Browse Exhibits (28 total)
Monsignor Johannes Quasten
A pillar of the Catholic University community and distinguished patristics scholar, Johannes Quasten made his mark in teaching, writing, and archaeology. Msgr. Quasten traveled the world doing research into early Christian history and he wrote numerous articles, reviews, and books that established his expertise in the field. Not only was Msgr. Quasten an accomplished scholar, but also served as a mentor to the academics and seminarians who passed through the halls of The Catholic University of America, where he served as Dean of the School of Theology and Religious Studies from 1945 to 1949.
Upon This Granite Block
I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
– Matthew 16:18 (New American Standard Bible)
The title of this exhibit alludes to the famous Bible verse in which Jesus proclaims, "upon this rock I will build My church." Of course Jesus was speaking figuratively; it has been widely noted that the name Peter means "rock." But just over one hundred years ago, The Catholic University of America set about building its own church on a literal rock—in this case, a massive block of polished black granite weighing four tons.
The foundation stone for the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception was laid on September 23, 1920. But, like Rome, the Shrine wasn’t built in a day. This exhibit delves into the early history of the Shrine—from its inception up until the intermission in its construction beginning in 1931.
Segregation and Desegregation at The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. has a complex history of inclusion and exclusion based on race. This history is reflected in its policies of segregation and desegregation spanning the late nineteenth through the first half of the twentieth century. This exhibit offers an overview of that history, recounting how the University was founded in the 1880s with an admissions policy of accepting African American students, came to embrace official exclusion of Black students through segregation after 1914, then ended its exclusion of Black students with the integration of its Sisters College in 1936. The exhibit reviews the school's prehistory with respect to African Americans, the official practices of segregation and desegregation after the school was established in 1887, and includes highlights of contributions of particular African American students who attended the school from the 1890s-1970s period.
The Tower: Its First Century
Since its first inssue in 1922, the campus newspaper, the Tower, has documented the daily lives, events, and opinions of the Catholic University community. Explore a selection of its rich history, spanning 100 years and 129 editors-at-large!
WORKERS: Exploring Labor in the Strishock Print Collection
This student-curated online exhibition explores the theme of labor through a selection of works from the Strishock Print Collection, and it was organized as part of the course Museum & Gallery Practices Today led by Patricia Ortega Miranda. During the Spring of 2023, students worked collaboratively and individually to define the exhibition’s theme, select the artworks, conduct research, and write catalog entries. The exhibition celebrates workers as an important subject matter in art, providing a thoughtful meditation on the social, economic, and cultural history of labor while highlighting the artistic value of each print.
The Road Goes On: Exploring Tolkien's Influence Through Catholic University's Special Collections and Rare Books
"The Road goes ever on and on,
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say"
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Long-expected Party"
The inspiration for this exhibit comes from the iteration of Bilbo’s famous walking song, featured above. One would be hard pressed to find a contemporary fantasy novel today which has not been heavily influenced by Tolkien, and his work has inspired a great deal of academic research as well. In this exhibit, you will find not just people who have been inspired by Tolkien’s work, but things that influenced Tolkien himself, and helped him shape Middle-earth as we know it today. When it comes to the field of Tolkien studies, the road truly does go ever on and on. May scholars and enthusiasts everywhere continue to walk it for many more years.
A Century of Educating Educators at CatholicU
The exhibit chronicles the Department of Education's history at The Catholic University from the 1900s to the early 21st century.