Although now it is one of The Pennsylvania State University's Commonwealth Campuses, Mont Alto's history begins in the 1800s with the nearby Iron Works and continues through the creation of the Pennsylvania State Forest Academy and eventual transition into the campus we see today.
On the 2nd floor of the library, we are currently featuring an exhibit displaying artifacts and documents from our campus' history. Scroll through this virtual tour for a preview and then view it in person when you can do so safely.
Emmanuel Chapel
Built near the site of the Mont Alto Iron Works in 1854, the Emmanuel Chapel was purchased by Penn State in 1992. The selection of items on display include two photos of the Chapel (1905 and 1960), a written history, and an 1853 Bible.
The Bible may have been in the Chapel when John Brown, the American abolitionist, is rumored to have visited in the days leading to his raid on Harper's Ferry.
Military Involvement
From its days as a Forestry School, Mont Alto students and faculty have been engaged in the military. Most of the items on display date from World Wars I and II. Campus was closed from 1943-September 1946 due to the number of faculty and students who had enlisted in the Armed Services.
- The 1943 Sylvan shows how the war effort touched all aspects of life –from the materials required to make the publication to the dwindling numbers of individuals in the programs - and concludes with letters written from foresters turned service members.
- The 1920 Oak Leaf was dedicated to Andrew Lewis M. AuWerter, a member of the Class of 1919, who was killed in action in 1918.
- An Honor Roll: Penn State-Mont Alto Foresters Who Gave Their Lives in World Wars I & II.
- The May 1956 issue of The Seedling has a brief article written about campus ROTC and 40 years later, in 1991, the program was still going strong, as demonstrated by photographs on display.
You can view the yearbooks online here
Student Voices
Students at Mont Alto have always expressed their opinions and actively engaged with local and national events.
- In 1929, it was announced that the Forest Academy would merge with the Pennsylvania State College (now University). Students opposed this plan and held an “Indignation Meet” to protest – parading vehicles through Waynesboro and Chambersburg and even hanging effigies of two state officials out of the windows of Conklin Hall. After the rally, the students were required to write and sign a letter of apology.
- A 1954 issue of The Seedling published a list of “Suggested Improvements” for the campus - including a library.
- After the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., The Altimeter, the student-run newsletter of the ‘60s and ‘70s, published two pieces reflecting on MLK's life and disavowing the actions of some students on campus.
- The Road Apple, a student publication from the ‘80s, published this page in 1987 highlighting job hunting errors and drawing attention to Female Awareness Month (perhaps a play on Women’s History Month).
- As evidenced by a 2004 survey in The Fourth Wall, many students were keeping an eye on national and local politics.
Dance Cards
Through the 1950s, students from Mont Alto and the all-female Wilson College would gather for dances. Dance cards, as seen here, would have been used by the women to keep track of songs, dances, and the person with whom they planned to dance.
Clockwise from the back left:
- Annual Fall Masquerade Dance, given by the Rothrock Forestry Club – October 30th, 1925 (Handwritten note inside: I’ve thought about what to write in this little book but somehow I can [sic] think tonight. I will say that if I ever do forget the little town of Mt. Alto I will never forget the F. Academy and you. -Betty)
- Annual Fall Masquerade Dance, given by The Rothrock Forestry Club – November 7th, 1924
- Annual Spring Dance, Pennsylvania State Forest Academy –May 12th, 1922
- Commencement Dance, Pennsylvania State Forest School, Class of 1929 –June 12th, 1929
Ralph Brock
Ralph Brock was a member of the inaugural 1906 class of the Pennsylvania State Forest Academy and the first Black forester in the nation. From 1906-1911, he served as the Mont Alto Nursery Superintendent.
He received this check as reimbursement for paying the medical expenses of an injured nursery employee. (Nearly $40 today.)
Glass Artifacts
During construction of the Allied Health building in the Fall of 2020, workers uncovered an assortment of glass materials, most of which are likely from the first third of the 20th century.
Seen here:
- Lydia E. Pinkham’s Medicine: Herbal medicine used by women
- Ed. Pinaud: Aftershave or perfume
- Lea & Perrin’s Worcestershire Sauce
- Mazda lightbulb: Used from 1909-1945 in the United States
- Listerine
And below, an example from the Manhattan Bottling Company, bottled in Mont Alto itself. Click here for more information.