Delaware Valley University Archives

The sousaphone is back! Long on display in the lobby of the library, the National Farm School sousaphone has been returned to its rightful place. The instrument was removed for storage during the library's summer 2024 renovation.

The sousaphone was manufactured by C.G. Conn Ltd. of Elkhart, Indiana. The company, founded by Civil War veteran Charles G. Conn in 1876, was a major figure in the manufacture of brass musical instruments in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The National Farm School band was organized in 1929 and funded through gifts and donations. More than likely, the library's sousaphone is one of the original instruments from the 1929 band, pictured in the photo below.  "National Farm School" is stamped on the back of the bell along with the stamp of C. G. Conn. In the photo* on the lower right Mortimer Zwaaf, NFS Class of 1930, is pictured with a sousaphone. Zwaaf studied Horticulture and was a charter member of the band; he is to the far left in the second row of the band picture.

*The photo of Mortimer Zwaaf was part of a recent gift to the Archives from Joel Spivak of publications, photos, and memorabilia collected by his father, NFS alum Phil Spivak '32, and his uncle, Dan Spevak '37 also a NFS alum.

Housed in the Joseph Krauskopf Memorial Library, the mission of the Delaware Valley University Archives is to collect, preserve, and make accessible materials that record the history of the university.  The collections highlight the activities of the university’s founder, students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, and benefactors.  In support of the university’s teaching mission, the archives works closely with faculty to provide students opportunities to appreciate the research value of archival materials while learning about Delaware Valley University’s unique history.

In 1896, Dr. Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf opened the National Farm School in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Inspired by discussions with Leo Tolstoy, Krauskopf hoped to train Jewish immigrants in the United States as farmers. The school emphasized "science with practice."   

The school underwent several name changes through the years:

National Agricultural College in 1948

Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture in 1960

Delaware Valley University in 2015

By the winding banks of Neshaminy, 
Stands our Alma Mater dear. 
We look o'er your fields we love, 
Cherished year by year. 
All hail your colors, Green and Gold, 
As they proudly wave on high. 
Treasured mem'ries fond and true
In our hearts will lie. 

With your inspiration great, 
Ever forward we will go, 
Fearless of the tasks ahead, 
Conquering each foe. 
To you, our college, let us sing
Praises of your honored name. 
Courage, strength and unity, 
Build an endless fame.