Our curated Then & Now photos highlight how much our campuses, communities, mascots, and more have changed since 1869. Slide the photos from left to right to see the remarkable differences and similarities between then & now. Stop back each month for updated photos.
Purchased for the college in 1870, Berry Hall was the largest private residence in Allegheny County at the time. It rapidly transformed from mansion to all-purpose space for the brand new Pennsylvania Female College, providing bedrooms, classrooms, a kitchen, and a dining room for faculty, students, and staff. The original Berry Hall was torn down in 1953 and rebuilt to accommodate new generations of students. Today, Berry is home to our admissions office and the starting point of our campus tours.
(left) Berry Hall II, 1986, University Archives & Special Collections / (right) Berry Hall II, 2015
Rachel Carson ‘29 arrived at Pennsylvania College for Women intent on becoming a writer. During her sophomore year, however, she took an introductory biology class with Mary Scott Skinker that changed everything. The rest is history. Jennae Reken ’15 is now entering her medical school residency and like Carson, relying on the benefits of female mentorship: “There is a network of women that exists who will support you,” says Reken.
(left) Rachel Carson, 1962, Rachel Carson papers, Beinecke Library / (right) Jennae Reken, 2015
The Howe-Childs Gate House is the oldest existing house from Pittsburgh’s “Millionaires Row.” The house was constructed by Pittsburgh industrialist and politician, Thomas Marshall Howe and first occupied by his daughter, Mary Howard Childs and her three children. In 1986, the City of Pittsburgh designated it a Pittsburgh Historic Landmark. In 2000, Chatham acquired it and engaged in a green restoration that closely approximated the original appearance. The Gate House now provides lodging for campus guests.
(left) Gate House, 1980, University Archives & Special Collections / (right) Gate House, 2003