The Provincial Archives will be closed December 24 and 25. We will re-open on the 26th.

As 2014 approaches, we’re stepping back to take a look at some of the events and activities that have shaped our first year as the newly-merged Provincial Archives. We’re sharing some of these in a series of posts on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/dcarchives) which began on December 22. Parts 3 and 4 of our series will publish on the 24th and 25th, so we’ll be online “in spirit” even though the office will be closed. Then, on Dec. 31, look for a special surprise here on the blog.

Thank you for your support and your interest in the collections and activities of the Provincial Archives.

Provincial Archives staff

As our holiday greeting this year, the staff of the Daughters of Charity Provincial Archives decided to share some of our personal favorite items housed in our repository. Seated in front is Mary Anne Weatherly behind one of the art works owned by Elizabeth Ann Seton, Mater dolorosa, and Sr. Joan Angermaier who holds a letter she transcribed, one of 214 written between 1865 and 1904 by French Jesuit and Civil War chaplain Louis Gache to Sister Loyola Law. Standing (from the left) is Dee Gallo holding several histories of Sisters of Charity congregations, commemorating the new Federation Archivists initiative; Selin James with a sketch of the Sisters of St. Joseph’s property rendered in 1818 by Elizabeth Ann Seton’s spiritual mentor Rev. Simon Bruté; Sr. Rosa Lee Kramer holding several of the hundreds of photographs she processed from the collection of the former Albany province; Nik Henle displaying the 1955 site plan of St. Joseph-Gonzaga Home in Philadelphia; Carole Prietto with a letter dated April of 1896 from Sr. Mary Thomas Stockum, one of the four Daughters who started the Hansen’s Disease hospital at Carville, LA; and Bonnie Weatherly, holding one of the many Elizabeth Ann Seton autograph letters she has transcribed. From all of us in the Provincial Archives, sincere wishes for a meaningful Christmas and a bountiful 2014.