>Ft. Leavenworth K.T. [Kansas Territory] May 30th 1858 My Dear Parents Tomorrow we will take up our line of march and although I have a great deal to do I take the advantage of a few moments leisure to write you a few lines… So begins a letter from George Ryan (signed Your aff son) Read More

Let’s turn our sights backwards 100 years to celebrate the (belated) centennial anniversary of Catholic University of America’s class of 1925– a campus known affectionally then as “The Big U”. Campus looks quite different now– several buildings erected in the earliest days of the University have since become obsolete memories, new buildings have risen, and Read More

The guest author, Lara Loutfi, is a graduate student in Library and Information Science at Catholic University who did practicum work with the CU Special Collections in the Fall 2025 semester.  I have been working in Special Collections at the Catholic University of America for about a year now. But this semester, I had the Read More

The guest author, Quincy Ryan, is a graduate student in Library and Information Science at Simmons College who worked with the CU Special Collections this semester as a practicum student. This Fall, I had the opportunity to complete a practicum with the Special Collections at Catholic University of America, under the mentorship of William J. Read More

For more than a century, Catholic University has drawn remarkable individuals who have shaped its culture, inspired its students, and enriched its archives. The latest exhibit in the John K. Mullen of Denver Library’s May Gallery celebrates a sample of the luminaries who have led with light in their fields and in their lives. This Read More

“The wonder of sound! I believe the most distinctive, the most telling facet of any actor’s ability is the way he sounds. What sound is there in him that strikes the fire in us?…[sound] paints the picture, tells us the whole story of the person who is making the sound.” -Mercedes McCambridge, The Quality of Read More

“My CU experience helped me the most…They taught me how to work together with a team for success. I found that, in doing this, you don’t think of yourself and feel that people are just watching you.” – Catholic University Alumnus, Volume 18, no. 2 (Winter 1955) Born on March 6, 1930 as Mary Jane Read More

Special Collections, which includes Rare Books, had another highly successful year of notable and carefully considered rare book acquisitions via purchase, with eight items from three national and four international professional vendors, including Italy, France, and the Netherlands.  Four of the recent arrivals are discussed in detail below, while space issues result in two others related Read More

Working in Special Collections is a joy, but it is not without its terrors. The persistent challenge of preserving collections for long-term access requires vigilance, patience, and the courage to face entropy each and every day. This semester – just in time for Halloween – you can experience some of the chills that archivists face Read More

This week’s guest blogger is Alexander Sanfilippo-Scherer, Alumnus Classical Studies Major, Class of 2025, and a budding numismatist. He has completed multiple research experiences and an internship with the CUA Special Collections. .  What can a simple coin tell us about the past? Ancient Coins can reveal many things to many different people. People that Read More