Delaware Valley University Archives

The DelVal Archives is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $5,000 Historical & Archival Records Care (HARC) Grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC). The grant will be used to digitize most of the Archives’ audiovisual (AV) collection and to purchase materials and equipment to ensure the long-term preservation of the original recording media. Among the items to be digitized are cassette tapes of interviews with alumni, DVDs of Commencement ceremonies, and VHS cassettes of interviews and campus events. Work is set to begin in May when the items will be sent to a facility specializing in AV digitization. In addition to long-term preservation, another goal of this project is to make the digitized recordings publicly available.  Below is a photo of some of the items to be digitized with the grant.

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) approved 28 HARC grants totaling $152,571 to support crucial efforts to preserve Pennsylvania’s invaluable historical records and make them accessible to residents across the Commonwealth.

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.