History and Timeline
View a brief history of Alvernia University and a listing of major events.
Remembrance of Things Past
Brief trips down Alvernia's memory lane. During the 50th anniversary celebration of Alvernia University (2008-2009), the Archives produced a series of newsletters highlighting milestone events from the university's past. These bits of nostalgia were meant to provide some history, memories, and smiles. To review them, click below.
Virtual Exhibits
Electronic exhibits prepared especially for our Web site visitors. Virtual exhibits are electronic compilations of historical materials from the University Archives in honor of significant events at Alvernia.
Early aerial photographs of Alvernia College.
Designed to Serve
In 2008, Sister Pacelli Staskiel OSF published Designed to Serve: The Places and Persons of Francis Hall, a history of Francis Hall which is the historic foundation building of Alvernia University and still part of campus activities. Francis Hall has a rich heritage that is connected both to the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters and to the history of Berks County.
This exhibit presents several unpublished photographs of Francis Hall from its pre-Alvernia days when it served as an orphanage, a school for young women entering religious life, and a high school.