Old Broadbrim Weekly, no. 30, April 25, 1903. Photo courtesy of the Villanova University Digital Library.

On this day in history (June 16, 1884), the first roller coaster in America opened at Coney Island, in Brooklyn, New York. “Known as a switchback railway, it was the brainchild of LaMarcus Thompson, traveled approximately six miles per hour and cost a nickel to ride.” This week’s “Throwback Thursday” (TBT) is a dime novel from Falvey’s Dime Novel and Popular Literature collection. Follow Detective Josiah Broadbrim as he looks to solve a mystery on Coney Island. Read the full story here.

Kallie Stahl ’17 MA is Communication and Marketing Specialist at Falvey Memorial Library. Her favorite amusement park is Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.

By Anna Jankowski

https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:538294#?c=&m=&s=&cv=1&xywh=-5062%2C-167%2C12352%2C3333

This spread from the 1953 edition of the Belle Air yearbook shows students walking outside of the Jake Nevin Fieldhouse. Even though this image was taken nearly 70 years ago, not much has changed.

Crowds of students, family, alumni, and local fans will still gather to watch Lacrosse games at the Villanova Stadium this season and then disperse in a similar fashion to cross Lancaster Avenue. Next Friday, April 29, is the final home game for the Villanova Men’s Lacrosse Team. Head over to the stadium at 7 p.m. to see the Wildcats play Georgetown before the Big East Tournament!

Anna Jankowski ’23 CLAS is a Junior Communication Major from just outside Baltimore who ​​works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant in Falvey.

By Anna Jankowski

Source: https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:538294#?c=&m=&s=&cv=6&xywh=-518%2C-213%2C5623%2C3333

This spread from the 1953 Belle Air yearbook displays a picture with an aerial view of our campus back then. You can spot the Library in between the centerfold. The Villanova Library was rededicated to the Rev. Daniel Falvey, OSA, in 1963, so the building looked very different on the inside and outside.  Many buildings here today are missing, but the St. Thomas of Villanova Church is still standing proudly.

Have a great Easter Weekend, Wildcats!

Anna Jankowski ’23 CLAS is a Junior Communication Major from just outside Baltimore who ​​works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant in Falvey.

By Anna Jankowski

In honor of Admitted Students Day tomorrow, Falvey Memorial Library wants to welcome all the new Wildcats to campus with this throwback collage. In this you can see clippings from the Villanovan, ticket stubs from Villanova Basketball games, Villanova exam books, and the Blue Key Society Seal. We would like to thank the Blue Key Society for creating an amazing event to welcome all our new students to campus!

Source:https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:562156#?c=&m=&s=&cv=1&xywh=2472%2C1687%2C2033%2C1205 

Anna Jankowski ’23 CLAS is a Junior Communication Major from just outside Baltimore who ​​works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant in Falvey.

By Anna Jankowski

https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:549706#?c=&m=&s=&cv=&xywh=-1036%2C-131%2C4373%2C2592

This Saturday at 6:10pm, the Wildcats will face the Jayhawks in the first Final Four game of the NCAA tournament. Campus is abuzz with excitement and Villanova team spirit! Check out this pin from the 1985 NCAA tournament when the Wildcats made an appearance in the Final Four. That year, the team went on to win the Championship. We are wishing our Men’s Basketball Team the best of luck this weekend as they attempt to bring home another trophy!

Anna Jankowski ’23 CLAS is a Junior Communication Major from just outside Baltimore who ​​works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant in Falvey.

By Anna Jankowski

Villanova College Band, 1926
source: https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:591455#?c=&m=&s=&cv=&xywh=-792%2C-136%2C4583%2C2716

1989
Source: https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:656390#?c=&m=&s=&cv=&xywh=-735%2C-120%2C4469%2C2386

Even though Villanova University does not currently have a music major, the Villanova Band, in various configurations, has become a staple at our sporting events. Here they are in 1926 and in 1989. These photos highlight how the look and feel of the band has changed throughout the years. Recently, the Villanova Alumni Pep Band was featured on The CBS Morning Show!

In addition, tune in tonight at 7:30 p.m. to see Villanova’s Alumni Pep Band support the men’s basketball team in the Sweet 16!

Anna Jankowski ’23 CLAS is a Junior Communication Major from just outside Baltimore who ​​works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant in Falvey.

By Anna Jankowski

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Check out these colorful and festive whiteboard displays the library has showcased throughout the years. All whiteboard display photos have been saved in Falvey’s digital collection and were created by Falvey’s resident artist and graphic designer, Joanne Quinn.

2011 St. Patrick’s Day whiteboard sketch

2015 St. Patrick’s Day whiteboard sketch

2016 St. Patrick’s Day whiteboard sketch

In addition, here are some links to great resources about the history of St. Patrick’s Day all from Falvey’s collection!

St. Patrick’s Day
Consuming St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland; A Memoir of his Life and Mission

Anna Jankowski ’23 CLAS is a Junior Communication Major from just outside Baltimore who ​​works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant in Falvey.

By Anna Jankowski

Happy March! The first day of Spring is just 18 days away! Let this flowery blast from the past remind you of warmer days.

Here, a young girl from a family in Wisconsin is seen posing in a field of flowers while collecting some in her arms. The photo, taken in 1919, mirrors the pics snapped by modern Instagram influencers.

You can find this image in a family photo album available through Falvey’s digital collection. According to the information, “The photograph album is 90 pages includes 70 pages of multiple photos…The photos include views of; California Missions & Travel; Early Tent Campers; Swimming; Little Boy in Indian Costume; Antique Automobiles; a few shots of Railroad Trains; Family Photos & Children; quite a few photos of young woman in period glamour poses.”

Anna Jankowski ’23 CLAS is a Junior Communication Major from just outside Baltimore who ​​works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant in Falvey.

By Anna Jankowski

Photo of Belle Air Terrace in 1990s

Recent photo of Belle Air Terrace

Midterms week is almost over, you can make it to Spring Break! For today’s TBT, check out this photo of the Belle Air Terrace in Connelly Center from the 1990s from Falvey’s digital collection. Can you spot some of the differences from the way Belle Air is set up today? 

For the final push of midterms studying you can find perfect study spots all over campus, including any floor of Falvey and in the Old Falvey Reading Room. As soon as you’re done, you can fully enjoy break and hopefully some warmer weather!

Anna Jankowski ’23 CLAS is a Junior Communication Major from just outside Baltimore who ​​works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant in Falvey.

Ad from The Villanovan in February 1974

Photo by William P. Gottlieb/Ira and Leonore S. Gershwin Fund Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress

Next Tuesday will mark the 47th anniversary of Miles Davis’s performance at Villanova! The ad above is from an edition of The Villanovan published in February of 1974. Check out his beloved music on Spotify or click here for a quick synopsis about “arguably the most influential jazz musician in the post-World War II period.” Be sure to look into more resources and information on this iconic performer in the Falvey Collection, or check out the books linked below.

• MILES ON MILES : INTERVIEWS AND ENCOUNTERS WITH MILES DAVIS
• MILES DAVIS, MILES SMILES, AND THE INVENTION OF POST BOP
• THE STUDIO RECORDINGS OF THE MILES DAVIS QUINTET, 1965-68

Anna Jankowski ’23 CLAS is a Junior Communication Major from just outside Baltimore who ​​works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant in Falvey.