light colored, or floral gown, and is holding a bouquet of flowers. The only women not holding a floral bouquet are the May Day Queen Attendants, Ms. McCann and Ms. Zaleta. Most of the participants are wearing a floral headpiece. The gowns are all floor length and have sleeves of varying lengths. May Day celebrations throughout Europe, specifically in Great Britain, were celebrated to welcome springtime fertility. Many of the Miss Recordia papers I examined show images of May Day celebrations and portraits of the May Day Queen. An interest of mine would be researching the specific practices of the May Day Celebration at College Misericordia. I’d research how and who started the celebration of May Day and for how many years was it celebrated. Additional factors I would research include: who was in the running for May Day Queen, how the Queen and Attendants were chosen, what were the duties of the Queen and the Attendants, and how long the preparation period for the celebration was.

css.php