Penn State Mont Alto Library

01/22/2026

2016, huh? How about 1926? This photo was taken on January 15th, 1926 during the ceremony to lay the cornerstone for General Studies. Colonel Shoemaker, of the Pennsylvania State Forest Commission did the the honors.

According to the January 22nd Birch Log (a student-run publication):
"The skies which had threatened all day, and which has sent down a heavy flurry of snow at 2 o'clock, fortunately cleared shortly before the opening of the exercises. ...The ceremony was opened fittingly with prayer by the Rev. Dr. J. M. Francis, pastor of the Trinity Lutheran Church, Waynesboro. After the singing of America by the assembly, a letter from Miss Myra L. Dock, formerly a member of the Forest Commission, was read by Mr. Geo. H. Wirt, Chief Forest Fire Warden, and first Director of the School. After a short address by E. Alan Smith '26, representing the Student Body, Mr. Walter D. Ludwig '10, spoke in behalf of the Alumni Association. Dr. Ziegler then addressed the company. ...The speaker of the day was Col. Shoemaker. The personal touch of his talk, which dwelt on the history of Forestry Development, added to its charm. After the deposition of a copper box in the cornerstone by Col. Shoemaker, the ceremony was closed with the singing of the Alma Mater by the students and graduates. ...Many Foresters, representatives of organizations in the surrounding towns and other friends of the School attended. Shortly after the conclusion of the exercises the skies again lowered and snow fell."

12/18/2025

Any history buffs in the feed? You might enjoy this website on the history of some of the campus buildings!

“A history of the Pennsylvania State Forest School, 1903-1929,” written by former Penn State Mont Alto librarian Elizabeth Thomas, provides in-depth details about the 1903 founding of the Pennsylvania State Forest Academy through the merger with Penn State in 1929. With a combination of informat...

11/25/2025

11/10/2025

I love a good bird’s-eye view of campus; it’s always amazing to see how much has changed (roads, trees, entire buildings!) and how much has stayed the same.

Most of these are from the late-1920s through the 1930s; one is from 1960; a couple are from just this year.

11/06/2025

These fall days have a special glow

11/03/2025

Exactly 100 years ago, groundbreaking exercises were held to build a brand new building on campus. Over the two years it took to construct it, there was debate over its name, with some people wishing to call it Rothrock Hall. Instead, it would initially be known simply as, "New Building" and then eventually, "Science Hall."

Once SciTech was built, it was renamed yet again to the ever-exciting, "General Studies Building."

Students were keeping tabs on its building throughout the entire process, publishing floor plans and releasing information in their student newsletter, "The Birch Log."

- Oct. 16, 1925: Official groundbreaking ceremony
- Jan. 15, 1926: Ceremony for laying of cornerstone
- March 10, 1927: Dedication ceremony
- Fall 1927: Building finally used for courses and can fit entire student body

08/18/2025

The library’s final archives display is completed and viewable either in-person or digitally.

As you might expect, this final display has a slightly different focus and tone than prior iterations. As always, please feel free to share far and wide.

Additionally, if you have any comments or suggestions, I welcome them. (As a note, the website that hosts digitized copies of The Record Herald seems to be down. Fingers crossed it comes back up soon!)

A story told with Adobe Express

05/09/2025

04/26/2025

The bright pink of this tulip caught my attention and the overall vibe is a combination of some of my favorite things: flowers, rocks, campus history. 🌷🪨🌳

The plaque reads:
“In 1903, on this site was established the State Forest Academy, the first institution in the Commonwealth to offer technical instruction leading to a degree in forestry. Founded largely through the efforts of Joseph Trimble Rothrock, Commissioner of Forestry, with the support of the Pennsylvania Forestry Assoc., it educated foresters to manage the state forests and forest resources. In 1920, the Academy was renamed the Pennsylvania State Forest School and, in 1929, it was merged with the Pennsylvania State College Department of Forestry.

During its independent existence, the School contributed 243 graduates to the forestry profession. Their careers notably advanced the practice of forestry throughout the nation - in public and private forest administration, in teaching and research, and in related fields of natural resource management.

Commemorated by the Penn State-Mont Alto Forestry Alumni Association
June 21, 1973”

03/29/2025

Repping the library for Mont Alto’s Accepted Student Day!

It’s so great to see so many families here, ready to get started in the fall!

03/10/2025

We'll be open for spring break this week during the following hours:

Mon-Fri 8-4:30
Closed Sat
Sun 3-8

12/23/2024

Enjoy the break, everyone, but should you need anything before next semester starts, you can find us during the following days/times:
Today, 12/23: 8-4:30
12/24-1/1: closed
1/2-1/3 and 1/6-1/10: 8-4:30
Closed weekends